Classical music - starting points

For someone new to classical music who is serious about getting some exposure to what is available from the different composers which would in turn give them some guidance in what music to move on to, I don't think you can beat the purchase of some compulation discs which feature composers from the different eras and which will typically include some of the composers most assessible and popular pieces. There are discs for solo piano works, chamber works, overtures, short symphonies, tone poems, and some short symphonies. Listening to these records/CD's will quickly help identify the starting point for a newcomer. These recordings are abundant and cheap. Highly recommended.

For folks who would want some very dramatic and assessible pieces from the Romantic era I would recommend:

Beethoven - Sym #5 & 7, Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto #4, Violin Sonatas 3 & 5, and Piano Sonatas #29, #8, #14, #23 and #29.

Brahms - Violin Concerto, Symphony #1, and Piano Sonata #3 and three intermezzi Op117.

Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique (and it is fantanstic, if a bit bizzare considering when it was composed). Big piece, an audiophile favorite show piece.

Chopin - Music for Solo Piano Preludes and Nocturns as well as Sonatas.

Debussy (not from the romantic period but very assessible non the less)- For Orchestral, LaMer and Afternoon of a Faun. For solo piano, Images and Preludes.

Dvorak - Tone Poems and Symphonies #8 and #9.

Falla - Nights in the gardens of Spain

Hanson - Symphony #2 (he is a neo romantic composer - this symphony is subtitled "Romantic).

Liszt - Sonata in B is a great place to start. This piece is really over the top.

Respighi - Orchestral - Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome and the Birds. Big pieces - great audophile demo stuff as well.

Rachmaninov - Symphony # 2 and Symphonic Dances

Rimsky Korsokov - Scheherazade & Russian Easter Overture. More big dramatic demo music.

Saint Saens - Symphony #3 the organ symphony, Piano Concerto #2 and #4.

Schumann - Fantasy in C for solo piano (this is supremely beautiful classical piano)

Sibelius - Symphony #2

Smetana - Ma Vlast, a very nationalistic piece of Czech music - very beautiful and often quoted.

Tchaikovsky - Symphonies 4,5, and 6. Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, Swan Lake, the 4 suites, and solo piano the Seasons.

Vaughn Williams (not really of the romantic period) Symphony # 2, subtitled the London Symphony. Beautiful piece.

Wagner - Orchestral Preludes from the Ring and others. Big music, but for shear beauty get excerpts from Tristan and Isolda. No fat soprano screeching here!

Thats a few for starters from just one period......If anyone wants specific recommendations I'd be happy to recommend some of my favorite performances.

One of the members of our audio club has but together a 'Classical For Dummies', which I think is an excellent resource for anyone feeling classically challenged. Here's the link -

Classical for Dummies

For a newbie, I would start with the Russian composers. I think they are most accessible to someone used to rock or popular music. I know Beethoven was cited, but I think he's a little too 'cerebral' to start with. I didn't full start to appreciate Beethoven until a few years ago. But you could also try Bach and Mozart. Sometimes it's easier to start with the "Bloody and Thunder." You know, canons, drums, and lots of low brass instruments (trombones).

Newbee's list is excellent. I might add 'The Planets' by Holst (wanna know where Star Wars comes from?), the Bach cello suites, Beethoven 6, and Appalachian Srping by Copland. Not all from the Romantic, but all good stuff and I think quite accessible and inviting.

An opera with the booklet in your hand. Like, Simone Boccanegra-Verdi, Carmen-Bizet, Norma-Bellini, Orfeo-Monterverdi, Figaro-Mozart, etc. How the story is underpinned with music, emotions expressed and drama played is helps you to understand and internalise the music. My first classical music cd, which is converted me to a classical music lover - after years of misspent youth around led zeppelin and alike - was the Simone Boccanegra opera. The drama, the love and emotions coming through perfectly, and gives so much deeper insight into humanity and music than any rock music.