I thought the Russian composers might appeal to you!
About Beethoven, I remember hearing a comment that if he had been alive today, he probably would have been playing heavy metal music, because he liked orchestrating for massive orchestras to produce crushing, powerful sound.
That's nice your dad gave you a Beethoven boxed CD set. I think you probably know and have heard more classical music than I have! So I'm not sure how many recommendations I could make for you. But I hope when you find pieces you like, you'll write about them in the classical section.
Your mentioning Franz Liszt reminded me of this old performance of "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2":
Victor Borge - Franz Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody #2 - YouTube
I think my
favorite Mozart symphony is No. 25 because its first movement sounds troubled, intense, and suspenseful, but I haven't heard all his symphonies, so I'm not sure. Your post reminds me that one of these days, I should listen to all 41 of them! Like you, I also love string instruments.
Mozart - Symphony No.25 K183 (by Bernstein) - YouTube
I'm sure you must have heard
Vivaldi's Four Seasons already, but *just* in case you haven't, here's
"Winter," which I like once again because of its intensity and somber but beautiful feeling:
Oh! And I know you like symphonies, but what do you think of THIS piano etude by Chopin? I love the power of the strong, low notes contrasting with the delicacy of the right hand:
Chopin - Etude Op. 10, No. 1
Performed by Ashkenazy