PaulDA

Re: Need Help Starting a Classical Collection

I've suggested this to a few friends and they've all been happy with it:

Start with the RCA Living Stereo SACD series. They are inexpensive, mostly great performances and have very good sound quality (startlingly good considering their age). These titles have been re-issued in just about every audio format for good reason. Of course, there are some individual recordings of the same material that are more recent and, arguably, better, but for the money and cross selection of music--it is where I would start.

I would also privilege Naxos--very affordable and good to excellent quality (they have some hi-res titles but not many--still worth getting in redbook). Naxos is an especially good way to sample composers with whom you may not be familiar, given the very low prices and good quality of recording.

With a solid foundation from these two sources, you can then start identifying the specific pieces you find most appealing and then buying different versions.

I don't just give this advice to others, by the way, I follow it myself. I've branched out a bit as I've become a bit more exposed to various classical pieces but Naxos got me started, in large measure, and the RCA Living Stereo titles that I have have yet to disappoint me.

Good luck and enjoy.

P.S. If you live near a town with a symphony--attend some concerts. That's also a great way to discover music.

Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes time, and it annoys the pig.