There are several pieces that was part of my childhood. At age 5 I learned twinkle and played it somewhat successfully in front of relatives before mom decided I had no talent for music. I wouldn't get into serious piano playing for another 3 decades. At age 11 a cousin showed me pieces out of a beginner book. There was the Haydn "Surprise" (from Symphony 94) in C and an "Indian" Dance in Dm. The term "Indian" was used to label the natives of N. America than referring to people from India no longer in use. I didn't pick up these pieces immediately. The hands coordination wasn't there.
In the old days my knowledge of Classical music was limited to my father's LP collection of Beethoven & Mozart orchestral works, nothing for piano in particular. The only piano piece I knew was Beethoven "Für Elise". Most people including non-musicians would know this piece.
The year 1985 was the tri-centenary year of Bach & Handel (both born in 1785). There was a lot of Baroque music playing on the local Classical radio stations. After listening to the Bach French Suites, felt in love with the pieces. There were 2 memorable recordings by Keith Jarrett including "Sarabande" from Fr. Suite 3 in Bm and mvt 1 of the Italian Concerto in F.
Listening to piano /harpsichord music is 1 thing, learning to play was considered too difficult until I met a piano teacher giving demos that adults can learn piano. Another decade went by before I have the confidence to learn "Sarabande" from Fr. Suite 3.
A late learner but not too late...
