It amazes me sometimes to learn that some really fine musicians I know have never sat and listened – really listened with full attention – to a single musical masterpiece by one of the all time geniuses of the musical art. Too sad, what they're missing. Doesn't matter what genre you prefer. Screw genres anyway. I'm getting a little tired of the whole concept of genres. Nothing but another way to keep people from talking to each other.

Maybe we've all been over-conditioned to associate orchestral music with movie backgrounds, easy listening elevator arrangements, and sonic wallpaper in general. Well, bad association. If you think that way, maybe you are missing out on some extraordinary beauty and wisdom, wrenching sadness, uplifting and sublime toe-tapping stuff that will move you because it is simply some of the most eloquent and powerful passages written in the language that you already understand best.

It is also stuff that requires you to stop and let it inside. That's the price you have to pay for the magic. I wish I could just give each of my musical friends an hour a week for the next year to do nothing but relax and listen to some great masterworks that have moved me over the years.

For now, here are the first 12 weeks worth. You can take it from there. Try one, and if that proves to be good enough, try another! Maybe you know me personally - would I steer you wrong? No way. Please! Life is short. Don't let it go by without hearing at least some of this genius! Then get back to me with something you've discovered that maybe I haven't heard.

Here are my 12 musical excursions that every (yes, Every!) musician must take, in my estimation - this means really listening, uninterrupted, un-distracted, live in a concert hall or through an excellent stereo system.

Of course there are many other choices, but this is my own personal starter list, and I have confidence that it would be a good starting point for others who have not yet fully discovered the world of the Masters. Find out why this music is still played, listened to, sought after, considered important, gushed over, bought, copied, recommended, danced, experienced, talked about, loved, repeatedly enjoyed, and why it continues to inspire countless others, hundreds of years after it was created!

Have you written music that will be listened to regularly 200 years from now? (Just asking.) Enjoy!


Mozart Symphonies 35, 40, 41

Beethoven Symphonies 3, 5, 7, 9

Brahms Symphony No. 1

Schumann Symphony No. 1

Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin

Mahler Symphony No. 4, and for the more adventurous,

Stravinsky Octet for Winds


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