I think everyone can appreciate classical music if they actually understand what's going on. Here's a good video explaining (it's pretty long):
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/be...d_passion.html
People forget to realize that because of this music, we have progressed to jazz to rock 'n roll to pop/rap to alternative, etc.
It's kind of like world history. To get an understanding for the present and future we have to look at the history of something.