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Compilation Cd's for Classical?

post #1 of 10
12/25/06 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
For me, buying classical music is a daunting task.
The sheer volume of music that is available is staggering.
Although I know a bit about modern classical, id like to get into some of the Romantic Period.

I have a cd named "Minimalist" performed by the London Chamber Orchestra; its a compilation of modern minimal pieces by Reich, Adams, Glass, etc.

This was a great intro CD for me.
Any suggestion for something similar covering the Romantic Period (any instrument(s))
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post #2 of 10
12/26/06 at 9:16am
Here is THE classical compilation. 100 classical pieces from different eras and different styles.

http://www.amazon.com/Top-Masterpiec.../dp/B00008L428
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post #3 of 10
12/26/06 at 11:02am
That's not the best way to go. That set seems to have bits and pieces of everything by minor ensembles. Do a search and get Tyson's list of the warhorses and use that as a guide.
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post #4 of 10
12/26/06 at 12:56pm
hmmm... True, there is bit too few large ensemble pieces, and too money trumpet and piano crap. But its still good compilation.
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post #5 of 10
12/26/06 at 2:25pm
EMI's "100 Best" series. Each set is 6 CDs. The cost, a mere $18-$20 per set from Amazon. An absolute bargain and probably one of the best introductions to the world of classical music.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m/...ywords=100+emi
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post #6 of 10
12/26/06 at 7:58pm
These compilation sets are the things that some distinguished looking guy is hawking in infomercials on late night tv. They are always snippets of larger works made for the masses who want culture without effort. One movement of a Vivaldi work followed by a chorus from Handel or a Scarlatti keyboard work. All from their better recordings, but nothing substantial -- like a bite of steak, a tablespoon of soup, a teaspoon of crème caramel, a nibble of pommes duchesse... It's a tasting menu designed to fill you up without nourishing you, and after you cover all the periods, it gets very costly. Classical music isn't like pop where you can get compilations of top 40 hits and do fairly well.

Here's a link to Tyson's list. It's a good guide as is the one given by ClassicsToday.
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post #7 of 10
12/27/06 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
Point taken Bunnyears.
The problem for me is not that I dont want to put in the effort ( I have a over 1300 cd's in my current collection) I just have no clue where to start.

Most importantly, I cannot stand the big, overly dramatic pieces used in TV commercials and movie soundtracks.
And that is where everyone keeps telling me to "start".

I want the darker, more emotional stuff-that might also be initially more challenging.
I love modern classical and listen to everything from Tech Step Drum n' Bass to Led Zeppelin to Yanni. So I feel I do have mature, seasoned ears.

That said-maybe a couple of names and pieces to start with?
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post #8 of 10
12/27/06 at 8:29pm
Deeper, darker stuff? Amazingly, that stuff that you deride because it's overused was the most revolutionary stuff around when it was first composed.

Darker?

Give me an example of what you consider dark, please. I'm pretty sure that a Bach cantata might not cut it for you, and nothing could be darker than BWV 21 where Bach questioned his faith in God because his wife died suddenly while he was on a "business trip."

The Marche Funebre from Beethoven's 3rd Symphony is also as dark as anyone could wish, but if you are looking for some dark 20th century music why not try Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Ballet Suite, or any of Shostakovich's symphonies. Nielsen or Malcolm Arnold might also suit you as well. You can find Arnold's symphonies from Naxos and Nielsen's by Blomstedt with the SFSO.

Bernstein's Kadish and Adam's on the Transmigration of Souls are also darker works.
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post #9 of 10
12/28/06 at 8:49pm
Ditto on EMI's "100 Best" series. I got this one for my b'day last year, and I can't stop listening to it.. cant get bored of it
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post #10 of 10
12/28/06 at 8:56pm
Anything worth doing is worth putting effort into. If you are interested in Classical music, the best idea is to choose an obvious place to start, like Beethoven or Tchaikovsky symphonies, ask for recommendations of good recordings and dive in. Think about what you listen to and read about the piece. Every classical CD will lead you to another, and every composer will open your ears and mind to other composers. Classical music is an ocean of great music. You can't expect someone to be able to put a few drops of it on a CD and do it justice.

Here are ten good starting places...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=134171

See ya
Steve
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