I ripped this list off the top of my head and it is possible that on any given day I might give you a different list. However, I think the Debussy, Bruckner and Mahler are definites. Where I couldn't decide on which recording to recommend, I left it blank. Some items are a bit of a cheat but I am basically recommending a disk which should be widely available like where I recommend Vaughan Williams #3 & #5 w/ Adrian Boult conducting. These are two of my favorite Symphonies by Vaughan Williams and this disk has my favorite Third and a good Fifth (I actually prefer Andre Previn's Fifth). However, for the sake of brevity, I just recommend Boult's disk of #3 & #5. Take this list with a grain of salt and maybe compare it with other peoples lists. I have found that often sticking with a performer that you like (conductor, pianist) is a good way of being introduced to new composers or pieces. 1. Mahler Symphonies #1, #2 - Bruno Walter conducting (SONY) 2. Beethoven Symphony #9 - Herbert Von Karajan ('63 version) 3. Sibelius - Symphony #2 - Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orhcestra 4. Mozart Piano Concetos (various ones) Alfred Brendel pianist 5. Debussy - Orchestral works. Bernard Haitink, Concertgebouw Orchestra 6. Bruckner - Symphony #9 - Jochum, Statskappelle Orchestra 7. Bruckner - Symphony #4 - Jochum, Statskapelle Orchestra 8. Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra/Ein Heldenleben - Reiner, Chicago Symphony 9. Debussy/Ravel - String Quartets 10. Vaughan Williams - Symphonies #3 & #5 - Adrian Boult conducts 11. Chopin - Nocturnes 12. Brahms - The German Requiem - Otto Klemperer conducts 13. Bliss - A Colour Symphony, Adam Zero - David-Lloyd Jones conducting (I know this may be a bit obscure but it really is one of my personal favorites) 14. Stravinsky - The Firebird - Pierre Boulez, Cleveland Symphony Orchestra 15. Scriabin - The Poem of Ecstasy 16. Scriabin - Piano Concerto 17. Prokofiev - Piano Concerto #3 - Janis pianist, Kondrashin- conductor 18. Mahler - Symphony #6 - Boulez,Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra 19. Mahler - Symphony #4 20. Mahler - Das Lied von Der Erde - Haitink, Concertgebouw Orchestra 21. Holst - The Planets 22. Rachmaninoff - Piano Cto. #2 - Van Cliburn, Fritz Reiner - conducts 23. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos 24. Mozart - Requiem - Christopher Hogwood conducting 25. Beethoven - Symphony #3 - Bernstein NYPO Steve M. (Northern Virginia)