Need Classical Rec's please

[samschu]

Hey,

So, I want to expand my classical collection. My dad has hundreds of classical CDs but I don't know where to start looking. The classical music that I listen to currently is Beethoven's 9th Symphony; Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2; and Mozart's 25th, 29th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Symphonies. Also, Mozart's Requiem. I love all of these. Does anyone have any specific recommendations of symphonies or piano concertos for me to seek out in my dad's collection?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[Tyson]

Sure, check the link in my sig, tons of stuff, by category and by composer.

 

[samschu]

Awesome, thanks.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Try The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music. (Amazon)

Excellent book and I'm sure your father's collection will have most of what's listed. If you enjoy the Ninth, try Beethoven's Fifth, Sixth and Seventh. The Seventh is my favorite. His Eighth is pretty good, too, but doesn't get as much attention as the rest.

Dvorak's Ninth (New World) Symphony and Holst's Planets are must listens, as well.

If you haven't gotten into Bach, try the English Suites. I've been giving them a few listens lately and I love his harpsichord concertos.

You might want to give a listen to some 20th Century minimalism, too. Look for works by Phillip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Part, and Jean Sibelius. They're not like the works you've been enjoying, but they're worth listening to. It took me some time to warm up to the 20th Century, so you might not like them right away, but give them a listen every so often along the way.

 

[samschu]

Thanks for the reply Uncle Erik, can't wait to find and listen to those.