Light diversions

One way to get into classical music or to try new famous pianists is by reading up on who has won awards--Maurizio Pollini is an incredible player, and he recorded the famous J.S. Bach's 1722 The Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1, listen to it here.

Pollini has won many awards as a pianist, including the famous International Ettore Pozzoli Piano Competition from his native Italy. Check out who's won here to open your horizons and try new performers.

Even if you don't think Bach is one of your top favorite composers, Pollini gives his work a lightness of spirit that is really refreshing. It's perfect summer listening, and is soothing in the sometimes annoying heat.

Other music to try is Dvorak's famous and moving emotive piece 'Romance Op.11 in F minor' [F moll. en fa mineur] from the popular Fire & Ice recording--it also has an incredible remix of Sarasate on the opera Carmen's melodic themes, featuring the famous violinist Sarah Chang and directed by the famous opera singer Placido Domingo with the Berliner Philharmoniker.