As early as my teens I had liked the "French Impressionists" - Debussy, Ravel, Satie - because my father listened to a lot of classical and I picked up on some of his records, but I didn't really get into classical until the mid-90's when, on a whim, I bought a tape of Mozart's Requiem. Not long after that I started listening to Beethoven - I remember about the 4th or 5th time I listened to his 5th Symphony - the combined 3rd/4th movements - I was like, "WOW!!" Hadn't had a musical epiphony like that in the meantime until I started listening to the Beach Boys last year.
For various reasons, I think if you're into progressive rock you might also like the "French Impressionists." Music with lots of color and texture. My favorites include Ravel's Daphnis and Cloe Suite 1 (one of the greatest introductions/openings in music IMO), and La Mer and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun by Debussy. The latter of those two is probably just about the most beautiful piece of music ever written.
Also check out Gershwin's Lullaby arranged for string quartet.
I could go on forever on this but I think this is a good start.
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