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For most people who don't know all that much about classical music, selecting a music gift for a real fan of the genre can be a bit intimidating. How do you know what to select, from a huge body of work that spans a number of centuries? How can you be sure that they'll love their gift?

Don't try to hedge your bets and get a classical compilation. While in theory, it sounds like a good idea to buy an album with a mix of different composers, most compilations generally select pieces that are widely popular. These, for the most part, will be classical selections that the general population would recognize as having heard many times in the past, even if they cannot identify the name of the piece or the composer. If you go this route, you run the risk of not only purchasing music that the classical fan already has, but also that you're purchasing music that they don't really wish to own. (Yikes!)

Instead, try to get a feel for their more specific tastes in classical music. Do they really like opera, or other choral pieces, instead of all instrumental music? Do they prefer the more romantic 19th century composers to the baroque and classical 18th century composers? Is there a particular instrument that they are especially fond of? For instance, a pianist might prefer Chopin, while a violinist might really enjoy Mendelssohn. Ask!

Once you have narrowed down their taste, find a good music store that specializes in classical CDs. The staff should be able to help you find a good quality recording by a top symphony orchestra. They can also guide you toward less well-known works by famous composers, that your classical music fan might not already have. Just be sure that your CD selection contains the entire piece of music - the whole symphony, the whole opera. If it says 'selections from' anywhere on the CD, skip it. You want your recipient to be able to enjoy the whole piece of music, as the composer intended it to be heard.

If your budget allows, you might consider searching for a set of the entire written works of a favorite composer. Be advised, this option may be costly - I recently saw a set of Mozart's complete compositions, and it consisted of 170 CDs.

If you'd rather give your classical music fan a gift of live music, check your local symphony orchestra or opera company for upcoming events. Often, a package isn't too costly, and will be a unique gift that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Live classical music - performed by talented musicians - is an amazing experience, and would be much appreciated.

This year, don't be intimidated when shopping for the classical music fan on your list. Arm yourself with a bit of information, do a little digging on their interests, and if needed, enlist the help of a knowledgeable sales associate. The extra effort will be well worth your while.

Learn more about this author, Erin St John.
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