Thread: How do you decide what to listen to?

I am now going through a huge 'listening project', which basically decides what I listen to. The goal is: listening to a 'basic repertoire' in strict chronological order, so that I understand evolutions and revolutions in the history of classical music. Here's what I do:

1. I take a list of a 'basic repertoire', found on the net (a quite extensive list).
2. I give every work a date (not easy, this part), and compile a list in strict chronological order.
3. Every week I go to the discotheque of the library, and take the next 5 works on the list.
4. So, every week I listen to the works, and try to decide for myself which would belong to my own 'basic repertoire'.

I started in March 2010, and I am now "in 1742" (Messiah, Goldberg Variations and stuff). Still a long way to go...

For who's interested: I have made a blog of my adventurous journey (in Dutch). For everyone (fairly) understandable is the list with works. (Sorry if making publicity for this is against the forum rules )

I try to mix it up as much as possible. If today I've listened to an opera, tomorrow I'll probably listen to to some instrumental music. If today I've listened to symphonic stuff tomorrow I'm likely to listen to chamber music or piano. After Mozart I'll probably listen to something modern. After four or five days of classical music I'm likely to devote a day to rock or jazz. But the mood I'm in also plays a part in my choice at any given moment.

Originally Posted by zoziejemaar

For who's interested: I have made a blog of my adventurous journey (in Dutch). For everyone (fairly) understandable is the list with works. (Sorry if making publicity for this is against the forum rules )

Interesting project. I've bookmarked your blog.

Originally Posted by Geronimo

Interesting project. I've bookmarked your blog.

Ik ook.

Well, thanks to you both for your interest. I'll try to keep it up.