How to go about collecting Classical Music


At age 68 I’ve started to like Classical Music. It’s been mostly Jazz, Rock n Roll, and R&B up to now. I’m familiar with those genres, know their history, artists, and how to best and most economically acquire their recordings. Not so the Classical repertoire which covers a much longer time period and encompasses so many styles and forms.

What genres and/or periods of Classical music should I be exploring? I’m not looking for recommendations on particular composers or artists, only genres or periods. In Classical music there is orchestral music, chamber music, opera, church music and who knows what else to try out. Maybe you could advise me, if you wouldn’t mind, of some types to try? Or maybe you could recommend a book on the subject that would help a rookie get a start understanding what’s out there.

In buying classical music, for any one work, there may be innumerable recordings by various artists, orchestras and ensembles. How do you sort out which recordings you want in that respect. For example, I looked up Stravinsky’s Rites of Spring on Ebay last night to get some idea of pricing and what classical music available there. There were so many recordings of that work, I would have no idea how to sort out which would have been a good choice. Are there web sites where there are recommendations on which recordings are most exceptional? Or alternately, are there classical record labels you can rely on routinely to provide superior quality recordings? I’ve heard Deutsche Gramophone may be a reliable label for one, but that’s about it. Could you recommend any other labels to look for?

There seems to be a lot of Classical music in SACD format relative to Jazz or Rock n ’Roll. Is there some reason for that? Should SACD be the format of choice for purchasing Classical music, or is there good classical material in Redbook format to be found? I prefer to stay away from used vinyl due to condition issues, or new vinyl due to cost. I’m guessing the better dynamic range of CD’s lends itself to orchestral music. Is there any market for used classical SACD’s? Are there any sites you prefer to purchase your Classical CD’s, either new or used?

I grew up on Long Island. On one trip to midtown Manhattan I walked into an old church not too far from St. Patrick’s to view its’ magnificent stained glass window. Once inside I heard some equally magnificent classical organ being played. I discovered the church’s incredible organ was being played by some of New York City’s finest classical organists who would book time to practice on it. That large church was always deserted, and I went back many times for what amounted to free private concerts. I’d like to know what kind of music that was to try and replicate that experience to some degree at home, From what I’ve read here and elsewhere there surely is a plethora of other wonderful Classical music to explore and enjoy. Thanks in advance for any advice,

Mike






skyscraper
The Living Stereo 60 CD collection first volume is quite good. It is fairly diverse and is audiophile approved, all tube recording from the late 50's and 60's. Also the Mercury Living Presence Edition 1 a 50 CD set is tremendous. Both of these collections have sold out, but you can find on eBay. Be patient as collectors have driven up the prices. You will also understand why so many of these recording were made into SACD discs. 
Bluemooddriver, appreciate your input , but I’m maintaining a streaming -free lifestyle for now for the reasons expressed explained up- thread.

Jonathanje, I would like to try some SACD’s if I can find some reasonably priced, possibly used, ones. I haven’t begun looking to see what’s available yet. I do have a nice CD/SACD player fairly recently acquired, a Marantz KI Ruby, but only two SACD’s to utilize the SACD function thus far. I’ve got to move on the Marantz SA8005 CD/SACD player it replaced that’s now languishing on a storeroom shelf. But I haven’t gotten around to doing so yet since I’m avoiding even going to the post office to ship things with the pandemic in full swing here.

Jdane, I like your attitude, Might as well find out what you like and stick with it at this point in the game. I simply need to explore what’s out there at this point and find what I do like. I honestly don’t know why I developed a taste for classical music now. I listened to Maria Callas singing ’"Ave Maria" on youtube last night and thought it was beautiful. A few months ago I might have done the same and been nonplussed. Now I cant live without it. Might as well be who you are and pursue what appeals to you when it does.

Jimmy2615, thank you for your suggestions on organ music, and sharing your experience listening with your A3’s. One of the reasons I did get the A3’s was hopefully not to need to supplement their bass response with subwoofers.

What are a few of your organ favorites if you don’t mind my asking here, especially nicely recorded ones. I will look up "Cavaille Coll" as you suggest and search out the Hans Fagius material. I’m really looking forward to finding some great organ recordings to listen to. I’ll need to learn the differences in styles to between periods too. Should be fun. don’t be surprised to get a pm once I get going on this. Thanks.

Georgreab. I’ll look up the Living Stereo and Living Presence collections you suggest. Appreciate the recommend.

Thanks again all,

Mike


Lately, I’ve been checking out better records site to get an idea of what classical recordings they think sound spectacular. Instead of buying them there as it can get quite expensive, I look to ebay or discogs. There, I locate the records that are in vg++, excellent, near mint, & sometimes even still sealed. Yes, there is no guarantee i will get my hands on a pressing that is deemed "the best sounding" as determined by better records, but I’ll take my chances to save money. This is not to say I do not buy from better records, as I have bought many.

Just to add, 68? That is a late start! Jeez, I was in my late teens when I started buying classical records lol, I'm 53.
California station KDFC recently published a list of their listeners' top 250 most requested classical pieces. You can download the list and listen to the stream on their website.  I listen to the station most mornings via the Tunein Radio app streamed on my Sonos Connect.  Likely not the quality of Qobuz, but it's free!   
Try JAV recordings Daniel Roth at St. Ouen de Rouen, and Vincent Dubois at St. Sulpice, both SACDs.  Excellent examples of the genre and these organs.  If you seek out the Fagius Bach set, do NOT get the SACDs, sound quality is not great, get the CDs.  If you want to have fun with Bach (baroque genre) look for a Virgil Fox live CD either at the Filmore East or Carnegie Hall for a completely different take on this music. They may not be in print, may have to find used.