I always put classical music on when i bake, and i have been doing some serious baking this weekend. I've been working on rhubarb and walnut loaves since rhubarb is growing everywhere right now.
Anyway, i picked up this box set of all of Beethoven's symphony about 6 months ago and i love it. Beethoven's 5th and 9th symphonies understandably get all the love, but Eorica is absolutely magnificent. Originally called "Napoleon", Beethoven intendit as a praise to Napoleon's military prowress and commitment to the French Revolution, but quickly changed the name and 4th movement after Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France. I've been obsessed with the Napoleonic wars for the past couple years after i started reading my dad's old Hornblower books, so i spent my afternoon baking rhubarb and thinking about Napoleon.
I have been picking up a classical record every time i visit a shop to fill out my collection. Box sets like this are great because i get hours and hours of music for maybe $20, or i can get favorites of mine such as Holst's The Planets or the 1812 Overture for a couple bucks. I am currently hoping to find the complete Nutcracker suite for when i do my Christmas cookies this year.
