I've got the classical bug.

What classical bug have you got? It would help in suggesting something.

BBC Radio 3 used to have a "how to build a classical music library" or somesuch.

give gardiner/ORR playing the beethoven symphonies on DGG Archiv a listen. start with the third symphony. you won't be disappointed.

ha derry and mikeescman ive been listening to mahler and beethoven i like the conductor otto kemperler if that helps tel

if you are looking for some more modern symphonic works, give the prokofiev symphony no. 5 by levine/chicago a try.

what is it you like about otto?

Listen to more of Mahler (mahler?) and Beethoven (beethoven?) conducted by otto kemperler (Otto Kemperler?) then...

Where to start?

Goodness.... Classical music is so varied... some fairly easy listening and some extremely demanding.

But the link above is a good read.

There is an enormous amount of good advice on this forum about classical music (and jazz, folk, prog and lots of other genres) - for classical this is a great starting thread http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3801938...422961407#4422961407 as indexes other threads.

Still as others have said Classical is not a genre as it is vast and I know one poster of this forum loves some classical music (e.g. Bach) and is less keen on others (e.g. Mahler) - it would much easier to recommend folk music, not simply because I'm more familiar with that genre, but because it is less varied than the classic world - I just don't think Mozart sounds like Messian at all, yet both are classical and both created some of the greatest music that one is ever likely to hear.

Give the the thread above a look, it may help.

ATB Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by TerryFranks:
can some one suggest a very good recording of any classical music thanks tel

Let's not forget the "very good recording" part of the question.
Here is a very good recording (in my opinion) of some classical music:

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet.
The Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Lorin Maazel
Decca 4529702.

Excellent recording, both as a performance and technically. Dates form the 70s and none the worse for that.

It's long, but it's a 'numbers work', ie lots of self contained scenes. Even if you don't think you will, you'll recognise the Dance of the knights. And the Dance of the taxi drivers is quite good, too.

that Romeo and Juliet is killer.

i think you should go explore all things Prokofiev :-)

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:

i think you should go explore all things Prokofiev :-)

Mike (or anyone!), if you haven't heard the recording of Prokofiev's 2nd piano concerto in G minor, played by Yundi Li and conducted by Seiji Ozawa, you must ... phenomenal!

And that the disc also includes Ravel's luminous G major concerto, with its achingly beautiful slow movement, is icing on a very delicious cake.

I'd say anyone with the classical bug should take these two and call me in the morning.

Best,
Fred

thanks to all replied tell

when I was in my 20s a knowing friend said to explore ballet and dance music, so I bought Stravinsky's Firebird. WOW, just dazzling, then Petrushka, more WOW!

Watch out for the Rite of Spring, that's a really big leap in Ballet, but really wild and wonderful.

I want to revise my opinion. I advised Prokofiev. I should have advised Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

... and about Stravinsky, look for the Fairy's Kiss, Pulcinella and maybe even the Symphony in C, if you are in an angular mood :-)

There's a lot more to Stravinsky than those three ballets, although the three ballets would be three times much for an ordinary mortal ...

Have fun! go Russian!

oh I agree Mike but seems those 3 are best known and loved. I have that Stravinsky conducts stravinsky and a couple other albums with more obscure stuff. He was a wonderful composer. Eventually I found Bartok's music for Strings Percussion and Celeste, that's another 20th C high.

wolf2, stravinsky is my pick for personal favorite composer of the 20th century. he wrote so much beautiful music in so many different styles, it's hard to comprehend.

but prokofiev is hard to ignore. when he's good, he's really, really good. i think his 5th symphony and his violin sonatas are highlights.

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:

prokofiev is hard to ignore. when he's good, he's really, really good. i think his 5th symphony and his violin sonatas are highlights.

Mike, do you know his 2nd piano concerto in G minor? Mind blowing and beautiful.

Best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:

prokofiev is hard to ignore. when he's good, he's really, really good. i think his 5th symphony and his violin sonatas are highlights.

Mike, do you know his 2nd piano concerto in G minor? Mind blowing and beautiful.

Best,
Fred

yes, i love that piano concerto, and how did i forget his 1st violin concerto?

Prokofiev is one of the greats. In the 50s and 60s he had a stellar reputation, where many thought him the greatest 20th century composer. his fortunes have fallen since then. it's a shame.