If your idea of classical music is a Lionel Richie cassette tape, it might be time to dial your perspective back a notch. Like, back a few (or few hundred) years, until you get to the good stuff — the stuff that gives you crazy chicken skin and makes you wonder why you never listened to the oboe before. It's easy to get hooked on the classics, you just have to know where to start. The upcoming season of the Honolulu Symphony's Masterworks and Pops programs has a few beginner-friendly concerts that'll hook you, not bore you. And you don't have to sit in the front to get the full experience. The cheap seats (they start at $19) will do just fine. (See the season schedule and ticket information at right.)

JOHANNES BRAHMS: SEPT. 6, 7

Start next weekend with Johannes Brahms, the master of feel-good music. If you don't leave happy, you weren't listening.

First, download this: "Brahms' Greatest Hits: Budapest Symphony Orchestra & Vienna State Opera."

"AMERICAN IN PARIS": OCT. 10, 11

The "American in Paris" program is a more contemporary concert of American composers and, yes, the very easy-on-the-ears George Gershwin is on the program. You're bound to recognize some of this music. Hear it like it should be heard: loud and powerful.

First, download this: "Gershwin's An American in Paris: Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra."

"PETER AND THE WOLF": DEC. 13, 14

If Hurley can't persuade you to go to the symphony, then, dude, we're out of options. "Lost" actor Jorge Garcia will narrate the familiar fairytale "Peter and the Wolf." See how entertaining the classics can be.

First, download this: "Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf," narrated by David Bowie.

"CARMINA BURANA": APRIL 11, 12, 2009

No classical music primer would be complete without opera. You might hate it ... but you might not. There's no better way to find out than by going to your first "Carmina Burana" concert. It'll leave an impression.

First, download this: "Carmina Burana: Boston Symphony Orchestra & Seiji Ozawa."

1812 OVERTURE: MAY 9, 10, 2009

You've heard the classics' lighter side, flirty side and charming side — but can you handle a war tune like Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture? Written to commemorate Napoleon's invasion of Russia, this piece is big and super bold. This is what most people think of when they think "classical" music. But you're ready for it, so bring it on, right?

First, download this: "Tchaikovsky, Borodin & Rimsky-Korsakov: Overture 1812 and Other Russian Favorites."

HONOLULU SYMPHONY MASTERWORKS 2008-2009 SEASON SCHEDULE

Watts Plays Brahms

8 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sept. 7

Conductor: Andreas Delfs

Featured guest: Andre Watts, piano

The season makes a grand opening with an all-Brahms program. You haven't heard Johannes Brahms' third symphony until you've heard it live. The Honolulu Symphony Chorus lends its collective voice.

Wagner's 'Ring' Without Words

8 p.m. Sept. 13; 4 p.m. Sept. 14

Conductor: Andreas Delfs

Featured guest: Cho-Liang Lin, violin

It's the best of Richard Wagner, minus all the super long bits.

American in Paris

8 p.m. Oct. 10, 11

Conductor: David Allen Miller

Featured guest: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

A night of contemporary American masters: the always charming Gershwin, plus Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and John Adams.

World's Greatest Piano Concertos

8 p.m. Oct. 18; 4 p.m. Oct. 19

Conductor: Mei-Ann Chen

Featured guests: Joyce Yang, Jie-Chen and Peng-Peng, piano

Liszt, Grieg and Rachmaninoff — "great" is an understatement.

All-Strauss Experience

8 p.m. Nov. 8; 4 p.m. Nov. 9

Conductor: Andreas Delfs

Featured guest: J. Scott Janusch, oboe

Both Strausses make an appearance: waltz king Johann and orchestral master Richard.

Sibelius Symphony No. 2

8 p.m. Nov. 15; 4 p.m. Nov. 16

Conductor: JoAnn Falleta

Featured guest: Sharon Isbin, guitar

JoAnn Falletta, warmly received at previous concerts here, returns to conduct a program of dancing guitar works.

'Peter and the Wolf'

8 p.m. Dec. 13; 4 p.m. Dec. 14

Conductor: Andreas Delfs

Featured guest: Jorge Garcia

"Lost" actor Jorge Garcia narrates Prokofiev's beloved fairytale.

Beethoven's Ninth

8 p.m. Dec. 27

Conductor: Andreas Delfs

The New Year's tradition continues with the symphony's annual presentation of Beethoven's final work. The Honolulu Symphony Chorus performs.

Opera Legend Sumi Jo Sings 'Carmina Burana'

8 p.m. April 11, 4 p.m. April 4

Conductor: Jean-Marie Zoutani

Featured guests: Sumi Jo, soprano; Brian Stucki, tenor; David Adam Moore, baritone

Classical music lovers' rule No. 23: Never miss a chance to hear "Carmina Burana" sung live. The Honolulu Symphony Chorus has an opportunity to shine in this performance.

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 1

8 p.m. May 2; 4 p.m. May 3

Conductor: Vasily Petrenko

Featured guest: William Wolfram

Pianist William Wolfram brings the brilliance — and dreamy bliss — of Rachmaninoff's first concerto to life.

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture

8 p.m. May 9; 4 p.m. May 10

Conductor: Andreas Delfs

Featured Guest: Giora Schmidt, violin

Napoleon's invasion of Russia never sounded so good. This one is minus the cannon shots, we presume.

TICKET INFO

Tickets: $19-$70; multi-concert packages start at $104 for a six-concert package. Full-season subscriptions: $198-$740, depending on seating section.

www.ticketmaster.com, www.honolulusymphony.com, 792-2000

Special programs: