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I've just listened to Beethoven's 7th (allegretto) which has put me in the mood for some more but I have no idea where to start other than I like that type of classical movements. I don't care for piano stuff that much.
Any recommendations away from the obvious options?
Holst Planet Suite is great, just about every sci fi movie you have ever seen has ripped it off in some way
I'd search for Proms on Youtube, they're not all Land of Hope and Glory... Another good search is for Gustavo Dudamel, the conductor.
But to answer the question: How about a bit of Mahler?
I'd take the number 7 down one and listen to the Pastoral (6th) symphony, which is my favourite, but it is obvious (you said away from the obvious).
How about:
Overture from Tannhauser (Wagner)
Shostakovich (Jazz suites 1 and 2)
Mussorgsky A Night on Bare Mountain
Dvorak Symphony No 9 (New World)
Enjoy.
If you like Beethoven, try some of Haydn's symphonies.
The later ones are the best known/most played so go for #92 - #104. Similar to Beethoven & Mozart in many ways - Haydn was Beethoven's teacher for a while.
I like the heavier stuff -
Carl Orff - O Fortuna
Hector Berlioz - Dreams of a Witches Sabbath
Richard Wagner - Parsifal, Ring
Get yourself some "Best of..." compilation CDs, that's a great way of listening to new composers in easily swallowed chunks.
Try Dvorak's Cello Concerto. There are passages v. similar to that particular movement, and it is a heart-rendingly beautiful piece of music at times.
The Berlioz mentioned above - Symphonie Fantastique, is worth a listen in its entirety - four or five very different movements.
Other composers definitely worth trying out include Brahms and Bruckner.
Beethoven 7 is one of my favourites! Check out the 9th-epic! Perhaps try some Vivaldi ie 4 seasons etc. For more hardcore modernish stuff try Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
Try Sibelius's fifth symphony. Search out "Strawberry Switchblade" on YouTube - same theme!
Id agree with globalti in the sense that a selection of compilation cd's can cover a wide area in a short space of time.
Don't fully discard the piano...or anything else for that matter - It's quite surprising what you end up enjoying.
You seem to like Beethoven. I would class Beethoven as one of the easiest composers to listen to. ( & tbh he's also one of my perennial favorites). - Try listening to a good version of "Moonlight Sonata" ....Then tell me you don't like piano 😉
Chris
Ofra Hannoy Cello stuff is worth a listen. The Vivaldi flute concertos are nice too.
Beethoven violin concerto's lovely (as is 9th, as above)
There's a Saint-Saens organ somethingorother that's brilliant
I love The Barber of Seville for singalongascaredy moments
and I've always liked Wagner's Ring ( 😉 😳 )
try listening to Radio 3 or Classical FM for a few weeks to experiment - also as Radio 3 is now available on the IPlayer you can pick and choose
I can listen to Ludovico Eienaudi for hours. So relaxing."The arrival of the queen of Sheba" is a great peice also, as heard at weddings all over.
If you fancy something a bit more modern, check out Codes in the Clouds.
Elgar's Enigma
Walton's Battle of Britain Suite
Copland's Appalachian Spring
A bit of Mozart?
Allegro con brio from Symphony no 25 in G Minor (and Fabian Cancellara's awesome descending skills)