Top Ten Classical Pieces to Listen to First
Composers like Karl von Weber or Rachmaninoff probably do not fit your taste if you have not been into classical music yet. Not surprisingly, the classical pieces most accessible for large audiences are usually the most famous.This list reflects which classical pieces should one listen to who is used to pop music, classic rock or basically any genre but classical and metal (there is another list Heaviest Classical Pieces for that purpose).
Also note that this list is about which classical pieces to listen, not to play first.
Great ideas. I would suggest more waltzes because they are accessible:
Voices Of Spring Waltz - Johann Strauss II
Waltz of the Flowers - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 - Johann Strauss II
Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Jazz Suite No. 2: VI. Waltz 2 - Dmitri Shostakovich
Vienna Blood Waltz - Johann Strauss II
Roses from the South Waltz - Johann Strauss II
Waves of the Danube - Iosif Ivanovici
This piece is so catchy that it can hardly be considered classical music despite the instruments. Maybe it could even be played on a non-classical radio station.
Appears in some movies
Possibly the best introduction to 20th century classical music.
Note: I am curious if someone can tell me what is on this picture, and why is it connected to this piece.
Not a very well known piece but I like it better than Hall of the Mountain King and Morning Mood, because those two are very repetitive
No surprise it gets the most time on the radio out of all operas (as I experience)
Very good idea this one
Maybe Schubert's symphonies are more likeable for a person who was never into classical, but this has more emotion
Turkish March
Of course Canon in D would be the obvious pick but imagine playing this piece at Christmas night on full volume!