First, start with the following CD: Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
It's not a perfect recording, but there's a great chance that you're familiar with almost all of the songs and the cover will even tell you where you have heard it in the past (i.e. commercials, etc.). I find that I enjoy music a lot more when it's familiar.
Second, I would suggest getting a few of the Jacques Loussier Trio CDs because they are classical music performed in a jazz style that I suspect you'll enjoy. I'd recommend The Four Seasons and The Brandenburgs, both are favorites in my collection.
Finally, I would suggest starting with smaller groups or concertos. I'm a huge fan of the violin. Here are a few suggestions:
(1) Lara St. John - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Piazzolla: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires [Hybrid SACD]
(2) David Garrett - Pure Classics
(3) David Garrett - Tchaikovsky Conus: Violin Concertos
(4) Ning Feng - Solo
(5) Ning Feng - Paganini: Hello Mr. Paganini
(6) Regina Carter - Paganini: After a Dream (this is more jazz than classical, but you'll love it)
David Garrett also has several crossover/rock CDs that are excellent.
Ning Feng is probably my favorite violin player because he makes the absolute most difficult pieces musical in a way that I have not heard anyone else match. His music is very technical so that may not appeal to you, but the recommened CDs are fantastic recordings.
It's not a perfect recording, but there's a great chance that you're familiar with almost all of the songs and the cover will even tell you where you have heard it in the past (i.e. commercials, etc.). I find that I enjoy music a lot more when it's familiar.
Second, I would suggest getting a few of the Jacques Loussier Trio CDs because they are classical music performed in a jazz style that I suspect you'll enjoy. I'd recommend The Four Seasons and The Brandenburgs, both are favorites in my collection.
Finally, I would suggest starting with smaller groups or concertos. I'm a huge fan of the violin. Here are a few suggestions:
(1) Lara St. John - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Piazzolla: The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires [Hybrid SACD]
(2) David Garrett - Pure Classics
(3) David Garrett - Tchaikovsky Conus: Violin Concertos
(4) Ning Feng - Solo
(5) Ning Feng - Paganini: Hello Mr. Paganini
(6) Regina Carter - Paganini: After a Dream (this is more jazz than classical, but you'll love it)
David Garrett also has several crossover/rock CDs that are excellent.
Ning Feng is probably my favorite violin player because he makes the absolute most difficult pieces musical in a way that I have not heard anyone else match. His music is very technical so that may not appeal to you, but the recommened CDs are fantastic recordings.