So much classical, but where to start??

[richieb1971]

I like classical music, but I end up buying a lot of stuff that doesn't do it for me.

So far I've got a couple of Beethhovens, Mozart etc. I've got a blu ray audio of Vivaldi 4 seasons coming.

I think what I'm looking for is dramatic classical music that is memorable. Can anyone recommend any hires discs that have fine SQ in 5.1 but have that "memorable" or "famous" vibe to it.

I think my problem is i've heard a lot of music that I just don't have a clue what its called or what symphony its from. Help me out guys!!!

Thanks.

[Johnny Vinyl]

You might try SA-CD.net.

[Thomas Irwin]

Here is a relatively inexpensive one. It's hard to get much more dramatic or memorable than "O Fortuna" in my opinion. A personal favorite of mine, and a somewhat ubiquitous piece that most people are probably at least passingly familiar with. I can't personally vouch for the quality of the disc though.

http://www.amazon.com/Carmina-Burana...4834667&sr=1-2

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: O Fortuna - YouTube

[ilovenola2]

Originally Posted by richieb1971

I like classical music, but I end up buying a lot of stuff that doesn't do it for me.

So far I've got a couple of Beethhovens, Mozart etc. I've got a blu ray audio of Vivaldi 4 seasons coming.

I think what I'm looking for is dramatic classical music that is memorable. Can anyone recommend any hires discs that have fine SQ in 5.1 but have that "memorable" or "famous" vibe to it.

I think my problem is i've heard a lot of music that I just don't have a clue what its called or what symphony its from. Help me out guys!!!

Thanks.

Hi, Richie, and this Joe hopes you have a wonderful trip searching through the vast and varied world of "classical" music. I am a retired classical music public radio DJ and love to recommend works and composers. I can help with the music but am not too familiar with "hires" discs, etc.

I think you might like mid-nineteenth century and early 20th-century works by such Europeans as Grieg, Dvorak, and more. The works of Richard Strauss (not to be confused with the "Johann Strausses") are powerful (you know the opening to "2001" certainly---- Richard Strauss.) You might enjoy Strauss' hour-long 'Alpine Symphony,' which gloriously depicts sunrise-to-sunset in the Swiss Alps! Gorgeous! The orchestral interpretations of Richard Wagner's works-- particularly from the Ring Cycle, Lohengrin and more...well, there's so many to recommend. Try Russian composer Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," a famous piano work in its orchestration by Ravel. It's a "warhorse" so it's a great intro to wonderful melody and orchestration.
It goes on and on so I'll just say to feel free to PM me anytime and I'll be glad to recommend both pro and con. For instance, stay away from those "compilation" cheapos you might spot in the sparse "classical" section at Best Buy. And if you don't care for a particular piece, composer or type--- don't worry! You have the right to dislike as well. Peoples' tastes, thank God, vary!!
I must say, though, that I'm not too up on the blu-ray releases of orchestral performances but I have a superb set of the Beethoven Nine symphonies from Vienna which is wonderful.

Long enough note here. Good luck and say Hi and enjoy. Joe aka ilovenola2