The ‘Queen’s Gambit’ series soundtrack is the terrific original score, written entirely in a classical vein, by composer Carlos Rafael Rivera. //

Therein lies a clue about reaching American kids with little or no classical music education in their schools. They need to be introduced to the field with the later Russian musical tradition that only truly began in the mid-19th century, not the earlier German one reaching back to Bach.

Classical music educators naturally have a Beethoven complex and believe music history has to be presented in chronological order. But they should take the hint that Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” suite from nearly the end of the 19th century is always the most popular “classical” music at this time of year.