Expert: David Froom - 9/3/2007

Question
Do you know any websites where I can listen to great classical pieces throughout the ages? And do you know any big names that I can look into, apart from Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, etc?

Answer
I don't know of any such website, but I can recommend that you visit your local library.  Libraries typically have a pretty good selection of classical recordings for you to check out.

Your other question is simply too vast.  You are asking about nearly 1000 years of music, and in each generation there are "big names."  Even if you restrict it to 18th-20th centuries, you are still talking about a LOT of music by a LOT of composers.  The only thing I can recommend is that you find a good "music appreciation" book.  These typically come with CDs these days, which would give you a sample of music, and you could explore further the things you like.

One of the standard such books is by Roger Kamien, called "Music, An Appreciation."  The book comes with a 9-CD set, and gives you a lot of information about a lot of composers.  There are plenty of other such books.  

Even better, if you live near a college or university, you might see if you can take a "music appreciation" class.  Nearly every college offers such a class, and these classes nearly always are open to "continuing education" or adult learners.

Happy listening,

David Froom