Classical music recommendations?

[basite]

I've been listening to classical music quite alot recently, but since I don't know that much about it, I thought it might be interesting to start a thread about it...

I was looking at Feanor's list of 250 core classical compositions, hoping to get a little wiser, but I only know some names from the list.

I like the 'heavier' (is that the correct word to use), more modern (20th century) classical music. I really like Shostakovich, of which I have the 4th and the 13th symphony (the 13th took ages to find...), and others like Stravinsky (of which I have 'le sacre du printemps' and 'The firebird'). So I'm looking for classical music that is 'similar' to the afromentioned...


so, Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance,
Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[JohnMichael]

Bert some of the classical music that started my enthusiasm were Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition", Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" and Holst's "Planets". I would also recommend Mahler's "Symphony No.1 in D". Recent favorites are from a series called LSO Live and two from that series are Beethoven "Symphony No 3" Eroica and the "Symphony No 9" Choral with Bernard Haitink conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Tschaikowsky "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra no. 1 in B flat minor is another favorite. Mozart's "Requiem" and Orff's "Carmina Burana" if you like vocal works.

[Feanor]

I've been listening to classical music quite alot recently, but since I don't know that much about it, I thought it might be interesting to start a thread about it...
I like the 'heavier' (is that the correct word to use), more modern (20th century) classical music.
...
so, Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance,
Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Hi, Bert,


Here are a few "robust" pieces excerpted from my aforementioned list that might meet your criteria ...
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 374pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=498 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 135pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 6582" width=180><COL style="WIDTH: 239pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 11629" width=318><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: black 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: silver" width=180 height=17>Composer</TD><TD class=xl25 style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: black; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: silver" width=318>Composition</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ("Eroica"), Op. 55</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No. 5 in C minor ("Fate"), Op. 67</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No. 9 in D minor ("Choral"), Op. 125</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>COPLAND, Aaron</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Fanfare for the Common Man</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>COPLAND, Aaron</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Rodeo</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>DVOŘÁK, Antonín</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.9 "New World"</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>HOLST, Gustav</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>The Planets (suite)</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>JANÁCEK, Leos</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Sinfonietta ("Military," "Sokol Festival"), JW 6/18</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>MAHLER, Gustav</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.1 "Titan"</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>MAHLER, Gustav</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.5 in C sharp min</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>MUSSORGSKY, Modest</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Pictures at an Exhibition, (orchestrated by Ravel)</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>NIELSEN, Carl</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.4 "Inextinguishable", FS 76 (Op.29)</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No. 1, Op. 10</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.10 in E minor, Op. 93</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>SIBELIUS, Jean</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>STRAUSS, Richard</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Also Sprach Zarathustra Op.30</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>STRAUSS, Richard</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), Op.40</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>TCHAIKOVSKY, Pyotr Il'yich</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.5</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver 0.5pt solid; WIDTH: 135pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=180 height=17>TCHAIKOVSKY, Pyotr Il'yich</TD><TD class=xl26 style="BORDER-RIGHT: silver 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: silver; BORDER-LEFT: silver; WIDTH: 239pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: silver 0.5pt solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=318>Symphony No.6 "Pathetique"</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[basite]

Thanks, I'll try to check them all out, but keep them coming, others might also find use in this...

BTW, are there any pieces, not meeting my 'criteria' that you think I should definately try out?

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[3-LockBox]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">By all means check out Vivaldi.

Mozart's 3 Divertmenti for strings (if you can find it) This piece was written and arranged by Mozart for a Left-Right presentation, so it lends itself to stereo playback very well. I have a copy of this on the First Impressions Music label, an audiophile label that specializes in obscure recordings. I doubt you'd want to plunk down the money for this though. The only reason I have it is because I won it in a speaker building contest (that, and a another FIM remaster). Its an XRCD and it sounds superb.
</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[bobsticks]

I like those mentioned thus far. It's probably important to check out the Solti version of "Mahler's 8th" on Decca as it is widely considered the preeminent version of said piece. A personal favorite is Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks and maybe some of the Bach Cantatas...Telarc has a great disc from Pearlman and the BB of Bach's Mass in B Minor. Where's Pat D. when we need him?



...BTW, are there any pieces, not meeting my 'criteria' that you think I should definitely try out?.

There's such a wide range of material out there ranging from "modern" to "weird" that you should be able to find something for every mood and occasion. I've given Copland's The Music of America a few times and Alan Hovahaness has done some interesting things with symphonic workings of Korean folk music accompanied by guitar. I like Yo Yo Ma's The Soul of the Tango which is as far from your criteria as one can get and not be wearing sequins.

Have fun.

[Feanor]

Thanks, I'll try to check them all out, but keep them coming, others might also find use in this...

BTW, are there any pieces, not meeting my 'criteria' that you think I should definately try out?

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Since you ask, I'm a huge chamber music fan. Here are a dozen great works of that sub-genre ...

<TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width=619 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD width="37%" bgColor=#c0c0c0 height=20>
Composer
</TD><TD width="63%" bgColor=#c0c0c0 height=20>
Composition
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Sonata for Violin & Piano No.9 Op.47, 'Kreutzer'
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Trio for Piano & Strings (No.7 Op.97 "Archduke")
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
BORODIN, Alexander
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Quartet No.2 in D
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
BRAHMS, Johannes
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Trio for Piano & Strings No.2 C maj Op.87
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
DEBUSSY, Claude
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Quartet in G minor Op.10
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
DVOŘÁK, Antonín
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
String Quartet in F Op.96 "American"
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
JANÁCEK, Leos
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters"
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
MENDELSSOHN, Felix
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Octet for Strings Op.20
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
RAVEL, Maurice
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
String Quartet in F major
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
SCHUBERT, Franz
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Quartet No 14 "Death and the Maiden"
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
SCHUBERT, Franz
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
Quintet in A "Trout" D.667
</TD></TR><TR><TD width="37%" height=20>
SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri
</TD><TD width="63%" height=20>
String Quartet No. 8 Op.110
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Pat D]

Where's Pat D. when we need him?

Oh, I look in here every couple of days or so to see if there's anything I can learn or contribute. But Feanor and the rest of you guys are doing so well I'm afraid basite will get information overload.

A lot of overtures are robust works. Most are overtures to stage works but some are simply stand alone orchestral pieces similar to tone poems. Some major composers of overtures are Mozart, Beethoven, Weber, Mendelssohn, Berlioz, von Suppe, Auber, Wagner.

Then there are symphonic poems. Some major composers are Liszy, Tchaikovksy, Rachmaninoff, and Sibelius.

Some (mostly) orchestral works I don't think have been mentioned are:

Sibelius: Second Symphony, Violin Concerto
Sibelius: Four Legends of the Kalevala aka 4 Lemminkainen Suites, Karelia Suite
Rachmaninoff: 2nd Symphony. Also Nos. 1 and 3
Rachmaninoff: Isle of the Dead tone poem (possibly the greatest of all tone poems)
Rachmininoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4 (2 and 3 are most popular)
Debussy: La Mer
Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole
Mahler: Symphony No. 4, Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
Puccini: Turandot (opera)
Piston: Symphony No. 4,
Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 5, Peter and the Wolf
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet ballet, Alexander Nevsky Cantata, Lt. Kije
Hovhaness: Symphonies Nos. 2 (Mysterious Mountain) and 50 (Mt. St. Helen's Symphony)
Harris: Symphony No. 3
Subotnick: The Wild Bull (electronic)
Wendy Carlos: Switched On Bach (electronic)

More off the beaten track:

Toshiro Mayuzumi: Samsara tone poem, Nirvana Symphony, Mandala Symphony (these are strenuous works). Essay for String Orchestra. I'm on a kind of Mayuzumi kick right now.

[basite]

Seems I already had Mahler's 5th symphony (in C sharp minor) in my collection...

I just forgot about it...

Played it yesterday. Liked it, different than Shostakovich & Stravinsky though, but good :)

Thanks for all the recommendations so far :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[emaidel]

Learning to enjoy classical music is a lot like learning about wine: the more you learn (and hear), the more you realize you don't know. That's not meant as a slur, but as a statement as to just how much there is to learn and appreciate about both. As a classical music lover, and certified "wine snob," I can assure you that's the case with me.

I think Feanor's recommendations are worthy, and he's to be commended for putting together such a list. Still, if you like your music "robust," there's no comparison to many of Tchaikovsky's works, and I'd highly recommend looking into his symphonies 1, 4, 5 & 6. The last two movements of the 4th will give your system quite a workout: the third movement is quiet and lush, and the last movement will cause serious speaker damage at its start if you're not careful with the volume control! Another very melodious composer is Rachmaninoff. His second symphony as well as his PIano Concerto #2 are justifiably famous, and wonderful to listen to.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Telarc label, since most of Telarc's recordings are not only top-notch in terms of their sound, but also most provide outstanding interpretations as well. Click onto their web site, and you'll find a large listing of classical CD's for good prices.

You'll find, as you continue to listen to various compositions, that you may want to start collecting more than one recording of certain pieces, since each conductor interprets the piece differently, and sometimes those differences are startling. I have over 5 different recordings of Beethoven's 9th, and like something about each one, and am still trying to find, at least for me, the "definitive" version of that symphony, both in terms of fidelity and musical interpretation.

Happy listening, and welcome to the wonderful world of classical music.

[basite]

Happy listening, and welcome to the wonderful world of classical music.


Thank you, classical music is something special indeed, and I've already found out that you need to 'find' your classical 'style'...

I like classical music alot, but my heart will always be with Jazz though...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[E-Stat]

I've been listening to classical music quite alot recently, but since I don't know that much about it, I thought it might be interesting to start a thread about it...
Great thread. Many of my faves have already been mentioned, but I'll throw in a couple more:

Holst: Suites 1 and 2 / Cleveland Symphonic Winds on Telarc
Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite
Hanson: The Composer and His Orchestra
Copland: Appalachian Spring

I confess that I also enjoy a lot of soundtracks from composers like Bernard Hermann, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer. The Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban has some really nice music in it that runs the gamut of emotions. The Whomping Willow cut is one that will knock your socks off, while Secrets of the Castle is a sweet, haunting tune. Another blockbuster one is The Thin Red Line. The opening drums in Air will test your woofers for sure!

Enjoy!

rw

[Spancticles]

mahler 9th bernstein
mozart requiem karajam
beethoven 9th karajan
verdi requiem solti
moussorgsky pictures stokowski