[log in to unmask] writes:

>Hello, I'm attempting to start building a CD collection of classical
>greats.  I've begun to get educated.
>
>I bought a book, Classical Music for Dummies (one has to start somewhere!),
>that I'm finding quite good.  In the back of the book they actually try and
>walk one through building a classical music collection.  They provide 5
>lists, the last one is the one I'm zeroing in on.  (If any of these are
>operas, Please tell me, as I don't care for opera.) It lists the following
>artists/works:

You have picked a list of 20th centrury works apparently.  I live near
Bethesda and the good news is that you have some excellent record stores
to choose from.  I noticed that the list did not include some of the great
works of the 20th century by British composers like Elgar and Vaughan
Williams.  I might suggest the following: Your list mentioned "Thus Sprach
Zarathustra" (a great piece, I just listened to it yesterday).  So I
might steer you towards a CD of "Thus Sprach Zarathustra" with the Boston
Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Steinberg.  This CD also includes
a great 20th century work by a British composer...The Planets by Gustav
Holst.  This would be a great disk to start with.

Take advantage of the DC Tower in particular.  There are some guys at that
store that really know their stuff.

Enjoy
Steve