The Baroque Music Period

For a very informative history of
Baroque Music, visit Music History 102: The Baroque Age

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The Baroque Era spans from around 1600 to 1750, and includes Bach, Handel and Vivaldi as the main composers of the time. The very basic works of the era include Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, and Handel's Messiah. But if you are new to classical music, you may enjoy the recommended recordings below as a good starting point.

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
Conductor: Trevor Pinnock - Orchestra: English Concert
Label: Archiv - Catalog: 400045
The truly basic work of the Baroque era, the Four Seasons has been sampled and borrowed from literally thousands of times. These works are best heard in their entirely though, and this is a full price CD that should make up the start of your collection.

Bach - Orchestral Suites 1-4
Conductor: Marriner - Ensemble: Academy of St Martins-in-the-Fields
Label: PGD/LONDON CLASSICS - Catalog: 430378
Not quite so famous as the Brandenburg Concertos, but equally as charming. Marriner's mid-price disc manages to squeeze all four Suites on 1 CD by omitting some repeats, and is a perfect companion to the Brandenburg CD's that I am sure you already have :)