Welcome to the /classical/ sticky, here you'll find resources including audio courses, textbooks and selections of recordings to help you start to understand and appreciate classical music.
Have suggestions on how to improve this sticky? Post them in the thread.
AUDIO COURSE - HOW TO LISTEN TO AND UNDERSTAND GREAT MUSIC
This is the best online starter course in classical appreciation, and can be downloaded for free here: https://rutracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4922711
VIDEO COURSE - INSIDE THE SCORE
Don't have the time to take a full course? Watch these simplified explainers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZjrBvSPdGwS7Qv1qScnWcQcqiSBlD6cR
WEB COURSE - CLASSICAL.NET
A text-based resource outlining the various classical periods and styles, with suggested pieces and recordings: http://www.classical.net/music/rep/index.php
RECOMMENDED WORKS LIST - TALKCLASSICAL
These lists shouldn't be taken as gospel but are a quick and easy way to find new music: https://www.talkclassical.com/17996-compilation-tc-top-recommended.html
RECOMMENDED BOOKS LIST - TALKCLASSICAL
Same here, but for books about classical: https://www.talkclassical.com/2150-music-books-quick-reference.html
MUSIC THEORY COLLECTION - ARCHIVE.ORG
A wealth of free books on musical theory and practice: https://archive.org/details/BooksOnMusicTheoryHarmonyCounterpointOrchestrationinEnglishJazzToo
ESSAY ON BEETHOVEN'S SYMPHONIES - HECTOR BERLIOZ
French Romantic composer Berlioz's essay on Beethoven's Symphonies is a great starter guide to understanding and interpreting them: http://www.hberlioz.com/Predecessors/beethsym.htm
OC /CLASSICAL/ CHARTS
Ancient: https://s1.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596415375357.png
Medieval: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596415241229.png
Renaissance: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596415175368.png
Baroque: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596414840277.png
Classical: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596414907387.png
Romantic: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596414973128.png
Pre-War: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596415037299.png
20th Century: https://s2.desu-usergeneratedcontent.xyz/mu/image/1596/41/1596415102407.png
OC /CLASSICAL/ DOWNLOADS
General Folder #1. Renaissance up to 20th century/modern classical. Also contains a folder of live recordings/recitals by some outstanding performers:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!mMYGhBgY!Ee_a6DJvLJRGej-9GBqi0A
General Folder #2. Mostly 20th century/modern with other assorted bits and pieces:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!Y8pXlJ7L!RzSeyGemu6QdvYzlfKs67w
General Folder #3. Renaissance up to early/mid-20th century. Also contains a folder of Scarlatti sonate and another live recording/recital folder:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!kMpkFSzL!diCUavpSn9B-pr-MfKnKdA
General Folder #4. Renaissance up to late 19th century:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!ekBFiCLD!spgz8Ij5G0SRH2JjXpnjLg
General Folder #5. Very eclectic mix:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!O8pj1ZiL!mAfQOneAAMlDlrgkqvzfEg
General Folder #6. Yellow Piss stuff. Also there's some other stuff in here:
https://mega.nz/#F!DlRSjQaS!SzxR-CUyK4AYPknI1LYgdg
Renaissance Folder #1. Mass settings:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!ygImCRjS!1C9L77tCcZGQRF6UVXa-dA
Renaissance Folder #2. Motets and madrigals (plus Leiden choirbooks):
https://mega.co.nz/#F!il5yBShJ!WPT0v8GwCAFdOaTYOLDA1g
Debussy Folder:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!DdJWUBBK!BeGdGaiAqdLy9SBZjCHjCw
Opera Folder. Contains recorded video productions of about 10 well-known operas, with a bias towards late Romantic:
https://mega.co.nz/#F!4EVlnJrB!PRjPFC0vB2UT1vrBHAlHlw
Book Folder #1. Random assortment of books on music theory and composition, music history etc:
https://mega.nz/#F!HsAVXT5C!AoFKwCXr4PJnrNg5KzDJjw
Book Folder #2. Comprehensive list of the most important harpsichord and piano pieces through history:
https://mega.nz/#F!1xJgVSLA!i2eLakjehx5DY8qYUzS0Zg