Looking for music to buy (recommendations)

[amandae]

I listen to our local classical music station when I'm working and studying. It really relaxes me. I don't pay too much attention, though, to "who" I'm listening to.

Because reception of this station is so touchy, I'd like to start a collection of classical music to play while I work/study. I love classical pieces that are "dramatic," not just light and fluffy. Although I do enjoy pieces that are a combination of "moods." I don't know if that helps any ...

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Fleurs du Mal]

1. "dramatic", "combination of moods"

Here's a sample of what I consider fits that bill.

Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition
Berlioz Symponie Fantastique
Lots of symphonies: Beethoven 5-9, Shostakovich 5,10,13, Sibelius 5,7, Prokofiev 5,7, Tchaikovsky 5,6, Brahms 3,4
Violin concerti: Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven
Quartets: Beethoven's mid-late (try the "Razumovsky" op. 59), Debussy
Piano: Beethoven concerto 3-5, most of Beethoven's sonatas, Rachmaninov concerti 2,3 and Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Tchaikovsky concerti , Prokofiev concerto 3
Violin sonatas: Beethoven 5-9, Brahms

[amandae]

6. Thank you so much for that list!

These are some great suggestions, and very detailed! Thank you so much! I now have some names to look for when shopping for my first CDs in my soon-to-be collection!

:hi:

[Fleurs du Mal]

7. np

If you need suggestions on specific recordings I'd be glad to offer some.

[lastliberalintexas]

2. Beethoven

Keep in mind that I have absolutely no music education and look at these things like a lay person! But I love Beethoven for exactly the characteristics you named in your post- dramatic, not just light and fluffy. And his pieces are constantly changing moods, speed, rhythm, and volume (you can't dance to Beethoven, after all). The ever popular 5th and 9th symphonies, but also Eroica and Pathetique. Someone else here who knows far more than I can probably provide you with the names of his other pieces to look for. But I have liked everything I've ever heard of his, so a simple compilation might be a good buy.

And I can't tell you the particular pieces to look for, but I can tell you composers that sound and feel similar to Ludwig for me- Musorsgky, Rimsky-Korsakoff, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Rossini, and even Wagner if you can get past the nationalism of his work. And if you like opera, I'd try Bizet's Carmen. If not, look for a "without words" production so that you just get the music. It's how I've gotten my husband to listen to Puccini, anyway!

[amandae]

5. We have a Baby Beethoven DVD & CD and my kids love it!

I enjoy it, too. Thank you for the suggestion, and for the list of other composers who are similar in style to Beethoven!

:hi:

[CBHagman]

3. How do you feel about vocals?

Are vocals allowed, or is it strictly solo instrumental, chamber and orchestral?

To start with, pick up Schubert for Two by Gil Shaham and Goran Sollscher and Baroque Masterpieces (on the Sony label).

[amandae]

4. I'm not really looking for vocals

I find that when I'm trying to study the vocals distract me.

Thank you all for the great suggestions!! I'm going to have to look into these before the next semester starts and school & work start back up again :)!

:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. The best way to build a collection is to

write down the name of pieces that you like when you hear them. Your classical station may have a website that carries the play lists.