Introduction to classical music – where to start?
Firstly I’d strongly support @HungryHalibut’s suggestion of a subscription to a streaming service. I use Qobuz, which has a pretty good classical selection. Then I’d go over the “What are you listening to …” thread. You’ll need to be selective, but classical albums do come up from time to time. And of course there’s the “Classical music thread”, particularly many of the earlier posts. Finally you could try subscribing to something like BBC Music Magazine which often has general guidance on individual composers.
And … here are a few selections in various categories to get you going. I have tried to pick pieces which are perhaps towards the lighter side of classical, as you requested, and ones which may have immediate appeal.
Bach: Brandenberg Concertos. My set is by Trevor Pinnock on DG Archiv.
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet. Mine are by Thea King on Hyperion.
Mendelssohn: Octet. I have the Academy of St Martin in the Fields on Philips. This astonishing work by a 16 year old never fails to cheer me up. Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto is also a wonder especially as played by Ilana Ibragimova on Hyperion.
Dvorak: American Quartet. The Pavel Haas string quartet are completely inside this music. It’s on Supraphon.
Brahms: late piano pieces played by Stephen Hough on Hyperion.
Ravel: Piano concerto in G. I have Zimerman/Boulez on Deutsche Gramophon.
Stravinsky: Pulcinella. This ballet music is in the “neoclassical” style. The Academy of St Martin in the Fields version is excellent.
Those recommendations might give you a start but for a couple of left-field fun suggestions you might try anything by L’Arpeggiata, but I’d recommend starting with All’ Improvviso on Alpha and the recent organ recital by Anna Lapwood (“the TikTok organist”) entitled Luna on Sony is very fine.
And finally one piece of advice if you do head for some of the heavier stuff: don’t just go by first impressions. It often takes several goes to really get into and understand a piece, at least it does for me. In the days before streaming I would often buy a recommended CD and find it disappointing. But then, after a few listens it began to make sense, and eventually ended up being a firm favourite.
Sorry for the overlong ramble, but I hope some of this helps.
Roger