Klassiske Komponister – Classical Music for the newbie

Last month, I bought a large collection of classical music CDs. Actually 67 in all and were presented in wonderful horizontal wooden stand. I thought that these would go nicely with my Bang and Olufsen BeoSound Ouverture with CD stand (that provides clutter-less CD environment. I just love it. Best B&O furniture ever) but sadly they don’t fit and are too tall. Oh well at least I have the wooden stand.

The collection or series is called in Danish “Klassiske Komponister” or translated to Classical Composers and is a wonderful introduction into the world of classical music. It was published in 2004 by International Masters Publishers, Delta Music Plc., Retrospective Recordings Ltd.

Each composer is divided by genre and defined by their masterpieces, for example with Beethoven you get his Fifth Symphony as No.1 and Piano Sonata No. 14, aka. Moonlight Sonata as No.2 on the track CD. Mozart is interesting enough contains The Marriage of Figaro as No.1 and Clarinet Concerto In A Major K 622 as No. 2, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik as No.6 and Requiem as No.10. So you get all his best pieces.

I am teaching my seven year-old niece about classical music – she loves Beethoven – and I’ve been looking for something like this for years. It can be daunting for those wanting to listen to classical music but don’t know where to start. This is where this series is absolute best.

Each CD contains a small biographical booklet so you can learn more about the composer’s life and background of each classical piece. It really is perfect and convenient; and the little ones can easily learn to recognise a couple of classical pieces quickly with general Q&A games that we sometimes do. I usually take one or two composers with me for listening when I drive to work in the morning. My niece plays Classical-DJ and decides which piece to listen. It really is a great way to learn.

There are about 12 tracks on a given CD – all the best collected, conveniently for the newbie who is starting out listening to classical music for the first time or the devotee that’s looking for an enticing all-round collection of the best masterpieces of the world’s best classical composers.

I highly recommend this. It’s a wonderful collection. If only I knew more about it. I would love to know how many originally were issued.

Good listening.