Help a Classical Beginner

[George]

Sure!
Bernard Ulf Ullshit ( Stockholm 1789-1871), Bertram Alderdash ( Birmingham 1893-London 1971), Benoit Alonéy( Reims 1564-Florence 1610)

I can picture Bart Simpson now - "Yes, I'd like to speak to a a Mr. Ullshit, first name, Bernard Ulf?" 

[Daverz]

It's important for beginners to realize the best of that diversity/vast timeline,

In that spirit, a selection of 20th century music:

 









Another list could be made of more conservative composers from the earlier part of the century.  This would include an older Prokofiev and a younger Schoenberg!

[RussellG]

I started at the top of this list about four years ago:  http://www.npr.org/programs/pt/features/pt50.html  (the page is screwing up a fair bit in my browser but still readable).

I bought most of the top 20 (usually, but not always the recommended performance), then started picking and choosing from the rest, and finally broke away from the list altogether once I'd learned enough.  It's fun to revisit actually and see what I still have, and what has been replaced.

[Diletante]

I started at the top of this list about four years ago:  http://www.npr.org/programs/pt/features/pt50.html  (the page is screwing up a fair bit in my browser but still readable).

Nice essentials list. Too bad it doesn't have any Rachmaninoff or Schoenberg/Berg/Webern.

[Kuhlau]

I'm a music lover with an extensive library of music but almost none of it is classical. I've always wanted to explore classical, but I've found it extremely hard to get started. I have no knowledge of what CDs to buy; which ones will be great and which ones will be a waste of money.

My knowledge of composers is no better than the average guy on the street and my familiarity with the music is mainly from commercials and growing up watching Bugs Bunny. (Shameful, I know.)

So, help a guy battle ignorance and help me find a toe-hold in this confusing (to me) genre. What I'm hoping is that someone can give me specific direction, tell me exactly what 10 CDs will teach me what I need to know to start exploring on my own. Remember, I have no knowledge here, generalities probably won't get me started.

This is something I've wanted to do for years, so I leave my classical music future in the hands of you, the experts.

Thanks!

Hi Robertson

As well as plugging my reviews, which are aimed at those just starting out with classical music, let me also mention that you'll find a wealth of links to other informative sites by going to the 'Resources' page of mine. Just take the link from my signature below. And do please report back periodically to tell us how your classical music listening is going.

FK

[Bogey]

Very nicely done, Mark.

[DavidRoss]

Hello, Robertson, and welcome to the GMG forum.  As you can tell from all the posts so far, folks here are eager to assist you in discovering this treasure trove of music.  You probably also have begun suspecting that there are no "10 CDs" or even "10 pieces" that everyone will agree on, so it's difficult to choose when so many people you don't know are recommending so many different things.  Classical music lovers are no less passionate about their favorites than pop music fans.

One resource I always suggest to help newbies sort things out is BBC Radio 3's classical website.  This offers a variety of streaming programs and some very helpful archives.  I especially recommend the Discovering Music archive of past shows exploring both matters of general interest and in-depth looks at specific works, usually including a complete performance of the work in question.  Here's the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/discoveringmusic/listeninglibrary.shtml

Before you rush out and buy 10 CDs based on someone's suggested list, you might try listening to some of these programs to learn what types of music have the most immediate appeal for you.  Then begin buying selectively to explore those particular genres, periods, and composers.  Note also that many libraries have classical CDs available.  Even a small local library is likely to have several of the core works in the classical canon. 

You might also take a look at the Good Music Guide recommendations for essential CDs, found here: http://www.good-music-guide.com/essential/index.htm

FYI, a similar thread with many specific recommendations can be found here.

Good luck...and please come back to let us know how you're getting on.

[Benji]

You could sign up for a free trial subscription of Napster. They have a huge range of classical music to download, including just about everything anyone could ever recommend to a newbie. That way you can explore to you heart's content and just buy any discs that stand out. That's what I do and it works a treat.

And when you are ready to buy, always check out Amazon marketplace for bargain used discs to keep costs down, which is especially important when everything is new and exciting and you could happily buy everything. 

[RussellG]

Nice essentials list. Too bad it doesn't have any Rachmaninoff or Schoenberg/Berg/Webern.

You actually get a Rach piano concerto at number two on the list - it's coupled with Tchaikovsky PC1 on the Van Cliburn disc (I bought the Living Stereo SACD version of this, which sounds magnificent).

[George]

You actually get a Rach piano concerto at number two on the list - it's coupled with Tchaikovsky PC1 on the Van Cliburn disc (I bought the Living Stereo SACD version of this, which sounds magnificent).

I've recommended the Rach 2 CD by Richter/Wislocki (coupled with the Tchaikovsky PC 1 with Karajan) and they have loved it. Richter's Rach 2 was the recording that started my deep appreciation for the pianist. I don't think I have heard the Cliburn.

[marvinbrown]

I'm a music lover with an extensive library of music but almost none of it is classical. I've always wanted to explore classical, but I've found it extremely hard to get started. I have no knowledge of what CDs to buy; which ones will be great and which ones will be a waste of money.

My knowledge of composers is no better than the average guy on the street and my familiarity with the music is mainly from commercials and growing up watching Bugs Bunny. (Shameful, I know.)

So, help a guy battle ignorance and help me find a toe-hold in this confusing (to me) genre. What I'm hoping is that someone can give me specific direction, tell me exactly what 10 CDs will teach me what I need to know to start exploring on my own. Remember, I have no knowledge here, generalities probably won't get me started.

This is something I've wanted to do for years, so I leave my classical music future in the hands of you, the experts.

Thanks!

  Hello Robertson  , I hope my colleagues here on GMG have not driven you away, they are just joking around  and they did have some good advice (the public library is an excellent place to start).  I feel I should tell you that classical music is a constant discovery. I would never claim to be an "expert" as I find myself constantly learning.  All I can offer you is my experience with classical music.  I started with Mozart and found him to be an excellent entry into classical music and especially opera.  I used to watch (repeatedly) the film Amadeus, don't take the film very seriously but there is a wide selection of Mozart's music in there and it is very entertaining.  I will admit that I got hooked onto opera and vocals because of that film.  Good Luck!

  PS: Don't start with Wagner  0:), it's always best to leave the best for last  !!

  marvin

[RussellG]

I've recommended the Rach 2 CD by Richter/Wislocki (coupled with the Tchaikovsky PC 1 with Karajan) and they have loved it. Richter's Rach 2 was the recording that started my deep appreciation for the pianist. I don't think I have heard the Cliburn.

The Living Stereo SACD comes highly recommended George.  Number 53 in CDUniverse' all-time classical sales rankings!

[George]

The Living Stereo SACD comes highly recommended George.  Number 53 in CDUniverse' all-time classical sales rankings!

I have heard enough of Cliburn to know that he is not for me.

[jhar26]

I'm a music lover with an extensive library of music but almost none of it is classical. I've always wanted to explore classical, but I've found it extremely hard to get started. I have no knowledge of what CDs to buy; which ones will be great and which ones will be a waste of money.

My knowledge of composers is no better than the average guy on the street and my familiarity with the music is mainly from commercials and growing up watching Bugs Bunny. (Shameful, I know.)

So, help a guy battle ignorance and help me find a toe-hold in this confusing (to me) genre. What I'm hoping is that someone can give me specific direction, tell me exactly what 10 CDs will teach me what I need to know to start exploring on my own. Remember, I have no knowledge here, generalities probably won't get me started.

This is something I've wanted to do for years, so I leave my classical music future in the hands of you, the experts.

Thanks!

I've tried to make my list as varied as possible - from the late baroque to modern - from chamber music to symphonic to opera.


A cheap 3-cd box set with some of Bach's most famous orchestral music. Especially the Brandenburg Concertos are extremely popular. These recordings from Trevor Pinnock are classics.



I've only included some vocal works because they are such a important part of classical music. Handel composed (besides lots of music in other forms of course) many great oratorios, the most famous of which is the Messiah. I again choose Pinnock, but there are many good Messiah recordings.



The Opus20 String Quartets from Haydn (who practically invented the string quartet as we know it) on a double cd by Quatuor Mosaiques. This is Opus20, but other recordings from the Quatuor Mosaiques of Haydn Quartets are just as good.



A 8-cd box set of the Mozart Piano Concertos by Geza Anda. This isn't exactly cheap, but it definitely isn't an expensive set either considering what you get for your money.



Very cheap 9-cd set of all the Beethoven Symphonies and Piano Concertos by Otto Klemperer (conductor) and Daniel Barenboim (piano).



This is a solid 2-cd collection of some of Chopin's most popular music by Vladimir Ashkenazy.



Opera may be a hard nut to crack for the newcomer to classical music, but it's also very rewarding once you get into it. Carmen which was the first 'real' opera I ever heard did the trick for me. LOTS of great tunes that you will immediately recognize. This Karajan recording is maybe not the very best Carmen out there but it made an opera lover out of me.



Mravinsky's unbeatable recordings of the symphonies 4, 5 & 6 from Tchaikovsky on two cd's.



Bartok is one of the giants of 20th century music. This Fritz Reiner recording is a classic.



Adams is one of the more accessible living composers and thus ideal for the newcomer in my opinion.

[Grazioso]

One resource I always suggest to help newbies sort things out is BBC Radio 3's classical website.  This offers a variety of streaming programs and some very helpful archives.  I especially recommend the Discovering Music archive of past shows exploring both matters of general interest and in-depth looks at specific works, usually including a complete performance of the work in question.  Here's the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/discoveringmusic/listeninglibrary.shtml

Before you rush out and buy 10 CDs based on someone's suggested list, you might try listening to some of these programs to learn what types of music have the most immediate appeal for you. 

Heartily seconded. A very useful site for both beginners and experienced listeners. I'd spend some time exploring there, listening to classical radio, etc. before rushing out and buying a bunch of stuff. As we'll all attest, there will be plenty of "rushing out and buying a bunch of stuff" later 

[Kuhlau]

Very nicely done, Mark.

Cheers, Bill.

FK

[mc ukrneal]

I would inject one other element that I would highlight more and that is to get discs that have multiple composers. When starting out, you don't know what you like, so a variety is good as well (or perhaps a mix of some with just one composer and others with a wider variety). Buying 8 discs of music you hardly know is perhaps better after you have had a chance to hear the composer a bit first.

Some examples could include:
Collection of piano works/recital focused on a pianist (rather than one composer): could be Kissen, Horowitz, Pletnev, etc.
Disc of several violin concertos (Beethoven/Mozart combo for example)
Waltzes, Gallops, Polkas, etc. (several out there with Lehar, Strausses, Lanner, etc...)
Violinists (many discs of flashy pieces by multiple composers)
Frederic Fennell (Many discs with him and orchestra (often Eastman) that have multiple composers, favoirte it one with Holst Military suites on Telarc, but many others good as well)
Overtures and Ballet music discs (for example a two-for-the-price-of-one with Bonynge conducting)
Peter and Wolf (fabulous one with Sir Ralph Richardson, with music from Bizet, Debussy and Dukas too)

[Fëanor]

...

So, help a guy battle ignorance and help me find a toe-hold in this confusing (to me) genre. What I'm hoping is that someone can give me specific direction, tell me exactly what 10 CDs will teach me what I need to know to start exploring on my own. Remember, I have no knowledge here, generalities probably won't get me started.

This is something I've wanted to do for years, so I leave my classical music future in the hands of you, the experts.

Thanks!

Robertson, what wonderful advice you've received here.  Personally I'm going to follow up on many of the suggestions because I'm still very much a learner myself.

A list of 10 CDs is pretty short list: too short, but then a 100 item list would really be too short as well.  However, urged by some acquaintences even less knowlegable than myself, I put together the following list of about 30 compositions and recordings of same that seem decent to me ... Feanor's Not-Too-Condescending Guide for Classical Beginners

This list of mine is far from perfection and I need to keep working on it, but it stands for now.

[Que]

I hope Robertson will return to read all the suggestions members here took the trouble of posting...

Date Registered: March 27, 2009, 03:57:50 PM
Last Active:        March 27, 2009, 04:17:17 PM

Q

[ChamberNut]

I hope Robertson will return to read all the suggestions members here took the trouble of posting...

Date Registered: March 27, 2009, 03:57:50 PM
Last Active:        March 27, 2009, 04:17:17 PM

Q

So do I Que!  He'll have a lot of great recommendations and routes to work with if he does.