Must-have classical music

Hi Peter - I am not the biggest fan of Classical music myself but I have discovered two recording that I can't live without. They are both from Reference Recordings and sound absolutely spectacular as well.

Eiji Oue (Minnesota Orchestra) - Bolero!: Orchestral Fireworks [RR-92]

Eiji Oue (Minnesota Orchestra) - COPLAND 100 [RR-93]

http://www.referencerecordings.com/Minnesota.asp

Try this for a wide range in age and instruments and should give you an idea what you like. Generally great sound, but focus on great music. I own these specific recordings, substitute at your own risk except the four marked with [*] where no substitutions should be made.

Vivaldi: 4 Seasons (Sparf, Drottningholm) - BIS
Bach: English Suites (Andra Schiff) - Decca
Mozart: Piano Concerto #20++ (Curzon) - Decca
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto (King, ECO, Tate) - Hyperion
Beethoven: Symph #5+7 (Kleiber) - DG (also as SACD) [*]
Beethoven: Rasumovsky Quartets (Borodin Q) - EMI
Verdi: Requiem (Atlanta, Shaw) - Telarc
Brahms/Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos (Heifetz) - RCA (also on SACD) [*]
Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos #1-4 (Ashkenazy) - Decca
Elgar: Cello Concerto and Sea Pictures (duPre, Barbirolli) - EMI [*]
Puccini: Tosca (Callas, diStefano, de Sabata) - EMI [*]

Mozartrules' entire list is excellent (would you expect anything less from that handle? :) ), and I would definitely endorse the Vivaldi 4 Seasons and the Beethoven Symphony #7 (the 5th is the classic of course, but the 7th really rocks), especially if we're talking about starting with the basics as you say.

I might add, again, for your base starting-out library:
Mozart Symphonies #40 and 41
Beethoven Piano Concertos #1 and 4 (although they are all great)
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition and Night on Bald Mountain (can frequently be found on the same disc)
Bach Organ works esp. the Toccata and Fugue in D minor (crank this one). There's an old E. Power Biggs recording that is amazing.

These are considered "war horses" by many, but are all lots of fun and a great foundation for your library. Great to hear of your interest in classical. This is something that I think you'll be able to enjoy more and more and for the rest of your life.

BTW, Mozartrules, Mozart is incredible, but Beethoven is my guy. The original rocker. :)

TheOtherTim

Thanks for the great replies everyone, that is exactly what I am looking for!

Chris, is there any way of ripping/playing the full 20 bit quality HDCD files on a Mac (I realise that if you don't have an HDCD equipped player it reverts to 16 bit CD quality but if I am paying for the extra quality I want to access it!)

Hi Peter - You can download the full resolution albums from HDtracks.com. These are still 16/44.1 albums no matter how you purchase them CD or download.

Again, highly recommended!

A good introduction to classical music would be the two Walt Disney movies, "Fantasia" and "Fantasia 2000". After you watched the movies, turn off the TV and just listen to the music. This will expose you to a variety of composers and styles of classical music, although mostly symphonic. These pieces of music are, for the most part, abbreviated versions, but long enough to get a good feel of each piece.

I was introduced to classical music when I was eight years old. My family went to see "Fantasia" at the theaters and I was instantly hooked. This was back in the 1960s. Volcanoes, dinosaurs, mythical creatures from Geek mythology, fairies, and a mountain that turned into a giant demon who torments naked souls! WOW! What more could an eight year old boy want!

I pestered my dad to buy the soundtrack which I played over and over. When I was in my early teens, some of the first albums I purchased were the full-length versions of the music from "Fantasia". Today I have over 700 albums of classical music in my collection and about 80% of the music I buy these days are classical.

Give it a try.

Philip

Thanks guys for this good thread. I'm using it to listen to some other styles even though I find it hard to forgo Robert Plant, FIXX and Alice in Chains. I know, I'm tryiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing .........

Well I have ordered some Bach (Toccata & Fugue E. Power Biggs), and some Beethoven (Symphony Nos 5, 7 Kleiber VPO and No 9 Haitink LSO) to 'dip my toes in the water' so to speak, per the recommendations in this thread.

I also bought a Brian Setzer CD 'Wolfgang's Big Night Out' which has some well-known classical pieces but with a big-band modern interpretation as a bit of a bridge between rock and classical (got to ease into these things you know!)

Innertuber, although I haven't heard much classical music, I think it is safe to say I will still find rock music my favourite style as that is what I heard most during my formative years, and while tastes do change, I think that period has a lifelong influence!

Excellent Peter, good to hear you took the plunge, or the "dip" as you said. As I mentioned, you might crank the opening Tocatta of the Bach as it's a real grabber. You'll wake the neighbors with this one. It's an older recording, but the quality is very good for back then, and the performance is astonishing, which is the important part. Keep in mind that it's one guy using both hands and both feet. I'd also be interested in your opinion of the Beethoven 7 recording that mozartrules recommended, as I'm always on the lookout for "reference" recordings of my faves.

I too am probably more influenced by rock than any other genre. Nothing like a good AC/DC (a nod to you there in Oz) or ZZ Top rocker to get the blood going. I always say, though, that I like anything that's done well, with some artistry and joy involved. So, enjoy!

TheOtherTim

Tim, re my opinion on the Beethoven/Kleiber recording:

Firstly I don't have another recording to compare it to, and secondly, being a classical neophyte, I wouldn't know a good from a bad performance, so I am sorry but I can't be much help to you there!
Perhaps mozartrules can highlight the things that make this a 'reference recording'?

If I look in iTunes, I have 2651 'songs' in Classical, all ripped as lossless, for a total of 62 GB of classical music. I'm not trying to brag, but just letting you know what can happen when you start seriously getting into classical music.

Some other suggestions I'd make for beginners (to add to those already mentioned):

1. Rimsky-Korsakov, 'Scheherazade', Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Fritz Reiner
2. Mussorgsky, 'Pictures at an Exhibition', ditto
3. Strauss, various Strauss waltzes, Wiener Philharmoniker / Fritz Reiner
4. Vivaldi, 'La Stravaganza', Rachel Podger / Arte Dei Suanatori
5. Ravel, 'Bolero, La Valse' etc, Boston Symphony Orchestra / Charles Munch
6. Part, 'Fratres', Hungarian State Opera Orchestra
7. Handel, 'Water Music', Boston Baroque / Martin Pearlman
8. Reich, 'Music for 18 Musicians', Steve Reich & Musicians
9. Glass, 'Symphony No. 2', Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
10. Gerswhin, 'American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue', etc,

My two cents on this, others have listed good pieces, but try these.

1 WAGNAR-The Ring of the Nibelung
2 WIDOR -Tocata from symphony No 5
3 TOLGA KASHIF - The Queen Symphony
4 RODRIGO- Concerto de Aranjuez
5 TCHAIKOVSKY - !812 overture
6 AARON COPLAND - Fanfare for a common man.
7 STRAUSS- Also sprach Zarathustra, op. 30

Heres a good link for you:
http://www.classicfm.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=9443

Gordon

For mozartrules or anyone else who might see this...

Last night we went to see the Charlotte Symphony do the Mahler 1st and it was amazing. I was already familiar with it, so knew what to expect, but it exceeded expectations. Wow. Tears in the eyes at the finale. Anyway, can anyone suggest their favorite recording of this, performance-wise? I have Solti and the Chicago which I like a lot, but I'm going to buy this for some family members to enjoy and thought I'd inquire. Thanks.

TheOtherTim

Two composers missing from the lists that must be heard and can always be appreciated (melodic, emotive, evocative) are Berlioz and Dvorak.

For Berlioz try Romeo and Juliet conducted by either Colin Davis or John Eliot Gardiner (Philips) or Te Deum conducted by Claudio Abbado. (DG)

For Dvorak try the last 3 symphonies as conducted by Colin Davis. (Philips)

Baxtus

NSW Australia

I can humbly point out these as well:

Bach, Solo and Double Violin Concertos, Andrew Manze, Harmonia Mundi
(Also If you can find: Conc. for Oboe and Violin and strings in C minor)

Bach, Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV564 (second movement), Herrick, Hyperion (CD includes the other more popular BWV565 as well)

Schubert, Symphony 8, Bernstein, DG

Mozart, Requim, Marriner, Philips

Mozart, Great Mass in C minor, Marriner, Philips

Barber, Adagio for Strings / Satie, Gymnopedie 1 & 3 / Faure, Pavane – Slatkin, Telarc

Ravel, Pavane, La Valse

Tchaikovsky, Symphony 1

Tchaikovsky, Sleeping Beauty

Movie: Tous les matins du monde (soundtrack is available as well)

Those albums are just wonderful Burak. I especially love the Bach Violin Concertos.

Baxtus

Thanks, Baxtus. They recall some nice mood of my youth as well.

You'll have all of the classical music buffs coming out of the woodwork with this one Peter. I probably have about 6-700 CDS (a small collection) which I'm slowly digitising and enjoying rediscovering as I do so. The main thing is to listen widely - and just to find things you enjoy. You have had some good suggestions so far. Here are some more at random:
Vivaldi: L'estro armonico - Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah - Dunedin Consort - CD or download from Linn - it's a wonderful recording
The Devil's Trill - Palladians - also Cd or download from Linn - another corker!
Beethoven Symphonies - the Kleiber version of No. 7 is a recognised classic of course - however a newer version of the symphonies you may enjoy is conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (I may cause some controversy with that recommendation!)
The suggestion of the soundtrack to Tous Les Matins du monde is a good one I think, the french baroque can be a fertile ground for someone who enjoys rock or jazz, as it really swings: try some Lully or Rameau for example. The spanish baroque too is worth a try - have a listen to some of Jordi Savall and Hesperion XX(I)'s recordings on Astree - Auvidis and you'll see what I mean.
Other music I can't live without is the Melos Quartet's recording of the Debussy and Ravel String Quartet; Martha Argerich's Ravel piano concerto in G; and that's without even starting into cello music or vocal or opera....

But then of course for a change of mood, being from Oz, I might switch to Nick Cave, Ed Kuepper or Hunters and Collectors ; )...

Enjoy your musical journey, wherever it leads you!
Julienne

Thanks some more everyone! Those replies are very useful.

Julienne, I am partial to The Cruel Sea (among others!) myself.

Peter,

You can get the New Czech Radio recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, all the six of them (18 Flac tracks) from here:
http://www.rozhlas.cz/d-dur/download_eng/

I've just thought it might interest you, as well as others.

Very nice, Burak, thanks so much for the link!

TheOtherTim

You're welcome!

A year ago my goodwife said she was going to replace the Pioneer CD player she had gotten at CostCo that fell apart (all the parts broke one after another and all was toast within three years) and I told her to wait. I went looking for a real stereo, but did not find any in the stores. Then I discovered the vintage market. It was possible to get a super stereo, one part at a time, using Craigslist and we now have a setup that the showrooms in the 60's and early 70's would have featured for their most well healed clients (not the drooling visitors with empty pockets such as us). I then discovered that the aging boomers were selling off their father's classical record collections by the cartloads, for peanuts, and we picked up almost two thousand lp's in short order for next to nothing. It has been an education. There appear to have been several must-have compositions in each collection... such as Beethoven's 9th, Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, and such like, which gave me an opportunity to compare the orchestras, the conductors, and the record engineering... and I can tell you it makes a huge difference. As important as the work itself is the particular recording of it. I wound up with four versions of Brahm's Symphony No. 4, and one of them, Angel records Chicago Symphony version conducted by Giulini was so very poorly recorded that it was difficult to sit through after having heard the others. So if anyone has a strong recommendation of a particularly brilliant recording of a work, it would also be useful to know.
The best recording of any Vivaldi works I have ever heard is Hogwood's Academy of Ancient Music's "Vivaldi Concertos" DSLO 544 issued by L'oiseau Lyre in the mid 70's. It is an incomparable and delightful performance and arrangement of instruments and the highest possible quality of recording.
Then there are the recording of particular virtuoso performers which are also worth seeking out, such as the Cellist Pierre Fournier, the Pianist Friedrich Gulda, the Oboists Heinz Holliger and Leon Goossen, and then there are the particular instrumental works such as Mozart's and Haydn's bassoon concertos and oboe concertos and flute concertos. You can also download excellent contemporary performances of many classical works by exploring the Classical Cat website at
http://www.classiccat.net/index.htm
I highly recommend the performances by the violinists and cellists who have posted to that site.
One of the previous posts include in their recommendations Arvo Part, the modern day choral composer from Estonia who creates medieval inspired religious music. I wish I could get a recording of the two short Christmas works he wrote that were performed during this year's European Christmas broadcast, I think it was from the Munich concert... amazing works of art.
Anyway, that's all one self-educated construction worker has to say on the subject.

You can pick up some great pointers by listening to classical music stations as well. My personal favorite being KMFA in Austin. They will play a lot of stuff and they always tell you what they are playing. :) http://www.kmfa.org

Also, look into some "Jazz" stuff, which can and often does border straight into classical. Philip Glass, Claudette Stone, Dave Brubeck, etc. Great stuff! You can find a lot of this stuff available for free (legally I mean!) over the web. http://www.claudettestone.com/ http://www.philipglass.com/ http://www.davebrubeck.com/live/

Also, look into the web sites like Magnatune- they have stuff by new artists that are not signed to labels. The cost of the music is very reasonable. I found a a great Album there by Harlan Williams, _The Glass Desert_. It's some really interesting guitar music. http://www.magnatune.com/artists/harlan_williams

Finally, don't forget to browse around on iTunes, and download ant free classical tracks they have up there!

-Paul

Peter,

First of all, I have to say go for it. You have so much enjoyment ahead of you. Some stuff needs a lot of repeated listening before it reveals itself but that usually turns out to be the stuff that sticks with you. I am with Timh - I love the Beethoven Piano Concertos. I remember a phase at age 15 listening to nothing else but #1 over and over for about a year and just sucking more out of it every night. I would go for #1, #3 and #5 as the most 'approachable' and I still like the Pollini /Berlin Philharmonic version on DG or the recent Lang Lang version of #1.

Prokofiev's 'Classical Symphony' is a no-brainer as is Stravinsky's Rites of Spring and, of course, Beethoven Symphony #5 (I go with Karajan). After you have memorized #5, please go and see it live with a good orchestra. Enjoy!

- John.

Wowsers! This is so impressive, thank you all for the fantastic information. I'm planning to start my education with Fantasia, because that sounds like the most fun.

Can we move on to Jazz recommendations for beginners now, or should I start a new thread?

For jazz, you could not go wrong starting out with:
John Coltrane- Blue Train
Freddie Hubbard- Open Sesame
Charles Mingus- Ah Um
All fifty year old performances, surprising given how they could have been created yesterday and hit top of the charts today as the most amazing new sounds ever heard.
I should add that to me there are two types of Jazz... the over the top kick-ass sort of music that you can't believe and takes you in and drains you but leaves you glad to have taken the trip, and the lounge music sort of jazz that is in its own way comparable to the classical nocturnes... late night music to sooth your overworked mind and calm your nerves... and my favorite sort is the nocturne. There are many. When I was young I didn't get it. Now that I am old I get it. It really heals the brain at the end of the day. Anyway, one of the best Jazz recordings ever is Coltrane's version of I'm Old Fashioned.

will give you an idea of the vast array of classical music available.
However one builds a list it can be overwhelming. I find still is to me and I've been collecting for over 50 years.

Just know that sooner or later you'll have more than one version of The Planets by Gustav Holst. I prefer the LA Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta.

What an amazing hobby this is!