Classical music recommendations?

[Kermit power]

Does anyone know of any sites for classical music where you can bung in stuff you like and it recommends other pieces you might also like? There's a fair few for modern music, but I've not found a classical equivalent, which is annoying me, as I like and hate classical music in equal measure, depending on what it is!

Alternatively, anyone with individual suggestions, feel free to make them. The sort of stuff I like is all the powerful stuff full of crescendos, along the lines of Nessun Dorma and I vow to thee my country (or Jupiter, or the rugby world cup song, whichever you prefer!) The sort of stuff I really don't like is Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise and similar stuff, probably not all by Beethoven!

[Kermit power]

Nobody?

Is my attempt at being vaguely cultured doomed to an early death?

[Z06George]

You might like some of Brahms' works particularly his piano quintet in F minor. Tchaikovsky (sp) symphony No.1 and Arthur Bliss' Checkmate Suite (this in particular has some very powerful moments.

Hope this helps,
George.

[Stevenj214]

In a similar vein, I enjoy bits and pieces of classical music (mostly movie soundtracks or the more famous pieces) but if I was looking to listen/learn a bit more, where should I start?

[NathanJones]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/

They have a varied selection when listening and they are going through their recommended summer listening.

[ShadownINja]

Classic FM charts on Saturday mornings is a good way to listen to a wide variety of such music and get an idea of which albums to buy.

http://mediaweb.musicradio.com/player/default.asp?...

[elster]

I find the best way to discover new things is to use Last.fm

You type in a track you like it then keeps playing similar stuff.

What you like you can download.

[Kermit power]

elster said:

I find the best way to discover new things is to use Last.fm

You type in a track you like it then keeps playing similar stuff.

What you like you can download.

I didn't realise it had classical on it. I'll take a look.

[elster]

Kermit power said:

elster said:

I find the best way to discover new things is to use Last.fm

You type in a track you like it then keeps playing similar stuff.

What you like you can download.

I didn't realise it had classical on it. I'll take a look.

God yeah it doesn't just do this modern stuff.

[NiceCupOfTea]

There's a multipage thread from some months back when TonyHetherington asked a similar question. I don't think he ever came back to it so I don't know if it was any use to him.

ETA: here it is:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

From what you say it sounds as if large orchestral stuff is more your bag than chamber music. It's very hard to recommend specific stuff but I'll try.

Mahler Symphonies (but not 4)
Bruckner Symphonies (7,8,9 in particular)
Tchaikovsky Symphonies (4,5,6 in particular)
Richard Strauss Death & Transfiguration, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel, Ein Heldenleben
Elgar Symphony No.1
Rachmaninov Symphony No.2
Walton Symphony No.1
Stravinsky Firebird Suite / Rite of Spring
Beethoven Symphonies 3, 5 & 9
Film music - John Williams, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith
Mozart Requiem Mass
Verdi Requiem Mass
Holst Planets Suite (includes Jupiter which you mentioned and Mars)

Some of that lot may be quite hard going for somebody who's new to classical music, but the Tchaik, Strauss, Elgar, Beethoven & Mozart would be a good start.

Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 24th August 01:31

[Sim89]

Would also definitely recommend Wagner.

[Diesel_the_David]

Shostakovich (particularly symphonies 5,7,8 and 10) is worth finding out about.

Have a look at Naxos (the recording label) and last.fm (a 'radio' website). Both these sites have lots and lots of music to listen to. Last.fm is particularly good because of the number of complete tracks you can listen to a limited number of times for free.

Enjoy!