New to classical music: advice please

[Hitch]

For something to read, I recommend The Vintage Guide to Classical Music. It's a helpful and highly readable overview of the subject, with plenty of listening suggestions. You should feel far more informed after reading it.

Your avatar shows promise.

[EdgeleyRob]

This site is ok with sound clips and short biographies etc

http://www.last.fm/music/+tag/classical?page=1

[Don Petter]

I was going to recommend Yarborough House, as being rather nearer you than the others suggested, but am51 beat me to it.

I haven't been there for a while, but remember them as having a pretty good second hand stock. Happy hunting!


(As others have said, if you can give some indication of your first explorations which you find interesting or attractive, there will be plenty of suggestions along the lines of 'If you like that, try this ...'.)

[JoeG]

I'd agree with Tchaikovsky - he was my favourite composer for a number of years when I first got into orchestral music in my teens. Beethoven is also a good starting point (I find Mozart too lightweight but there are some good tunes in there). Vaughan Williams and Sibelius shorter pieces (Tallis Fantasia, Dives & Lazarus, Folk Song Suite, Finlandia, Karlia Suite, etc are also good starting points before you progress to their magnificent symphonies.

For more contemporary music I would choose John Adams and Arvo Part and James McMillan Veni Veni Emmanuel (which has at its hart the recognisable tune so that the development of the piece is more understandable than much contemporary music.

Welcome to a thrilling world - you will certainly get lots of advice and encouragement here!

[Osborn]

I know you asked about CDs but I suggest you should try to attend pretty much any concert or recital you can. The prestige of the performers or venue doesn't matter too much - being part of a live event in a big hall is much, much more rewarding than listening to a CD in your living room or car. I own far more concert programmes than CDs!

[Suffolkcoastal]

Try looking at what other board members listen to, on the What are you listening to now? thread (under performance), you get a good idea of the variety of classical music from MB's various diverse tastes. If you have any questions about the pieces I'm sure fellow MB's would be happy to provide some information and pointers for you.

[Colonel Danby]

Ágree with all the posts above, but I would suggest perhaps Britten or Prokofiev as starters: "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" is not as stilted as it might seem, and it's not just for kids. And 'Romeo and Juliet' is a glorious score, packed full of memorable tunes.

I myself started out with Rimsky-Korsakov, Bach and Beethoven, and you really can't go wrong there. And if you're in London, a trip to the BBC Proms might be an idea: for 5 pounds you can stand up in the arena, and hear the greatest music in the world, played by the best orchestras.

Happy listening!

[Three]

Thank you to everyone for their suggestions. It is so kind of you all. :)

As for what I have discovered so far, Tchaikovsky (I particularly like his Swan Lake), Beethoven (The 6th symphony "Pastoral" and his violin concerto in D major), have really thrilled me. I have also heard, but not yet bought, Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart which I enjoyed.

I have also (on the recommendations here), started watching The Proms and have set my pvr to series link for them.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Three, your initial experiences are not dissimilar to my own. I began with Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Mozart's 40th Symphony and Beethoven's Pastoral.
Follow your instincts.

And don't miss Swan Lake (complete) live on Radio at the Proms.

[Old Grumpy]

I would second the suggestion of the Rough Guide to Classical Music. Spotify or other streaming websites (see separate thread on this) will enable you to have a taster without paying a penny. Also (despite what has been said in other threads here) I find BBC Music Magazine very informative and good value (especially as a subscriber). The cover CDs are often often very good.

Finally, why not try Jazz too!

[Three]

I would second the suggestion of the Rough Guide to Classical Music. Spotify or other streaming websites (see separate thread on this) will enable you to have a taster without paying a penny. Also (despite what has been said in other threads here) I find BBC Music Magazine very informative and good value (especially as a subscriber). The cover CDs are often often very good.

Finally, why not try Jazz too!

Funny you should say that... I bought a copy of BBC Music Magazine this morning, along with the JS Bach cd. Haven't listened yet, but looking forward to it as I have read good things about it online.

Also heard Holst's "Jupiter" from the "Planets" on the Breakfast show and really enjoyed it, so that's added to my list!