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Is there any chance you guys can help a newbie out?

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Posted on April 30, 2000 at 09:02:40
bryan


 
I need help putting together my first viny collection and I want it to be a good one. Considering the cost of new vinyl, I can't afford many mistakes.

Classical is a relative unknown to me. I know I love it, but not all of it. Sometimes I hear stuff on the radio that makes my want to pull over to the side of the road because driving is to much of a distraction. But, it seems whenever I bought classical cd's I end up disliking and never playing them. I've decided that its time for me to change all that. On the hardware front, I've decided theres no place for digital in my main system right now; I've sold my cdp and am buying my first table. I've also decided to replace my speakers with something thats strenghts are related to music, not hifi. Most likely Spendors.

So, back to the music, and vinyl. I'd like to place an order for new vinyl and need some suggestions.

My likes are prety simple. I have yet to acquire a taste for full symphony. I'm not sure that to call the type of music I like so far. Small ensemble? Chamber? Trio, Quartet etc?

I also like piano, strings, piano and vocals. I really love vocals and piano.

Theres this cd called Music For A Glass Bead Game, which I'm sure you all know, from John Marks. I hate this cd. It was supposed to be excellant, according to you know who. This is not an example of what I like.

And, above all, its got to move me. Or not move me. If it glues me to my chair so I can't move, all the better.

Moving in the direction, but really need a map at this time,
Bryan

 

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Re: Is there any chance you guys can help a newbie out?, posted on April 30, 2000 at 11:15:55
MarkS


 
Bryan:

I don't know "Music for a Glass Bead Game," so I am operating in the dark as far as your musical tastes go, and I'm not really up on vinyl availability either. But I can suggest some basic chamber music that I love and mention good recordings that date from the analog era:

Brahms, Violin Sonatas (this is piano + violin); Perlman and Ashkenazy on EMI are hard to beat for sheer melodiousness.

Faure, Violin Sonatas; I bought Grumiaux and Crossley on Philips on the strength of "The Penguin Guide" recommendation, and have not been disappointed.

Beethoven, "Spring" and "Kreutzer" sonatas (violin and piano again); Perlman and Ashkenazy on Decca/ London.

Mozart, Clarinet Quintet; I've only heard one recording, but I think it is a fairly standard analog recommendation: Gervase de Peyer and the Melos Ensemble on EMI.

Dvorak, "American" Quartet (this is a string quartet: 2 violins, 1 violin, 1 cello). I know the Guarneri Quartet had a recording of this on RCA. Others may have other recommendations.

For voice, given your preference for intimate ensembles, one logical recommendation would be for lieder ("art songs," usually a single voice accompanied by piano), though I don't consider them quite so failsafe a recommendation as the above. Try to listen before you buy. There is a set of Janet Baker singing songs by Schubert on EMI (accompanist = Gerald Moore) that has attained classic status.

Hope this helps.


 

As one to another, posted on April 30, 2000 at 14:34:41
revjac


 
If you haven't already, search the archives here for suggestions for beginners - You might consider getting the guide to a classical music library that "Naxos" gives away (it's usually around most record stores.
But searching the archives here is the best - I do it continually and I still don't know anything - but that's only a testament to how large the genre is.
Best of Luck

 

Re: As one to another, posted on April 30, 2000 at 17:57:36
bryan


 
I'm adept at searching the archives for things I know, like hardware, jazz, pop and good flames, but I wouldn't know even one good search query for this one. I've even been quite adept at lurking on the lane for quite a while, and still have no idea where to start. I've read plenty of the "newbie" posts and corresponding replies, as well as the Fave lists from the likes of Ears, but I have no idea which ones might be ones I'd like. Its like reading Martian to me. I suspect most of them are for full symphony, but I don't know.

 

Re: As one to another, posted on April 30, 2000 at 20:24:02
SR


 
There are many lists that offer newbie suggestions but your post made me think of one to suggest. As a young man around 10 or so I got my dads recording of Rimsky Korsakov's "Scherazade" I listened to this over and over laying on the living room floor with my head between the speakers of the old Stromberg Carlson. This piece brought classical into my soul. It taught me how an orchestra should sound. It is beautifuly melodic and rhythmic. It exposes small parts of the orchestral ensemble and solo violin and harp also has powerfull brass moments. Highly recommended, it worked magic on me and was instrumental in starting me down a path that led to a music degree as a french horn player.


Enjoy


Steve

 

Re: Is there any chance you guys can help a newbie out?, posted on April 30, 2000 at 21:26:53
Larry


 
You'll get as many answers as there are people on this forum. Every classical listener has their own set of the "Best 50" pieces. If you have access to a library with a collection of classical music to lend, or there is a classical FM station in your area, those would be good places to start listening. Make notes of the things you like. (Even if you plan to collect vinyl, listening to CD's will audition the music for you.) Most classical music lovers have a strong basis in the symphonies and other works (concertos, sonatas, quartets) of Beethoven. You couldn't go wrong starting there. If you like those symphonies that will lead you to a lot of places. Others like to start with Bach, but in my opinion unless you have already had some experience with music, that will come later. Once hooked, you will like everything from Bach on to the current period. Those will a love of symphonic music frequently are fans of Beethoven, Mahler, and Shostakovich.

 

My public library has hundreds of classical cds - some books too!, posted on May 1, 2000 at 07:56:12
too cheap...


 
Pretty painless way to get into it. Try some Mozart "small ensemble" stuff (concerti, quartets, quintets). I second Brahms, Chopin.

 

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