"At 20 dollars, this is simply an amazing collection. With ten disks, that's roughly 2 dollars per disk. And each disk contains about an hour of music. That's about 10 hours! And surprisingly, the sound is actually good quality (not what one comes to expect). The conducting and the performers are also good. While you don't get any big names (aside from the composers themselves), you do get some very fresh and authentically performed music that is on par with any higher-priced disk. Each of the 10 CD's gets their own jewel case (standard packaging) and they are all contained in a cardboard box. I've had these disks for more years than I can remember and they're still in superb condition. This set is, really, probably the best gift of any kind you could give to anyone. They will increase anyone's appreciation of classical music with little cost. And with the diverse selection the set offers, it will serve to better anyone's education. This set gets my highest recommendation.The composers are: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, J. Strauss, Verdi, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Vivaldi."
So good i bought it twice
Gregory Pickering | Gainesville, Florida United States | 06/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This set was actually purchased by my father when it first came out years ago for the price of about 50 dollars. I was about 12 yrs old and had no clue about classical music. Though i was hesitant at first to listen to classical when all my friends listened to rap and stuff, i gave it a shot, and fell in love. I have made many attempts to find other collections that are even as close to the quality that this one is, and have not been happy with any of them. Over time these cds have gotten scratched or lost, so i took it upon myself to find this set again, and when i did, i bought two."
Excellent introduction to classical music!
Pat | El Paso, Texas USA | 07/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I received this boxed set of CDs for my eleventh birthday. Before, I really hadn't heard a variaty of classical music, but I understood classical music better after listening to this set. I am a piano student, so this set was beneficial to me in that area, as well. I was exposed to music of three of the four eras, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. This set gives some of the most famous works of some of the millenium's best composers. It's a good, basic introduction to classical music, and I would recommend it to any person who is just discovering the centuries-old magic of this genre. My collection of CDs grew rapidly after listening to this collection because my music appreciation grew. Now, three years later, I am very fond of classical music and own over fifty classical CDs. I'd like to think that this set is what sparked my interest."
A great and affordable collection
J.W. | PA, United States | 03/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this 10 cd set from a friend last christmas. This is truly a wonderful collection of works from very well known composers. The 10 cds cover a wide range of classical eras and styles, and they come in excellent packaging. Each disc is in its own seperate case, and all ten cases are put in a small yet sturdy cardboard box. The length of playing time on each disc varies from ~57 min to ~67 min, with most discs lasting longer than an hour. In addition, the inner flap of the cover case also provides a short yet informative biography of each composer. This disc set serves as a great way to begin for new classical music listeners. All the composers are well known and also new listeners of classical music may have even listened to a few pieces of the works.
While I frequently listen to classical music, there were some works by a few composers that I did not listen to (I also listen to pop, rock, french, russian, country, jazz..., so apparently Wagner and Verdi have eluded me). For example, I did not listen to Wagner's works, and most of Verdi's work were unknown to me. However, I listened to all of the cds and was quite pleased. The quality and performances on the discs are excellent, making this 10 cd set a definite steal considering its affordability. I also found that I really enjoy Verdi and Wagner's works, and now I will begin to look into other works of these composers.
If you are new to classical music and wish to start listening and enjoying this type of music, then this is a great way to get a full flavor of this genre without investing too much money. However, please understand that classical music usually takes time to appreciate. Play the cds, and if you dont like a piece, dont disregard it at first. Play it in the background or listen to it everyday--the point is to constantly listen. Over time, you will find that you can now detect nuances and certain parts that you particularly enjoy, and you will probably begin to like that piece. However, if you are already well versed in classical music, still consider buying this set, as it is a great addition to any library, and the price is certainly not exorbitant."
A great introduction to classical music
Brian Martin | From neither here nor there | 02/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was curious about classical music and wanted to learn more so I bought this set based on the previous reviews and the affordable price. I found this boxed set to be a great introduction. Each of the ten CD's is dedicated to a great composer and is kind of a greatest hits collection. The quality of the recordings are very good as is the selection of tunes included. After I listened to these cd's I was surprised at how many of these melodies I have heard before. I highly recommend this set to any novice listener of classical music."