Finding new classical music

[Conservationist]

For me the challenge is twofold:

(a) My favorite composers have written a ton of stuff. I assume it's all good or close, but am never sure which recordings to buy
(b) Finding new composers who were overlooked, like Tor Aulin or Domenico Scarlatti

Any suggestions appreciated.

[DeathDealer]

(a) Any names or works in particular? Any strong preferences for or against certain repertory (e.g. vocal, solo instrumental, sacred, orchestral, French, English, Italian, etc.)?

For (b), my most interesting find recently has been Westhoff's violin sonatas (http://www.amazon.com/Johann-Paul-von-Westhoff-Continuo/dp/B0007DDR1Y). It's virtuosic at the service of musicality, rather than its expense. Holds up well to repeated spins.

[DeathDealer]

More renaissance & baroque:


Byrd: Keyboard Works (Moroney/Hyperion)

Corelli: Op.3 (Ens. Aurora/Arcana)

Gabrieli: Sonate e Canzoni (Concerto Palatino/Harmonia Mundi)

Josquin: Missa Sine Nomine & Missa Ad Fugam (Tallis Scholars/Gimell)

Landini: Fior di Dolceça (Micrologus/Zig Zag)

Marais: Pièces de Viole du IVe Livre (Savall/Alia Vox)

Marini: Curiose Invenzioni Dall'opera Ottava (Galatea Ensemble/Stradivarius)

Ruffo: Capricci in musica a tre voci (I Dilettanti/STIL)

Torelli: Concertos Op.8, Trumpet Concertos (Collegium Musicum 90/Chandos)

[chb]

Dieterich Buxtehude might interest you. He's a baroque composer who has written grand, powerful organ music in the style of Bach and some very beautiful cantatas. You can listen to his oratorio "Membra Jesu Nostri" on Youtube. Lately, it has become one of my favourite pieces of music:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8A5DB914D456BE65

[nous]

For me the challenge is twofold:

(a) My favorite composers have written a ton of stuff. I assume it's all good or close, but am never sure which recordings to buy
(b) Finding new composers who were overlooked, like Tor Aulin or Domenico Scarlatti

Any suggestions appreciated.

(a) Depends on the genre you like most. I love symphonies, so I always check out their symponies first. When it comes to conductors: most good conductors maintain a constant quality in recordings. If you have favourite conductors, stick with them. Review sites may help (classicstoday.com ...). I always try to listen to the recordings before I buy. There are a few awesome users on the Neoclassical music hub (Andromeda ...). Or you could try soulseek, or http://avaxhome.ws/music/classical.
(b) Last.fm and friends. But you know that already, don't you?

[Plagabraha]

I can help you with Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms, Bach, Saint Saens, Schumann, Bruckner, Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti...
Any specific works you need help finding recordings of?

[Eleison]

French baroque is often overlooked in favor of the German and Italian styles.  I've recently become aware of the music of Jean-Baptiste Lully, whose music is simply astonishing.  He was the favored composer of King Louis the 14th, who even went so far as to decree that Lully was to have complete control over all music produced in France.  He died of gangrene after stabbing himself in the foot whilst conducting this.

[DeathDealer]

French baroque is often overlooked in favor of the German and Italian styles.  I've recently become aware of the music of Jean-Baptiste Lully, whose music is simply astonishing.  He was the favored composer of King Louis the 14th, who even went so far as to decree that Lully was to have complete control over all music produced in France.  He died of gangrene after stabbing himself in the foot whilst conducting this.

That work you linked to is impressive. So far I had only heard viol and keyboard works, so I'll need to look into the orchestral works now.

 I found French baroque harder to get into than Italian or German. It's restrained and graceful with light, flowing melodies and a characteristic approach to rhythm and ornamentation.

[mr marcus]

Heitor Villa-lobos

[druidakoda]

b) Leo Ornstein:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNsn7NjDPkM&NR=1
all piano works but extremely intense, almost mockingly atonal.

A brief glance through Hexameron's youtube channel shows that they have quite a collection of obscure composers; mostly piano compositions however.

[Prospero]

I recommend Josef Suk, a student of Dvorak, and his "Asrael" symphony. I remember somebody here made me discover Frederick Delius and his "Mass of Life" inspired by the works of Nietzsche. I suggest you listen to that too if you do not know the piece. To my knowledge, he is generally overlooked. Delius incorporated elements of Afro-American music in his work before Gershwin did.

[Dead_Soul]

b) Leo Ornstein:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNsn7NjDPkM&NR=1
all piano works but extremely intense, almost mockingly atonal.

A brief glance through Hexameron's youtube channel shows that they have quite a collection of obscure composers; mostly piano compositions however.

Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed this piece quite a bit as well; it's like a more passionate version of Liszt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt7wfKDixe0&feature=related

[▓]

For me the challenge is twofold:

(a) My favorite composers have written a ton of stuff. I assume it's all good or close, but am never sure which recordings to buy
(b) Finding new composers who were overlooked, like Tor Aulin or Domenico Scarlatti

Any suggestions appreciated.

(a) Depends on the genre you like most. I love symphonies, so I always check out their symponies first. When it comes to conductors: most good conductors maintain a constant quality in recordings. If you have favourite conductors, stick with them. Review sites may help (classicstoday.com ...). I always try to listen to the recordings before I buy. There are a few awesome users on the Neoclassical music hub (Andromeda ...). Or you could try soulseek, or http://avaxhome.ws/music/classical.
(b) Last.fm and friends. But you know that already, don't you?

Other than Nous, most of the replies are missing the actual question here. I wonder how well lastfm caters for classical listeners though - surely most of the connections are provided by other users' listening habits? This is no guarantee of anything....

If you live in the UK then you have it easy - BBC radio 3. This station covers everything from baroque madrigals, catholic masses and entire concert recordings, to ethno-noise, jazz and occasionally some modern rubbish too.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_three
I think non-UK residents are blocked, but you may be able to discover a workaround to listen for free online.

[Eleison]

Dieterich Buxtehude might interest you. He's a baroque composer who has written grand, powerful organ music in the style of Bach and some very beautiful cantatas. You can listen to his oratorio "Membra Jesu Nostri" on Youtube. Lately, it has become one of my favourite pieces of music:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8A5DB914D456BE65

Seconded.