Classical Music

Classical music opens the doors to a musical heritage of unparalleled richness, spanning centuries and styles. From the monumental symphonies of Beethoven or Mahler to the virtuoso concertos of Mozart or Rachmaninoff, each work tells a story and expresses an infinite range of emotions.

We move from the delicate harmonies of Baroque music, embodied by Vivaldi or Bach, to the passionate fervor of the Romantic period, where Tchaikovsky and Chopin make every note vibrate with emotion. Recitals and sonatas, meanwhile, offer a rare proximity to the performer, like an intimate dialogue between the artist and their instrument.

Listened to on vinyl, classical music unfolds all the warmth and depth of its timbres, recreating the atmosphere of a concert hall and offering a moment of pure beauty, conducive to relaxation as well as wonder.

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Danny Elfman: Cello Concerto & Film Music - Vinyle

Classical Vinyl Records: Pressings, Labels and Landmark Recordings

Why collect classical music on vinyl?

This collection of classical vinyl records covers the whole repertoire, from early and Baroque music to contemporary works, by way of symphonies, concertos, sonatas, recitals and opera. The LP and classical music grew up together: fitting a long work onto a single disc was a big part of why Columbia launched the long-playing record in 1948. The golden age of stereo, from the 1950s through the 1970s, left a catalog of landmark recordings that still circulate widely on vinyl.

You'll find great conductors of the past, such as Bernard Haitink and André Previn, alongside current performers like Sir Simon Rattle, Leif Ove Andsnes, Alexandre Tharaud and Magdalena Kozena. For each recording, the record page compares offers from several partner stores, new and reissued. The price of the same recording can vary quite a bit depending on the edition and the store.

Original pressing or reissue: buying classical LPs

With classical records, the label tells you a lot. Collectors look for Deutsche Grammophon "tulip" labels, Decca "wide band" pressings, RCA Living Stereo "shaded dog" copies and Mercury Living Presence records, all prized for their sound. These originals mostly sell used, at widely varying prices. When they're out of reach, audiophile reissues from Speakers Corner and Analogue Productions, or Deutsche Grammophon's "The Original Source" series cut from the analog tapes, are excellent alternatives.

the exact recording: conductor, orchestra, soloist and year
stereo or mono for 1950s recordings
complete opera box sets, libretto included
surface condition, since quiet passages reveal every click

Which landmark classical recordings should you know?

A few recordings serve as reference points: Glenn Gould's "Goldberg Variations", recorded in 1955, Maria Callas's "Tosca" conducted by Victor de Sabata (recorded in 1953), Herbert von Karajan's Beethoven symphony cycle for Deutsche Grammophon (recorded in 1961-62, released as a box set in 1963), and Georg Solti's Wagner "Ring" for Decca, the first complete studio recording of the cycle. For Baroque music, John Eliot Gardiner, with The English Baroque Soloists and The Monteverdi Choir, shaped period-instrument performance.

Contemporary and minimalist music has its own vinyl classics, such as Arvo Pärt's "Tabula Rasa" on ECM and Steve Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians", two works conceived as a whole that reward listening to an entire side without interruption. Philip Glass and Max Richter carry on that vein, and their music is well represented in recent vinyl releases.

Symphonies, opera, Baroque: the subcollections

The section is organized by form and period: classical symphony, classical concerto, classical sonata, classical recitals, opera / operetta / lyrical singing, masses / requiems / passions, liturgy, ballets, early music, Baroque music, Romantic music, contemporary music and minimalist music. If you're just starting out, pick a piece you love and compare several versions: in classical music, the performer and the recording matter as much as the work itself.

Frequently asked questions

What classical vinyl records should a beginner buy?

Glenn Gould's "Goldberg Variations", Herbert von Karajan's Beethoven symphonies or a period-instrument recording of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" are easy ways in. Start with a piece that speaks to you, then compare the available performances and editions before you buy, since versions of the same work can sound very different.

How do you spot a collectible classical pressing?

Look at the label and origin: early Deutsche Grammophon "tulip" labels, Decca "wide band" pressings, RCA "shaded dog" copies and Mercury Living Presence records are the most sought after. Condition, the presence of the original booklet and the country of pressing then weigh heavily on price.

Are audiophile classical reissues as good as original pressings?

For listening, often yes. Reissues from Speakers Corner, Analogue Productions and Deutsche Grammophon's "The Original Source" series generally start from the analog tapes and are pressed with care. They cost less than an original in top condition, but they don't carry the same collector value.

Are classical records a good fit for a beginner turntable?

Yes, as long as the setup is clean. Classical music has a wide dynamic range and long quiet passages, so a well-aligned cartridge, a clean stylus and records in good condition make a real difference. Start with new pressings or well-graded used copies rather than worn bargain-bin finds.