A couple of other insights that I have learned and am sure you will too
in time.

When I first started collecting recordings I wanted as much of everything
as I could get I didn't want to duplicate recordings because I wanted
some of everything.  This can be expensive and I would refer you to
Naxos.  They have no less than good recordings of music and in some cases
among the best.  Their Bruckner symphony cycle is outstanding as are the
Sibelius and Vaughn Williams' recordings.

Later I came to realize that having only one recording of a piece didn't
really teach me anything about the music.  It is necessary to have
at least two recordings and preferably three or more.  Unless you can
experience the differences as well as the similarities you only have
the instance, not the concept.

You will listen to music differently if you also play an instrument.
Knowing how to read music also offers a different perspective.  You don't
have to know how to read in order to play.  This is not to say that you
can't really "appreciate" music if you don't play or read scores, it is
simply that the ability to changes how you listen to music.

I play folk guitar.  I taught myself how to do so back in the 60s.  I
didn't play for about 20 years until I got myself a Martin guitar three
years ago.  Since then I have played at least 5 minutes a day every day.
It is important that if you are going to play an instrument that you
don't just play once in a blue moon.  Otherwise you don't develop the
insights.  Now, folk guitar is not the most difficult of music but that
is not the point.  The point is that playing changes your perception of
music.  Once I figure out the chord progression (and sometimes I have
to change what is written in the music if I have access to any of it)
to a song then my fingers have to learn the music.  This was something
I didn't think about until recently.  As I am learning the music my
fingers have to adjust to the progressions and until they "learn the
music" it is difficult for me to play, it seems awkward.  After my fingers
have learned the music then my right hand has to work on developing the
picking style I feel is best for the particular song.  This involves
picking and strumming that might include more bass at some points and
discovering melodies I can pluck at the same time.  Then I can work on
the singing.  At this point things start to come together.  I can now
use vibrato as I am experimenting, I can use portamento, etc.  I am
learning not just what these concepts mean but also how they mean.  Now
when I listen to music I can appreciate what the musicians have to do
and how the music is formed by them.

So, as I said in an earlier missive, you are entering a strange new world
and one that is vast and exciting.  So, check out Naxos, get as many
recordings of a piece of music as you can, and if you are so inclined
teach yourself how to play an instrument.

Stumpf