Well-Known Classical Music

[Oliver]

Is there a list on the internet or a CD out there containing the classical music that eveyone knows? The really 'popular' classical ones? Things like Mozart and all of those sounds

[andy hughes]

Because classical music has a series of popular pieces known by the general public, but not by name (I am one of these, so I'm not being a snob here) the record companies have made a number of compilations of 'popular' classics. If you check the classical section of your local major chain store - HMV, Virgin, what ever, you will find a fair selection there. Some are even tied in to the TV ads that have used them, to make that 'I know a tune, but I dont know what it's called ... or who it's by ...' conversation a thing of the past.

[Cetti]

Now I don't know if this series is still available, but I started off with the 'Classic Experience' tapes and cd's. They are distributed by EMI and have 33 of the most popular classics on every double record plus the most well known opera 'bits and pieces'. I believe they number 1 - 1V , so that's quite a bit of listening!

Another very good introduction - and in much smaller segments is the Classic FM collection. To give you an example - under the heading of 'Tranquil Classics' you have just 9 pieces - Chopin, Bach (the Wool advert) Dvorak ( Hovis bread) Mozart, Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata) Grieg and so on. I can't remember any more adverts but do what andy advises have a look (and listen) in your local record shop as the selection is so vast that it really is down to your own personal taste in the end.