Take a look at Stan Linkwitz's list of well engineerd recordings, recommended for testing playback systems. Includes many classical suggestions.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/music.htm Here's a quick personal list (a few are also on the list above). All are redbook CD versions. These are all excellently engineered, but also great music IMO:
Mintzer, Hidalgo, Gonzalez, Chesky, Brecker - The Body Acoustic (Chesky) - Outstanding depth and ambience. Ambient depth layers miles deep with excellent resolution to the decay of each note. Musically similar to Miles's 'Bitch's Brew' but all acoustic - Sax, Bass clarinet, trumpet, Congas, Piano, Bass, Drums.
The Coryells (Lary Coryell & his two sons) - The Coryells (Chesky) - Acoustic guitar trio + bass (& drums?), Jazz & blues. Great male vocal sound & acoustic space resolution. Music notes: Skip the three song opening piece.. Interesting interplay of father & sons all on acoustic guitars, Murali's vocals are highly soulful. One of my favoite covers of 'Goodby Porkpie Hat' ever (with vocals).
Candido & Graciela - Inolvidable (Chesky) - Cuban percussion with lower range female vocals.
Medeski, Martin & Wood - Tonic (Blue Note) - the acoustic one, not the electric one, which is no where near as transparent or ambient.
Wynton Marsalis - Mr. Jelly Lord, Standard Time Series (Sony Label I believe) Also a few others from Wynton's Standard Time series such as the Thelonious Monk tribute, but not all. Excellent dynamics and imaging of a larger acoustic jazz ensable recording.
Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Mike Marshall, Uncommon Ritual (?) Bass, banjo, mandolin acoustic string trio.
Phillips, Grier & Flinner - Looking Back (Compass) - Bass, guitar, mandolin acoustic string trio.
The ARC choir (Mapleshade) - A capella gospel from the Addicts Rehabilitation Center Choir in Harlem.
Redwine Trio - Baby Won't You Please Come Home (Mapleshade) - Clarinet, guitar, bass, Django style swing
On my
to check out list:
Mickey Hart - Planet Drum (Rykodisk?) - Way low bass drums.
Brian Bromberg, Wood (?) - acoustic bass detail and texture.
Some of Teddy's classical suggestions..