In classical music, I like to think of selecting music as if trying to find the best cover band for a particular song. See in many cases, the composers are long dead and recordings weren't a technology available to them. So listening to them is really not an option. Different composers and ensembles and symphonies all play music slightly different. Finding and selecting the best pieces (at least in your own opinion) can be one of the most difficult and challenging operations you can take on in listening and collecting a classical music collection.
Here are a few pointers:
1) Use YouTube and identify pieces that you like - paying attention to which orchestra is playing and/or who is conducting the piece.
2) Read reviews. The best two sources in my opinion would be the NPR Guide to Collecting Classical Music and http://www.classicstoday.com/. Listen magazine is also quite handy and offers great articles and interviews to help you fully appreciate classical music.
3) If you find yourself drawn again and again to a particular orchestra or conductor or composer, then you're onto something special and have a foundation to really grow your collection in areas you might not be as fluent in.
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