Hello!

[Shrunk]

Having lurked here for a while, I'd like to introduce myself.  I'm 42 years old, live in Toronto, Canada, and am a relative newcomer to classical music, being mainly into jazz, rock, blues, hip hop, "world" etc. previously.  I haven't given up those interests, but in the past couple years I've been diving into the classical tradition with a passion, and buying records as fast as I can listen to them.  And when I say "records", I mean just that, the LP being my preferred medium, though of course for recent releases I'll make do with CD's.

Anyway, the level of knowledge on this group seems pretty deep, so I imagine I'll mostly be lurking for the time being, but I hope to be able to make some contribution whenever I can.

[Harry]

You are most welcome. Beginner or not, try to participate in discussions, that way you learn a lot.

[Maciek]

Welcome!

Do tell us a little more about your likes/dislikes. Any favorite record(s)?

Cheers,
Maciek

[SonicMan46]

Having lurked here for a while, I'd like to introduce myself.  I'm 42 years old, live in Toronto, Canada, and am a relative newcomer to classical music, being mainly into jazz, rock, blues, hip hop, "world" etc. previously. .....

Shrunk - welcome to the GMG Forum - wife & I love Toronto (need to get back to that city!) - plenty here to interest you - there is a 'non-classical musical thread' that you should feel comfortable in posting; hope to see you responding & posting in the near future! 

[Hollywood]

Howdy and welcome to the forum Shrunk. 

[knight66]

Welcome, I hope you dive right in and enjoy yourself.

Mike

[Shrunk]

Do tell us a little more about your likes/dislikes. Any favorite record(s)?

Well, some of my favourite records just off the top of my head (I make no promise that the list would be the same tomorrow!):

Machaut:  Messe de Notre Dame, Hilliard Ensemble
Bach: Goldberg variations, Gould (1955)
Bach: Cello sonatas, Rostropovich
Bach: St. Matthew Passion, Gardiner
Mozart: Don Giovanni, Giulini
Mozart:  Piano concerto's 23 & 24, Curzon/LSO/Kertesz
Beethoven: Symphony #3, PhilharmoniaO/Klemperer (mono)
Beethoven:  Cello sonatas, Richter/Rostropovich
Schubert:  Impromptus for piano, Brendel (Vox)
Schubert:  Die Winterreise, Fischer-Dieskau/Demus
Brahms: Violin sonatas, Suk/Katchen
Bartok:  Concerto for Orchestra, ChicagoSO/Reiner
Shostakovich: Complete string quartets/Fitzwilliam Qt.
Part: Tabula rasa (ECM)

As I look over that list, I realize it's rather light on the Romantics, which surprises me a bit.  I don't know if I would say I have any strong "dislikes" per se,  but I guess I have an affinity for the more tightly structured music of the Baroque and Classical periods, some Modernists, and the more "classically"-oriented of the Romantics, such as Schubert and Brahms.

[knight66]

Thanks for that, a good crop and not one that looks like a beginners list. In a year you will have caught the fever and it will be a rather longer list.

Cheers,

Mike

[Maciek]

Yes, I think it looks quite impressive too. Great performances!

[Haffner]

Wilkommen!

[Shrunk]

Thanks for that, a good crop and not one that looks like a beginners list. In a year you will have caught the fever and it will be a rather longer list.

Well, I don't want to leave the impression I'm a total newb.  I think I've already caught the fever, full on!  It's just that, compared to most the members here, I think I'll be receiving more than I'm giving. 

[bhodges]

Hi Shrunk, and welcome.  Another hearty "yea" for your good list, and I agree: after awhile it will be considerably longer!

--Bruce