A few nice entry points to classical music, 10 items just to start with (interpreters are according to my personal taste)

  • J.S. Bach: "The well tempered clavier" (S. Richter, 1972, RCA Gold Seal -- also: F. Gulda, 1973, Philips)

  • J.S. Bach "English and French suites" (S. Richter, 1991, Philips; G. Gould, until seventies Sony)

  • L. Van Beethoven: Symphony no.9 (F. Fricsay, Berliner Philharmoniker 1958, DG -- also: H. Von Karajan/Berlin Philarmonic, 1977, DG -- W. Furtwangler/Bayreuth festspiele, 1951, EMI)

  • L. Van Beethoven: Piano Concerto no. 5 "Emperor" (A. Benedetti Michelangeli (P)/Freccia(D)/Orchestra Sinfonica Roma, 1960 Aura -- also: A. Benedetti Michelangeli (P)/Giulini/Wiener Symphoniker, 1979, DG)

  • J. Brahms: Piano concerto no. 2 (E. Gilels (P)/E. Jochum, Berliner Philharmoniker -- also: S. Richter (P)/E. Leinsdorf/Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1960, RCA Gold Seal)

  • J. Brahms: Symphony no. 4 (C. Kleiber/Wien Philharmonic, 1980, DG; Abbado, Berliner Philaharmoniker, 90s)

  • A. Brueckner: Simphony no.9 (S. Celibidache/Muenchen Philharmonic, 1995 -- G. Wand/Berliner Philharmoniker)

  • W. A. Mozart: Piano concerto K 466 (No 20) (M. Bilson (FP)/J.E. Gardiner/The English Baroque soloists, 1984, Archiv -- A. Benedetti Michelangeli (P)/F. Caracciolo/Orchestra sinfonica Rai Napoli, 1958, Mov. Musica -- Maria Yudina (P)/Sergei Gorchakov/ All-Union radio Symphony Orchestra, 1948) I do also recommend the whole recording of WAM piano concerts in two editions: A. Brendel (P)/Sir Neville Marriner and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Philips 70/80s (with modern instruments and Piano) and M. Bilson (FP)/Sir J.E. Gardiner and The English Baroque soloists 80s (with original instruments and fortepiano)

  • W. A. Mozart: Requiem K626 (S. Celibidache/Orchestra Rai Torino, 1968, Documents -- also: F. Bruggen/Orchestra of the 18th Century, 1998, Glossa)

  • F. Schubert: Piano Sonata B flat major, D 960 (no. 21) (S. Richter, 1961, Brilliant Classics; there is a later recording by Richter of this, probably editeed by Decca and recorded much later - I am not sure - since Richter is even slower and further pursues his views on Schubert; it is for me better and I found it on youtube)

In case you liked the stuff above, ten further ones

  • J.S. Bach: "Goldberg Variations" (G. Gould, 1982, Sony Classical -- A. Gavrilov, 1993, DG)

  • J.S. Bach: "St. John's Passion" (J. E. Gardiner/The English Baroque soloists -- H. Rilling/Bach Collegium Stuttgart Haenssler)

  • L. Van Beethoven: Last Piano Sonatas (op. 109-110-111) (S. Richter, 60-70s, Brilliant Classics -- F. Gulda, 1967, Amadeo, reprinted by Briliant Classics)

  • L. Van Beethoven: Last string quartets; in particular: String quartet OP. 135 (Quartetto Italiano, 60s, Philips)

  • A. Berg: Piano sonata (G. Gould, Sony, 70s; M. Pollini, 1995, DG)

  • J. Brahms: Symphony no. 1 (H. Von Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic, 1976, DG)

  • J. Brahms: Piano concerto no. 1 (E. Gilels (P)/E. Jochum, Berliner Philharmoniker 70s DG -- K. Zimerman (P)/S. Rattle/Berlin Philarmonic, 2005, DG)

  • F. Chopin: Piano Concertos no. 1 & 2 (K. Zimerman (P)/C. M. Giulini/Los Angeles Philharmonic, 1978, DG -- S. Francois (P)/L. Framaux/ Orchestra National Opera Monte Carlo, 1965, EMI)

  • G. Mahler: Symphony no. 9 (P. Boulez/ Chicago Symphony Orchestra, DG)

  • W. A. Mozart: Symphony no. 38 "Prague" (L. Bernstein/Wien Philharmonic, DG -- Walter/ New Yor Philharmonic Orchestra, RCA)

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