Introducing Classical Music

[Shiva]

If you were to give a list of pieces or a CD to someone who told you he or she is interesting in knowing about classical music but doesn't know where to start, what would you put in the list (or CD)?

Or to cast it in a different way, what works do you think are absolutely necessary to get a basic grounding on what the entire world of classical music is?

It could be as big or as small as you like.

[reith]

Crikey! Depends on the person but....ok...in no special order

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Mozart: Piano Concerto 21
Barber: Adagio for Strings.
Tchaikowsky: 5th Symphony, slow movement
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Debussy: Clair de Lune
Ravel: Daphnis & Chloe - Suite #2.
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G. 2nd movement.
Ravel: Bolero.
Delius: Florida Suite.
Mozart: Sonata in C (No 16)
Holst: Planets Suite.
Telemann: ? Some harpsichord works.
Chopin: a mix of Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Preludes and the Op10 studies, nos 3 and 5.
Vivaldi: Four Seasons.

It's a start. Maybe one of the "100 Best Classics" would do?

[Ron Ofir]

Be sure to put Bach too. Something like Orchestral Suite 2 and 3 or if that's too much just Air and Badinerie. Put Canon in D as well. It's a great composition if played right.