Hi Orpheus - I just saw your question about what classical music would be cool. I have been sitting here for fifteen minutes trying to decide how to respond. This is actually a difficult question, as I have absolutely no idea what you would think is cool. I could give you a couple of recommendations of things I like, but if you didn't like them, then you might not respond well to further suggestion.
It would be better if you explored for yourself at first. The problem becomes then, where do you start? There are lots of different ways to approach that, too. One approach might be - what is your favorite instrument(s)? When you listen to jazz, do you like the pianists the best? Then maybe try some solo classical piano music, or some piano concertos. If you like the trumpet, then maybe find a recording of some trumpet concertos. Do you like the vocalists? Then pick either opera (again so many different places to start), or maybe some art songs, by say Schubert. If you went this route, then you are at least starting with something at least somewhat familiar, the instrument being featured.
Another way to approach it would be by picking a composer to start with, and listening to several different types of pieces by that composer. Again, there are many different places to start here, and I have no idea which composers or what era of music you might like the best - and by the way, that's another way to start - pick an era (Medieval/Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.) and listen to several different works by different composers in that era.
I hope this is somewhat helpful. If anything above strikes your fancy, then maybe we could get more specific with recommendations.
It would be better if you explored for yourself at first. The problem becomes then, where do you start? There are lots of different ways to approach that, too. One approach might be - what is your favorite instrument(s)? When you listen to jazz, do you like the pianists the best? Then maybe try some solo classical piano music, or some piano concertos. If you like the trumpet, then maybe find a recording of some trumpet concertos. Do you like the vocalists? Then pick either opera (again so many different places to start), or maybe some art songs, by say Schubert. If you went this route, then you are at least starting with something at least somewhat familiar, the instrument being featured.
Another way to approach it would be by picking a composer to start with, and listening to several different types of pieces by that composer. Again, there are many different places to start here, and I have no idea which composers or what era of music you might like the best - and by the way, that's another way to start - pick an era (Medieval/Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.) and listen to several different works by different composers in that era.
I hope this is somewhat helpful. If anything above strikes your fancy, then maybe we could get more specific with recommendations.