Classic 100 Countdowns (ABC)
Since 2001, ABC Classic FM has organised a number of Classic 100 Countdown surveys.[1] The results of each survey are decided by votes cast by the listeners of ABC Classic FM. Several months after the voting, the works are played in reverse order of popularity—usually over an intense seven to ten days of programming.
The countdown culminates in the broadcast of a live concert featuring the most popular pieces, and finishing with the number one listener choice. A feature of the countdown is that the top 100 pieces are kept secret until announced (including during the final concert).
The top five in each of the countdowns are as follows:
Year |
Countdown |
Top 5 |
2001 |
Classic 100 Original |
- Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A, K. 622
- Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 Choral
- Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 73 Emperor
- Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
|
2004 |
Classic 100 Piano |
- Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27/2 Moonlight
- Bach, J.S.: Goldberg Variations
- Debussy: Clair de Lune from Suite bergamasque
- Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1
- Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 Pathétique
|
2005/6 |
Classic 100 Opera |
- Bizet: "Au fond du temple saint" ("In the depths of the temple") from The Pearl Fishers
- Verdi: "Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco
- Delibes: "Sous le dôme épais" (Flower Duet) from Lakmé
- Mozart: "Soave sia il vento" (Act 1 trio) from Così fan tutte, K. 588
- Purcell: "Thy hand, Belinda ... When I am laid in earth" (Dido's Lament) from Dido and Aeneas
|
2006 |
Classic 100 Mozart |
- Clarinet Concerto in A, K. 622 – Adagio
- Ave verum corpus, K. 618
- Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K. 467 – Andante
- "Soave sia il vento" (Act 1 trio) from Così fan tutte, K. 588
- Requiem, K. 626 Lacrimosa
|
2007 |
Classic 100 Concerto |
- Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 73 Emperor
- Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
- Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61
- Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
- Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
|
2008 |
Classic 100 Chamber |
- Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major, D667 Trout
- Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D956
- Schubert: Nocturne in E-flat major for piano trio, D897
- Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 Archduke
- Schubert: String Quartet in D minor, D810 Death and the Maiden
|
2009 |
Classic 100 Symphony |
- Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 New World
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Choral
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastoral
- Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 Organ
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
|
2010 |
Classic 100—Ten Years On |
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
- Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor Concerto
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastoral
- Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
- Handel: Messiah, HWV 56
|
2011 |
Classic 100 Twentieth Century |
- Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor
- Holst: The Planets
- Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
- Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
- Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
|
2012 |
Classic 100 Music of France |
- Bizet: Carmen
- Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3
- Fauré: Requiem
- Satie: Gymnopédies
- Bizet: Au fond du temple saint
|
2013 |
Classic 100 Music in the Movies |
- Morricone: The Mission
- Williams: Star Wars
- Shore: The Lord of the Rings
- Vangelis: Chariots of Fire
- Jarre: Doctor Zhivago
|
2014 |
Classic 100 Baroque and Before |
- Handel: Messiah, HWV 56
- Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Op. 8
- Allegri: Miserere
- Handel: Water Music
- Bach, J.S.: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244
|
2015 |
Classic 100 Swoon |
- Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
- Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
- Barber: Adagio for Strings
- Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel
- Allegri: Miserere
|
References