Hey fellow gog'ers (what is the correct for of this?) I'm coming up to crunch time, so I'm making a classical play this to get me through it. Can people recommend me some pieces?

I'm sadly not that well versed in classical music and the pieces I like I can never remember the names of, so any thing from the old favourites to less know pieces would be appreciated.

So far on my list:

The four seasons op.8 concerto No.4: Vivaldi
The Nutcracker, OP 71a: II. March: Tchaikovsky
Romance: Prokofiev
Islamej:
Snow-storm: Sviridov
Prelude in C sharp minor OP.32: Rachmaninoff
Metamorphosis One: Glass

Thanks!

Holst's The Planets. I like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's version.

By crunch time I'll assume you're meaning studying or something of the like?

When I'm studying I like to listen to long things so that I don't have to change the tracks when I keep on listening to music (otherwise I distract myself looking for songs). So in that case I definitely recommed:

1) Die Zauberflote (bad german spelling) - Opera by Mozart. Superb unless you can understand German, in which case it might distract you because you can understand what they're saying.

2) Any other opera (Cozzi fan tutti, etc.) by Mozart

3) Etudes - Chopin

4) Piano concerto number 1 & 2 - Prokofiev

These are my personal favourites for studying. Also I would like to recommend this site:
http://classical-music-online.net/stat/?type=top_persons&person_type=composer

You can listen to high quality classical music from pretty much every composer ever, and for free!

If you like Vivaldi, you'd probably like Bach. The Brandenburg Concerti are probably the typical starting place for anyone interested in anything more than dabbling. At the bare minimum, throw all of the second and third concerti on your mix. Can't go wrong there. I'd also add in Iesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, because it's gorgeous.

Aaron Copland is a neo-classical composer, and perhaps the best of the early to mid 20th century ones. If you're old enough to remember the "Beef. It's what for dinner" ads from the US (don't know if they made it across the pond), that music in the background was from the Hoedown from Rodeo. If you know what the Olympic Games theme song is, that's the Fanfare For The Common Man. So to list Copland tracks to listen to: Rodeo (or at least the Hoedown from it), Fanfare For The Common Man (it's like a modern 1812 overture), and Appalachian Spring. If you like those, add in Billy The Kid.

There's no Beethoven, there. I'd say his fifth, sixth, and unfinished symphonies are worth your time. I'd really say they're all worth your time, but those are the three I'd start with if I had the chance to begin again.

Not a lot of people I know are familiar with Samuel Barber, but you should be. Get the Adagio for Strings.

You know, you could do worse than to dabble in the new neo-classicists, too. John Williams makes some damn fine music, and Clint Mansell is no slouch. But that's maybe outside your intended scope. Homework, then, to do at your own pace ;) There's so much more...so much. But without making this post fifty pages long, there are my suggestions for you. Enjoy ^_^

EDIT: Barber's Adagio For Strings is from his String Quartet, Op.11, in case you have trouble finding it. Sorry.

I've been getting into classical music lately, but I still don't know as many pieces as I'd like. :C
Anyway, some favorites so far:
Sibelius: Karelia Suite
Mahler: Symphony #2
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto #2

Also, I very much second the recommendation of The Planets by Holst. (especially Jupiter)

I love Ode an die Freude - here the full 9th Symphony

This flashmob version is great as well (although it's advertising for a bank, I think xD).

Depends I would guess on if you like simple or complex, major orchestra or simple piano, or a mix I guess

Classical and easy listening is ingrained in my childhood so I can only comment on how I started

I went wih simple piano first

I listened to Beethoven (moonlight sonata, fur elise, etc) so I could understand melody and chords

I extended to Mozart

I then looked at how these sessions progressed in complexity

Started to research multiple instrument scores but not full orchestra (try peter and the wolf, or similar)

I did this so I can pinpoint individual instruments and the uses of them

Then I moved to big symphonies, and I can now pinpoint minor percussion instruments along with major string instruments easily

Some people here have mentioned some great pieces of music and the melodies in all of them are beautiful and powerful.

just never forget something's are great just because they are simple, and minor piano sonatas are great to listen to

Check this radio:
http://www.rmfon.pl/play,7
classic and film music mixed 50/50

Isle of the Dead - Rachmaninoff

I believe the correct word to be "GOGlodytes"

Handel

Bach - The Art of Fugue

I think fugues are underrated in classical music...

I was going to say the same thing and I agree! \m/

Not classical but a modern interpretation of a hymn

You will get loads of people giving you classical harpsichord, being as its a piano being plucked not hit with hammers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIYsqTblh98