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Originally Posted by Sanctus493
Well I'm not very well read in this area, but one book I would recommend is "1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die", does what it says on the tin, good for classical newbies (like me!) and aficionados alike. It's a great reference and buyer's guide, it goes right from the 12th century to the 21st, everyone from Hildegaard Von Bingen to Karlheinz Stockhausen. Guaranteed to create a few arguments among classical buffs!  |
Ugh, I purchased that a few months ago and every recording I've looked up to check out, they give the most obscure, unknown, quite-terrible suggestions. I've only saw a few that I agree with like Furtwangler's version of Beethoven's 9th and Soltis version of Mahler's 8th.
Anyhow, my most recent purchase was one of Harold Steinberg a few months ago. I believe it's called "The Lives of Great Composers." Gives both a musical and personal approach to all of the important composers.