Guides
Guides and essays on exploring classical music.
Work of the Week
A single work to live with for a week.
Work of the Week · June 4, 2026
Bruckner's Symphony No. 8: A Beginner's Guide and Two Great Recordings
An approachable guide to Bruckner's Eighth Symphony — where to start listening, why it's so long, and how Karajan's final recording compares to Boulez's live performance in Bruckner's own church.
Work of the Week · June 11, 2026
Mahler's Symphony No. 5: A Beginner's Guide and Two Great Recordings
An approachable guide to Mahler's Fifth Symphony — the funeral-march opening, the famous Adagietto and its love-letter story, and how Bernstein's fiery recording compares to Abbado's precision.
Venue of the Week
A great concert hall, and what makes it sound the way it does.
Where to Start
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Bach
Where to start with Bach: begin with the Cello Suite no. 1 and a Brandenburg Concerto, then follow a simple listening order into his bigger works.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Beethoven
New to Beethoven? Start with the Fifth Symphony and the Moonlight Sonata, then follow a simple four-work listening order built for first-time listeners.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Brahms
A listening order for newcomers to Brahms: start with the quiet Intermezzos, op. 117 and the Violin Concerto, then work up to the First Symphony and the late Clarinet Quintet.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Chopin
New to Chopin? Begin with the Nocturnes and the Raindrop Prelude, then follow this four-work listening order through the Heroic Polonaise to the First Ballade.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Debussy
New to Debussy? Start with the Suite Bergamasque and the Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, then follow this four-work listening order all the way to La Mer.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Mahler
Wondering where to start with Mahler? Begin with the Titan Symphony and the Rückert-Lieder, then follow our four-work listening order into the Resurrection.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Mozart
New to Mozart? Start with Eine kleine Nachtmusik and Piano Concerto No. 21, then follow this four-work listening order through Symphony No. 40 to the Clarinet Concerto.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Shostakovich
New to Shostakovich? Begin with the Fifth Symphony and the First Piano Concerto, then follow this four-work listening order through the Eighth String Quartet to the Tenth Symphony.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Tchaikovsky
New to Tchaikovsky? Begin with the Nutcracker Suite and the First Piano Concerto, then follow this four-work listening order into Romeo and Juliet and the Fifth Symphony.
Where to Start · September 11, 2026
Where to Start with Vivaldi
New to Vivaldi? Start with the Four Seasons and the Gloria, then follow this four-work listening order into his night music and the concertos that taught Bach.