Once you've listened to Bach's Brandenburg concertos, you'll probably want more of his music. I recommend his orchestral suites, they're very "user friendly" to ears unaccustomed to classical music.

The faster paced movements of these concertos sound absolutely magical to my ears. (Note: Igor Kipnis recorded a better version of these concertos, but until his CD set comes back in print, this is a good alternate choice). See my Space Music listmania for further comments on this great composition by Bach.

There are hundreds if not thousands of recordings of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, and you might be tempted to buy a dirt cheap version of this composition, but you're better off buying this double CD set that contains this famous composition, plus many others, masterfully played under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner.

Here's a safe bet, you can chose any piano concerto by Mozart and the odds are that you'll be captivated by the beauty of the piano notes that fall like refreshing rain. I believe that the cream of the crop of his piano concertos are numbers 17 and 18, played impeccably by Murray Perahia.

This 7 CD set has all of Beethoven's symphonies, plus various overtures and Missa Solemnis. The music is played on period instruments like those actually used in Beethoven's lifetime, so it might sound a little different than modernish versions you might have heard. It might take effort to find a cheap, used copy of this out of print recording.

There have been a distinguished line of master violinists, but among the current ones I think that Itzhak Perlman is the best. And on this splendid recording he masterfully plays the greatest romantic violin concerto ever written.

As great as Haydn's symphonies are, perhaps his crowning masterpiece is The Creation. I especially enjoy this version, which is beautifully conducted by Robert Shaw, because its sung in English.

Do you need some joy in your life? How about filling your heart with the rhythms of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. Dvorak's star of fame began to rise when these charming compositions were first published.

This miraculously composed music by Handel is associated with spiritual anecdotes. Interpret these as you will: Phil G. Goulding wrote on pg. 201 of his book "Classical Music" (see #39 below) that Handel purportedly said "I did think I saw all heaven before me, and the great God himself," and later said "I think God has visited me."

This is a truly exceptional recording. The sound of Menuhin's violin as he lovingly plays Elgar's concerto is simply beyond the description of words. Its truly a unique beauty that has to be heard to be appreciated. I've searched for years to find another example of music that matches the haunting beauty of this recording, but to no avail.

When it comes to classical music with English vocals, I especially love the spiritual compositions by Edward Elgar. In addition to the Dream of Gerontius (conducted by Sir John Barbirolli), I love Elgar's compositions The Light of Life, The Apostles, and The Kingdom (all three conducted by the great Richard Hickox).

As much as I love Brahms' symphonies, I must admit that I didn't care for them much when I first heard them. I think it was because I kept expecting to hear a symphony like Mozart's or Haydn's. But when I cleared my preconceived notions and let Brahms' symphonies speak for themselves I was astounded by the majestic music that I had previously failed to appreciate.

Here are some splendid piano concertos by Brahms that strike a stately balance between classical structure and romantic expressiveness. In the old days (1950s and earlier) Bach, Beethoven and Brahms were considered the top three masters of classical music. Somehow it seems that Brahms' reputation has slightly dropped in the public's opinion (while Mozart's fame sky rocketed).

I think that _the_ greatest tragedy in the history of classical music was the untimely death of the youthful Schubert. Listen to his symphonies and you'll wonder if he might have been declared the greatest composer of all time if he had lived longer and continued to compose masterpiece after masterpiece.

I believe that this vocal music with a wintery program by Schubert is paradoxically capable of melting the most hardened and icy hearts because of the emotional beauty of the instrumental and sung notes. Although its sung in German, there's an English translation in the liner notes.

This is THE famous piano concerto by Tchaikovsky. You will probably recognize it if you listen to a sound sample. Martha Argerich is one of the greatest living pianists, and this recording is proof positive. The nutcracker suite on this CD is not the orchestrated version, but is the version for solo piano.

For a taste of French romanticism, dignified culture, and just plain enjoyable fun, try these wonderful piano quartets written by Gabriel Faure and played exquisitely by Domus. I also recommend Faure's piano quintets, also played by Domus.

This is perhaps Mahler's most famous symphony. The fourth movement (adagietto) contains some of the loveliest music set to strings ever written. Listen to sound samples of the fourth movement - you've probably heard the music before but didn't realize who wrote it.

Here's a charming slice of Americana written by the great American composer Aaron Copland. The songs are rather folk-like and really aren't overtly religious, even though they are sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

SURPRISE! Just for silly fun try some classic cartoon parodies of the music of Strauss (A Corny Concerto), Listz (Rhapsody Rabbit) and Wagner (What's Opera Doc?). Volume 1 in the series (not shown) contains parodies of Rossini (Rabbit of Seville), Suppe (Baton Bunny) and Stokowski (Long Haired Hare). Vol. 3 contains a parody of Brahms (Pigs in a Polka). All but Pigs in a Polka feature Bugs Bunny!