Expert: David Froom - 10/14/2006

Question
Hi there! I want to build a CD collection of classical music but I'm slightly confused. Which versions are the best? How do I know which version I should be purchasing? Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Jesse,
That's a tough question.  In fact, I think you might get nearly as many answers as people you would ask -- as it pertains to a single classical work.

The only thing I can suggest is that you listen to a bunch of things from the library, and make note of conductors, performers, orchestras, and recording labels that you like.  Then ask friends for recommendations, and maybe even borrow a few cds.  Also, take a look at the reviews you can read on websites like Amazon or CD universe or (name your favorite).  

You can watch the newspapers for reviews of new releases, and also look at magazines, like Fanfare, that review recent releases in large number.  

As you start to make your list of favorites, seek out versions of the pieces you like performed or conducted by those artists.

The problem is that there are no surefire recommendations.  I might like Perlman for violin solo or concertos, and someone else might hate him, prefering other folks (who I might not like).  Also different performers have things they play better.  For example, I might buy a Mahler symphony conducted by Mehta, but NEVER a Mozart symphony.  I might like Previn's Ravel, but not much of anything else.  

So really, part of building a collection is building a sense of whose performing you like -- and this takes a lot of time that only you can put in.

So start with the library.  If you like something, get it, and then try something similar by the same performers.  Ask friends for specific advice about a particular piece you might be looking for.  Build up your collection around favorite composers played by favorite performers -- and branch out by trying other pieces those same performers record or other pieces of those composers played by someone else.  Read reviews.  Don't be afraid of returning CDs (check with places you buy CDs to see if they will take a return if you don't like a performance).

Good luck, and happy listening.

David Froom