From: "alexander inglis" <alexander.inglis@canrem.com>
Subject: beginning a classical col
Reply-To: "alexander inglis" <alexander.inglis@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: rec
Date: 4 Jan 93 14:58:19 EST

PG>1) How can one "break" into classical music?  My current collection
  >includes the grand sum of *2* classical CD's.  My current thoughts
  >are to get a book outlining the music of different ages (baroque,
  >romantic etc.), and start with the recommendations made as to great
  >works by the major composers.

Books are usually UNhelpful in getting started. Find a decent sized
classical department in your town. Browse a little. You'll discover
immediately what the big names are: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven are usually
the biggest sellers. Sample a few things. Until you get your feet wet,
try CDs from the major companies (EMI, DGG/London/Philips, Sony, RCA) in
their mid- or bargain-priced lines. Often you'll find *classic*
interpretations of mainstream music without having to pay full price.

PG>2) Last time I was at the local music store, I compared several CDs
  >of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, and noticed that the times differed
  >by as much as 1 minute!  Does this mean that it may be slightly cut
  >off in the shorter time performance?  This complicates CD buying.

Discrepancies in timings are usually the result of different tempi.
Sometimes, parts of a movement are optionally repeated (often first
exposition repeats of first movements). Don't worrry about this sort of
thing yet. If the work is actually *incomplete* it is normally clearly
marked as a "highlights" disc.

PG>3) Should one look only for DDD recordings as opposed to ADD or AAD?
  >This further complicates CD purchasing.

Irrelevant. Some of the most moving experiences I know are in mono
sound. As a general rule, more recent recordings (1980s+) will have
greater orchestral detail than, say, 1950s recordings. Until the
minutest details become overwhelmingly absorbing for you, ignore this.

PG>4) Should one look for particular condutors/orchestras performing that
  >piece?  This really complicates CD selection!

Not really. Instead, be adventurous. Don't be afraid to buy something
because you like the cover. Seriously. If you've heard one Beethoven
symphony, chances are you'll like another. But if that arty pointilist
graphic on a Ravel disc piques your interest, try it too!

The main thing in the early going: stick to the well troden paths, in
terms of repertoire and try to sample a selection from Bach through
Shostakovich, orchestral through chamber through choral. Don't
specialiize too much at first and try to buy complete works
(compilations of a movement from this and a movement from that are less
helpful than they might appear at first). The Great Works have been
annointed with such status for good reason. Once you've sampled from a
wide variety of periods, composers and musical configurations, you'll
have a decent overview and can then specialize.

As for performers, some of us find it endlessly fascinating to compare
conductor X with conductor Y and conductor Z in a movement from a Mahler
symphony. At some point, you'll want to listen to two different
performers in the same music back to back. The comparisons can be
fascinating ... but there's no hurry!

Alexander Inglis  |  InterNet: alexander.inglis@canrem.com
Toronto,  Canada  |  CompuServe: 70307,20     BIX: ainglis
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