Reddit reviews Greatest Hits Beethoven

I've been listening heavily for about 2 and a half year now. What I did at first was find some pieces that I liked(as you have) then hunted down a 'greatest hits' type CD to hear other music from said composer.

> Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

For example, check this out regarding Beethoven. A lot of these tracks are just parts of something bigger(e.g., track 8 is the 3rd movement from his 3rd symphony[highly recommended!]). Find one or two of these that you like, then hunt down the entire piece and hear it as a whole.

That's what I did, and it helped me to discover lots of different music from different composers.

It also helped me to take large scale works(like a symphony) one movement at a time. Listen to the same movement over and over and over, then once you know it, listen to another one. Also, there's no need to start in any particular order. Start with the last movement if it should speak to you the most.

That's awesome you're into it now. 'Classical' music changed my life. I'm so so so glad it's a part of me now...

Also, I've got to plug this, though Mahler might be a bit daunting if you're just starting out(this is one of his more digestible pieces). Some of his work is enormous. This is just a single movement (4th) from Symphony No 5.

I would start with a "greatest hits" CD from each of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and Chopin.

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-F-Chopin/dp/B0001AP19Y/

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-Beethoven-L-V/dp/B000002A1D/

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Mozart/dp/B00005A8JZ/

http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-J-S-Bach/dp/B000002A1B/

From there you'll get an idea whether you like the classical period or the romantic period, etc. Also, whether you like solo piano, strings, or orchestra. At that point you can google similar composers from the same period, similar pieces using the same instruments, etc.