[XXhalberstramXX]

whoops, Mahler's 2nd as well as Verdi's Requiem and Puccini's Turandot all have singing. the first is a symphony with a choral conclusion (much like Beethoven's 9th), the second is a Requiem (go figure), and the third is an opera.

sorry boot that

 

[wagnerian]

Mahler Symphony No. 1, Mvt.4. Played by the Chigago Symphony on DG (Deutsche Grammophon) The bass hits harder than anything else I can think of! Very intense! Very cool! Everything else mentioned above will do the trick to.

 

[XXhalberstramXX]

Is that the Pierre Boulez recording?
I think i have that one too, and the sound is certainly awesome.

 

[wagnerian]

You bet it's Boulez, pretty good eh.

 

[roll-man]

If you're going to do it, do it right. Forget about samplers, collections and watered down stuff meant to crossover. Get yourself a copy of Shostakovich Symphony # 7 "the Leningrad". It will give your cans a first class workout. It is a wonderful piece of music with plenty of thrills, chills & spills. I especially like the Chandos version by the Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Neeme Jarvi. It is chandos #8623 . It's a can't miss!

 

[XXhalberstramXX]

yeah, listen to roll-man. samplers suck. most of the music here is worth buying the whole CD of, and not worth buying any little part of. with just one movement or breif section, you miss out on most of what makes classical music great.

and shostakovich is great (my faves are 7,8,10 but i haven't heard many of them)

 

[JustinKantor]

Try Stravinsky Rite of Spring, though that might be destracting for studying purposes...

I love the Kodaly unaccompanied Cello Sonata, get the Janos Starker Recoding on Delos, it's a classic.

Bartok Concerto for orchestra is really great too. I had a recording, I think with Szell that was good, it also had Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

 

[radrd]

And here I thought this thread was dead. I'm glad I checked it again.

I think I am going to start with buying the actual CDs rather than collections like Heavy Classix. I think I will start with Shostakovich, Mahler, and Holst and go from there.

Thanks for the suggestions, and I would definitely appreciate more.

 

[XXhalberstramXX]

Good decision.

just make sure to add Bruckner to that list (especially 8 & 9). sounds like with those composers, you should be fine. have fun and good luck!

 

[coolvij]

JustinKantor: That is my all time favorite classical piece - the Rite Of Spring is at once beautiful and dissonant......awesome stuff.

 

[coolvij]

JustinKantor: That is my all time favorite classical piece - the Rite Of Spring is at once beautiful and dissonant......awesome stuff.

 

[Old Pa]

I've got a late 70s Telarc recording of Maazel and the Cleveland Orchestra doing Moussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and "Night on Bald Mountain". It's a great recording (dynamics and soundstage) and both selections are what you are talking about. I do not know if it made it to CD, but that's what my Planar 25/Benz Glider are for!

 

[radrd]

After doing some research beginning with your recommendations, I have settled on the following five recordings to start my classical music collection.

Mahler: Symphony No. 1
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...324528-7511711

Holst: The Planets
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...324528-7511711

Bruckner: Symphony 8
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...324528-7511711

Shastakovich: Symphonies 1, 7
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...324528-7511711

Shastakovich: Symphony 8
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...324528-7511711

I just used Amazon for links; I probably won't buy most of them there, but those are the exact recordings I am planning on purchasing.

I think this is a pretty good start. What do you think? I would greatly appreciate any further comments.

 

[Xevion]

Looks like a good start, but I think you need Beethoven's 9th in there. Yes, there are vocals, its Ode to Joy, and it is one of my favorite pieces, and it is one of yours too.

 

[zoboomofo]

I hope you like the Mahler cd. His other stuff is great too! If you still can't get anything done with the music, try Baroque. Its got a beat that's conducive to studying or so I'm told.