If you've just started listening to classical music, you would not be concerned terribly with what performers give "the best" or "greatest" interpretations. Besides, that's always a matter of opinion. The same is true for the greatest lps or the greatest individual pieces of music. Even a list of 10 great (if not THE greatest) pieces will vary to some extent among classical lovers. Let's say that I recommend you listen to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which many consider to be at the pinnacle among great works. Hopefully, you would make a good effort to hear it through to its finish. It typically takes at least an hour to perform, so prepare yourself for "an experience". You might begin by trying an overture to get a briefer taste for what's to come, maybe Rossini's Barber of Seville, Brahms' Academic Festival or Wagner's Tannhauser. If you like the violin, try Mendelssohn's Concerto. For the piano, either Tchaikovsky's First Concerto or Mozart's Concerto No. 21. Then there's Dvorak's Cello Concerto, a wonderfully musical piece. When it comes to other symphonies, you might want to explore Brahms' Second, Rachmaninoff's Second, Tchaikovsky's Fourth and Dvorak's Eighth. Finally, Cerot(above) mentions Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, a charming and dynamic work. And if you're fascinated by or curious about a particular title, go for it. Good luck and good listening!
