[Uncle Erik]

I'll second the recommendation of Arvo Part.

You might like Britten's Simple Symphony, as well.

Look into 20th century minimalist classical. 20th century has gotten something of a bad rep from some of the more experimental composers, but there's much from the 20th century that is hugely listenable and deserves a wider audience.

 

[majid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif 20th century has gotten something of a bad rep from some of the more experimental composers, but there's much from the 20th century that is hugely listenable and deserves a wider audience.

That's just because the crud hasn't decanted yet, unlike that of previous centuries.

 

[classicalguy]

I have one word for you. Mozart, Mozart, Mozart. Maybe Haydn too. This is a good place for you to start. I think people recommending romantic and modern music are missing the point of what you are looking for. Mozart piano concertos or chamber music would be a great place to start.

 

[TickTockMan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicalguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have one word for you. Mozart, Mozart, Mozart. Maybe Haydn too. This is a good place for you to start. I think people recommending romantic and modern music are missing the point of what you are looking for. Mozart piano concertos or chamber music would be a great place to start.

I second the Mozart and Haydn.

Mozart Symphonies Nos. 28, 29 and 35 conducted by Claudio Abbado with the Berlin Philharmonic is one of my all time favorite CDs.

 

[pdennis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicalguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have one word for you. Mozart, Mozart, Mozart. Maybe Haydn too. This is a good place for you to start. I think people recommending romantic and modern music are missing the point of what you are looking for. Mozart piano concertos or chamber music would be a great place to start.

This makes no sense to me.

Sure, the OP said that Mozart was closer than Shostakovich... but I hardly see how you can draw your conclusion from that. Some people jibe with Mozart and Haydn, some don't. The OP is going about this in a very sensible way, IMO: informed experimentation.

That said, I'd be interested to know what motivated the recommendations of Riley and Ives. Great music, but I wouldn't have suggested them in this thread any more than I would have the Mahler. You need to learn how to listen to them (Riley & Ives, not necessarily Mahler) much more so than with, for example, Debussy.

 

[Night Surfer]

The *** Adagios recommendation was brilliant.
I now have the Guitar Adagios, Violin Adagios, Cello Adagios, and one that I am especially enjoying: Midnight Adagios.
Compilations were a good call as I can get a taste of many composers/periods.
It's a good start and I am excited as to where it will lead me, thanks everyone!

 

[classicalguy]

The problem with greatest hits is you're not hearing the whole piece as the composer intended. Movements were not written as separate individual songs. They were an integrated part of a single song. You're missing the point of the piece by disembodying the movements from the entire piece. If you want to learn and grow as a listener, you need to listen to complete works.

 

[Tetromino]

Definitely Debussy!

Nocturnes/La Mer..