From time to time in life, I’ve been asked what is the appeal of classical music for devotees like me, and whether there’s any point in someone the questioner’s own age giving it a try. I’ve usually stumbled answering such questions, and lately I’m hearing them a little more often. Here’s a one-evening stab at answering them. Be forewarned: the question is not entirely simple and the answer is not entirely brief.

Some of my best CD and MP3 albums