If early music is of interest, then I personally would choose to study early composition styles and their locations of origin. The French did not write in the same way as the Germans or the Italians. When I took music history back in the day, Gregorian Chant was barely touched upon when compared its level of activity and its level of importance to the Catholic Church. There are people who spend their whole lives making sense out of that antiquated musical notation. Having an advanced knowledge of music theory, counterpoint and orchestration is a great asset but it isn't necessary for appreciating Mahler, Beethoven or Ligeti. My personal collection would be considered by most standards esoteric but I like labels that are off the beaten path and I've spent a long time exploring composers, performers, conductors and ensembles.
If you're the academic type, Norton Publishing comprises excellent anthologies of music with important excerpts taken from the appropriate scores. Norton also just offers great books on the arts in general. Also, the 'Harvard Dictionary of Music' is essential because it will help anyone who is trying to navigate their way around a music library.
Believe it or not, there a people who will almost always listen to opera, or to solo pipe organ, so I would generally recommend to folks that they first do a little soul searching and then try to make that connection to what speaks to them the most. However, as far as who is important, that list would comprise at least 50 names but I want to add 2 composers who were not mentioned; Dieterich Buxtehude and Dmitri Shostakovich.
If you're the academic type, Norton Publishing comprises excellent anthologies of music with important excerpts taken from the appropriate scores. Norton also just offers great books on the arts in general. Also, the 'Harvard Dictionary of Music' is essential because it will help anyone who is trying to navigate their way around a music library.
Believe it or not, there a people who will almost always listen to opera, or to solo pipe organ, so I would generally recommend to folks that they first do a little soul searching and then try to make that connection to what speaks to them the most. However, as far as who is important, that list would comprise at least 50 names but I want to add 2 composers who were not mentioned; Dieterich Buxtehude and Dmitri Shostakovich.