Others say...

"CD set is misnamed"
They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

"Do not Buy"
I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

"Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music"
We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

"It Is What It Is"
It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

"Dreadful, isn't it?"
What you get here is one more review from a person who has not heard this compilation. But don't be hasty to skip it. I will try to make it informative.

About the product: you get several short excerpts from "catchy" classical pieces from awful interpreters and dubious sound engineering.
In case you can't figure all the things, which are wrong about the above sentence, let me expand.
"Short excerpts" means you will never get to appreciate the full meaning and value of the piece, as the composer intended it.
"Catchy pieces" means that someone picked the pieces they think you want to listen, and thus you miss a large number of things. Just to name two: 1. great pieces that were left out 2. the pleasure of discovery
"awful interpreters" means that the artists performing the pieces cannot do them justice. They can't render the pieces in a satisfactory fashion, and you will enjoy the pieces less. A personal note here: The first recording I owned of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony "Choral" (featured in this compilation) was from a mediocre orchestra (Sueddeutsche or something like that; I have "misplaced" the CD). The first time I listened to the Symphony performed by reputable artists (Vienna, Boehm) it was a revelation. Since then I have moved on to listen other conductors' approaches (Furtwaengler, Fricsay). Well maybe this story doesn't say much to you.
But I say it anyway, so as to point out this: If you are going to buy a compilation such as this, please do yourself a favour and buy something like "Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits". At least there you get the likes of Karajan, Abbado, Barenboim... Perhaps these names mean nothing to you. But they will make some difference, whether you know them or not.
"dubious sound engineering": perhaps you wonder how I know this, if I haven't heard the compilation. I simply read all the other reviews! Yes, you've got here a chap with plenty of time in his hands. Well, whenever there was a mention about the sound quality, it wasn't favourable.

And for those who read "rattfink"'s review and are a little too quick to judge him, let me tell you in as much confidence as I can have about someone I don't know: he's being ironic. I checked his other reviews, and sure enough Aaron Copland conducted by L. Bernstein turns up among others. I think he's being ironic towards both ends. It is pointless to argue here, whether being ironic is productive.

For those of you who don't like long texts, here it is:

Bottom line AKA Conclusion

Don't buy this compilation. It is awful. Your money is better spent elsewhere. If you hate classical music, stay that way. If you don't know much about classical, but would like to learn, then steer clear of this and search for something else.