I teach a music appreciation course.  I often need to use short
examples of pieces to play for my class.  (In the past I've used
casette tapes with great success.)  I am looking for a USER-FRIENDLY
software program (as easy as recording a cassette tape - or close to
it)
which will allow me to:  1.  Begin and end a
recording anywhere on the CD with ease.  For example, I might want to record
from 0'34" to 1'45" without having to hunt and peck for the exact
location (like I've had to do with some wave editors, with mixed
results.)  2.  Be able to make a compilation disk of a variety of
selections.  Some of the selections might cross over two of more
tracks, and I want to be able to record with no pause between tracks. 
BUT I also want to be able to have pauses between selections.  I know
there is software that is all or nothing, but that's no good for me.
3. Easily see a list of the selections that I have chosen to be
burned, and add and remove as needed.  I've had instances where I will
record a selection, and not be able to find it again my computer.

From what I understand from your question, you are not looking for a
CD burning software but you are looking more so for a music editing
software. One of the best softwares out there to do the stuff that you
want is Adobe Premiere 1.5. You can mix and match, edit clips, crop
where you want the clip to stop and where to start. its a very good
software, it can be basically used for all kinds of multimedia
editing, making movies etc too. The problem with this software is that
it is a little pricey ($699). However its the best software out there
for these kind of needs. Also, if you are just going to be using it
for Audio editing, Adobe has another product called Adove Audition Ver
1.5 ($299). A cheaper software which I believe comes with Windows XP
is Microsoft Movie Maker. I have no experience with it quite honestly
and wouldnt be able to give you sound advice on that. Also if you are
looking for freebies, I might be able to research some more, and help

http://www.adobe.com/products/main.html for Adobe products

As far as burning CD's goes, I have been using Ahead Nero for years.
It is available on download.com at:

http://www.download.com/Nero-6-Ultra-Edition/3000-2646_4-10383854.html?tag=lst-0-1