This CD contains some good pieces, but overall, the selections were not what I would have picked for a CD with this title. I used to think that I hated classical music, but now that I've sailed past 40 I have learned to enjoy it in almost every variety. Nevertheless, as a child of the Rock/Pop Music era, I can tell you most people today who think they hate classical music, think so because they've pretty much only heard the slower/less dramatic compositions. (I.e., "elevator" music.) The goal, of course, is to develop a real love for the genere, but in most cases, the introduction needs to be a "grabber." Perhaps I'm too skeptical, but while there is more than elevator music on this CD, I do not think it is on the whole upbeat or rythmatically appealing enough to sieze the interest of most of today's A.D.D. generation --- which is the presumable target audience.

I bought this cd for my father about 3 years ago. My father loved classical music. Actually, one might consider him quite the snob about classical music. Pop (was 83 at the time) and I (48 at the time) spent many an occasion listening to this wonderful cd. It has enough variety and familiar pieces (and yet, not the regular stuff) that we could let it play again and again and still be delighted with the pleasure that it brought to us both. I am listening to it even as I write this review. Buy, buy, buy! It is a PERFECT gift.

We humans are quite a stubborn bunch. Once we get something in our heads, it's hard to change our minds. I have been a life "shunner" of classical music. A pseudo snob, I couldn't waste time on music I couldn't.....A. Dance (poorly) to, or...B. Sing (horribly) along with. Yet in galleries, museums, or theatres, I would hear strains of truly beautiful music and would think "I just have to find out what that is!" Then, of course, I didn't. I finally forced myself to purchase this CD at the urging of my 12 year old and I fell in love. YOU know all of these pieces. YOU'VE heard them every time you cried during a tear-jerker or strolled through a museum. And YOU like them, you really, really like them. The CD has become one of my favorites and actually induced me to buy more classical music. The name of my new purchase? "MORE Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music." Hey -It's a start. Give this one a listen, it will seem like an old friend has come to visit. And you just might learn something.

This CD is good for those who do not regularly collect classical CD's. If you don't really know much about classical music, but would like just a taste, this CD is for. This album is also good for those who love classical music, I bought it because it had all of my favorite classical works all on one CD. I can play a song at a get together and everyone there has heard the song some where at some point in their lives.