Many years ago I learned to play a couple of instruments, and even played in a small dance band for a while - but now I chiefly just listen and mostly in the background. We do like to see Grand Opera from time to time, though, and what I plan with this page is to write down some of my thoughts on recent discs I've bought or performances I've seen.
A current (beginning of 2000) project is to hear my way through Wagner's Ring Cycle. Preparation/training for the time when I might be able to sit through the actual event. I am working with Monty Stone's Ring Disc, an epic achievement in itself, with the whole of the Cycle (by the San Francisco Opera), keyed to the piano score, libretto, English translation, and commentary on a single CD-ROM. This is unusual for me in that I usually prefer to see a new opera first, then follow it up on disc later - but the Ring may never eventuate. I also have the Decca Karl Böhm Bayrüther Festspiele CD set.
Apart from the Opera, I prefer classical piano music, instrumental music generally, and big band swing (bit of a range, there!). There is, of course, always the nostalgia draw, too, so that 60s pop tends to make me daydream from time to time. I keep adding titles to my wishlist, which grows more quickly than my actual collection (the wishlist is up to 280 titles at the moment!).
The last few CDs I've bought have been (latest first, mostly not on the wishlist!)