If I had to give a list, I'd give one thing from each of the major times (baroque, classical, romantic (early, late), early 20th, late 20th. Leave out the 20thC atonal stuff. Focus on "lively things" (think: does it have a beat). I'd also avoid the warhorses, so that it's not "I guess I'm supposed to like this". Then based on feedback, drill down. (This is assuming that it's a guided tour.)

This is unusual in a few respects. Maybe it’s just opinionated, which is fine. But putting Beethoven in the Romantic list is odd. Throughout most of his life, classical forms dominated. Beethoven was transitional but if forced to classify his music I’d place him in the classical era.

The choice of artists is interesting. It’s a matter of taste of course, but I think a more “neutral” reading of some of these concerti would be better. Perlman’s portamento shifts are indulgent; and Anne-Sophie Mutter’s tone comes across as strident even when a something more subdued is called for. For example for the Brahms violin concerto, James Ehnes is a better choice for an honest reading. The second movement in his hands is lovely without the drippy sentimentality into which Perlman can lapse.

If you remember it, it's Mozart.

If you can't, it's Haydn.

And if it sounds angry, it's Beethoven.

A quite nice and interesting, if subjective, list. I agree with most of its selection for the Romantic period, though I would add a little more Tchaikovsky and Grieg.

But a real objection would be the writer's assertion that Baroque is less suited for beginners. Just listen to some concerti grossi from the Italian masters (Albinoni, the Marcellos, Corelli, and such) and you'll be, I think, easily convinced otherwise.