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New to Classical Music - Album to try first??


Hi all,
I have a very important question to ask..

I know good music with talented people and good recording when I hear it..and I have good ears..

When I listen to an artist that I haven't heard before, It is actually very easy to tell if you will like their music...If you hear a few cuts that you want to listen to AGAIN, that is the start of it...you listen to the cuts again and you start having favorites.. on good albums you will have a couple of real favorites, on great albums you may have 5 or more favorites..now you are really on to something...a nice music excursion.

That is exactly the way that most good music comes into my life, and I would think that it is much the same for most audiophiles..

I listen to classic rock, jazz & female jazz singers, some country and many kinds of other music..I am open to all music by talented people and especially love well recorded, dynamic examples on a good system..

Now here's the question.
I have NEVER listened to classical music, but I would like to try some now..
What one album would you suggest for me to try first?
- It has to start somewhere..

Please take your time to answer..and I will borrow or buy the one most suggested, and am looking forward to it..

Thanks,
Joe
joe55ag
roc_doc
55 posts
 
As if there was any further need for this, I will put in my agreement with the suggestion about the local library. This is an unbelievable opportunity that people just don't take advantage of enough. Whenever I go, the classical CD's are very rarely checked out, just sitting there waiting for me to play with... Take home, listen, then look for and buy for yourself what you like.
rja's avatar
rja
2,356 posts
 
The library is the most cost effective way to sample all this fare without spending thousands of dollars. Free is always nice!
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
shadorne's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

Agreed - the Lorin Mazel version with the CLeveland Orchestra is OTT! It may not be the moving interpretation but it sure is fun.
jhsjhs
13 posts
 
I asked something remarkably similar a couple of weeks back, but I asked for ten pieces of music. Someone recommended a book you can get on Amazon (or anywhere else), called The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection. It lists 350 major works, and the author's opinion as to the best recordings of them. I will pass on the recommendation--it has given me some context for understanding the music, and a little comfort around which version of the various pieces I get. Have fun!
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