Mahler, Wagner, Tchaikovsky.  Do any of these names ring a bell? How about Mozart, Beethoven or Chopin?  These should help. Bottom line: they are a bunch of old, dead, white Europeans who wrote music.  Sure, we have all heard these names on PBS growing up (and hopefully our kids will, too) and might even be familiar with a tune or two.   Chances are, though, you hear the music from these guys more than you think, and some still have their melodies weaving their way into our movies and commercials.  Can you name a tune, though?
Before I jump into this article fingers first, I want to bring up I am not a music snob writing to condescend on your musical choice.  Chances are you like music; you will be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t.  I just want to share with you some of the greatest musicians to put a pen on  staff paper and my favorites as well.  This can be easily done with Spotify since you can listen to nearly anything except The Beatles.   By the way, if you don’t have Spotify you are missing out.  I am not expecting you to like what I suggest, but just try.  It’s free. My favorite piece is Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. 
Though the whole piece might be a little over-stimulating to new listeners, the Adagietto from this symphony is a must for new listeners.  It isn’t long; it is simple and flat out gorgeous.  If you only listen to one piece from this paper let this be it.  If you want a great example of how music can induce emotions, this is a fantastic case.
Next, check out Chopin’s Nocturne in E flat minor.  This elegant waltz popped up in a car commercial last year. Though Chopin wrote for the piano, Mattias Jacobsson’s cover on classical guitar is superb.  These next guys knew how to paint a picture with music.  Strictly an operatic composer, Wagner has many familiar tunes.  His “Ride of the Valkyries” helped set the scene in “Full Metal Jacket” and “Watchmen” while the Bridal Chorus from his opera Lohengrin (undeniably familiar) is heard at nearly every wedding.  The excerpt Sigfried’s Funeral March from his Ring Cycle as well as his overture from Tannhauser are great examples of how powerful music can be.  T
he only American composer on this list is John Williams.   If you have seen “E.T.,” “Jurassic Park,” “Jaws” and “Star Wars” and pick out a tune then you know his music.  For all of you muggles, mudbloods, wizards and witches, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was all him. 
The great thing with John Williams is how well the music fits with the movie; it paints a live picture.  Though you may not remember “Schindler’s List,” this work landed him one of his five Oscars.   Lastly, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite will surely put you in the Christmas mood.  This piece is the most performed ballet today with Swan Lake (another popular ballet of his) close behind.                
 I’ll end strong with the heavy hitters to clean up my article.  Bach’s Cello Suite in G major: Prelude is a fantastic piece to show how music has a direction it wants to move.  You can’t go wrong with Yo-Yo Ma performing it either.  Like it?   Check out Bach’s Partitas.  Does his style sound familiar?  The first eight notes of Bach’s Tocatta and Fugue in D minor is littered in horror movies and will put you in the Halloween spirit.   For Mozart I would suggest listening to Symphony No. 40 in G minor: Menuetto.  
If you like this, listen to the whole work and last symphonies as well.  Though Mozart’s music might be a bit stuffy, it is clean and simple.  His “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” are some of his most popular tunes.  Beethoven takes the cake for writing the most recognized piece with the first four notes of his Fifth Symphony.   Remember the mythic Greek scene with the flying horses and centaurs from “Fantasia?” That was from his Sixth Symphony.  Beethoven got the ball rolling on thematic music and helped inspire composers that write for movies now. Yes, nearly everyone I mentioned writes in a dead style.  Yes, music has evolved by way of people’s taste.  This doesn’t make the new stuff or the old stuff bad though. These works are staples in the music realm and have stood the test of time for a reason: it continues to inspire and teach young musicians.  Maybe you don’t like this kind of music.  That is completely fine.   I just encourage everyone get their headphones and go music surfing on Spotify to get out of your comfort zone. There is no harm in listening to something new for free.