Getting into Classical Music...let's start with...!

Hey all, I've dabbled in classical here and there and have picked up a few albums. But, I want to delve deeper.

The problem I've always had is that there is just so much out there and it's a bit overwhelming.

So, I've decided that I'm going to single out a composer and put my focus there. Hopefully, a path will start to emerge once I get deeper in and feel more comfortable. But, for now...composer #1:

Rachmaninoff.

Why? Basically, because I love the movie Shine. Silly, I know, but it gives me some sort of anchor and outside interest to help pull me in.

So, let me have it. What are your favorite Rachmaninoff recordings? I'm looking through my public library catalog at the moment. Anyone have any familiarity with this particular recording?

http://www.hdtracks.com/rachmaninov-piano-concertos-nos-2-and-3-prelude-in-e-flat-etc

 

3d Piano Concerto: Horowitz with RCA Victor Symphony, Reiner (1951).
2d Piano Concerto: Richter with Warsaw, Wislocki (1960)
Paganini Rhapsody: Fleisher with Szell, Cleveland (1956)
Preludes (selected): Hofmann

Another very impressive account of the 3d is Kapell with Toronto, Macmillan (1948). Van Cliburn took a completely different approach, which everyone should hear at some point.

I have the Janis in my collection. I bought it because a friend really likes it. It's OK; not really in the same league as the ones above.

 

The advice is appreciated.

And yes, I'm a little further along than that. I've seen the Nashville Symphony a couple of times. I also own a few of the biggies by Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart.

I also played classical guitar for a while in college when I was a music major briefly, so I've got some experience in that realm as well.

Still, being as overwhelming as it is, I needed a jumping off point and movies provide that for me. I'm exploring Rachmaninoff thanks to Shine. Next up will probably be music related to The Red Violin which is another favorite of mine. I own both soundtracks and saw The Red Violin performed live last year at the Symphony.

Oh, I also own this, which I adore: http://www.amazon.com/Rachmaninov-All-Night-Latvian-Radio-Choir/dp/B009B4REYQ

So, here we are. I'm looking forward to the journey.

 

I think Moatsart's post is spot on, great advice, and you won't hear that most of the times. It will usually be somebody rattling off a list of "definitive" recordings, not that that's bad, but when learning just the music for the first time I don't think it's necessary to get that specific.

As you don't know which specific pieces of Rachmaninoff to explore, I'd say just start with youtube (as opposed to buying). I have a lot of Rachmaninoff, honestly all commercial recordings sound good and are performed well. I actually think the Helfgott Rach 3rd is pretty bad compared to whats out there, so you can only go up from there. The good thing is that he does the better cadenza in the 1st mvt, a lot of people including Martha Argerich (who's a favorite for Rach's 3rd concerto) play the pussified "ossia" version of the cadenza. But I loved that movie when it came out.

I know you asked for recco's, I'm just going to list pieces (not performances) that you can look up on youtube to see if you like or not, kind of in descending order of what I would extrapolate from Concerto No 3:

Piano Sonata No 2
Symphony No 2
Piano Concerto No 2
Cello Sonata Op 19
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Piano Suite No 2 for Two Pianos
Variations on a Theme of Corelli
Piano Concerto No 4 (I personally like this concerto the most of his 4, stylistically it's a departure from most of his other works)

It's also worth listening to all his shorter pieces, the Preludes Op 23, Preludes Op 32, Etudes-Tableux Op 33, Etudes-Tableaux Op 39, as they are usually 3-5 min in length you can just listen to them in the background and figure out if any resonate with you.

THANK GOD FOR YOUTUBE!

And for a cheap recco of actually recordings, Nikolai Lugansky came out with a 9 cd set which includes a LOT of Rach, including the concertos, sonatas, cello sonata, preludes op23, only $32, I just bought it a few months ago, kind of dry and straight forward, but that's how i like it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006W7SUK2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

 

I also really enjoy Rachs first piano concerto. The performance of Zimerman with Ozawa and the Boston Symphony on DG is pretty great, even though for my taste the piano is a little bit too forward from a recording perspective.

 

This won a Grammy this year. I just got it and its stunning. It's all chorale though, so maybe a bit different than what you're looking for.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RPNPAU0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

I actually, I have his All-Night Vigil...I just have the Latvian Radio Choir version.

I love it

@Ravenato