The 101 Most Essential Classical Music Pieces Ever

by Various Artists
Album · 35,064 Plays · 101 Songs · 35,064 Plays · 9:11:59

℗ 1992 Decca Music Group Limited

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1
Barber: Adagio For Strings, Op. 11/2 (Live)
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, David Zinman
2
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado
3
Debussy: Deux Arabesques L. 66: No. 1 Andante con moto
Zoltán Kocsis
4
Wagner: Die Walküre, WWV 86B - Concert version / Act 3: The Ride Of The Valkyries
London Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski
5
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma": 9. Nimrod (Adagio) (Live)
Czech Philharmonic, Leopold Stokowski
6
Pachelbel: Canon in D, P. 37
Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Karl Münchinger
7
Debussy: Suite bergamasque, L.75: 3. Clair de lune
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Herrmann
8
Beethoven: Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59 "Für Elise" (Live)
Vladimir Ashkenazy
9
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23: Prelude to Act 4 (Morning mood)
San Francisco Symphony, Edo De Waart
10
Satie: 3 Gymnopédies: No. 1, Lent et douloureux
Pascal Rogé
11
Liszt: Liebesträume, S. 541: No. 3, Oh Lieb, so lang du lieben kannst
Jorge Bolet
12
J.S. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565: Toccata
Daniel Chorzempa
13
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20, TH. 12: No. 10 Scène: Moderato
National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
14
Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E flat, Op. 9 No. 2
Claudio Arrau
15
Brahms: 2 Rhapsodies Op. 79: No. 2 In G Minor, Op. 79
Wilhelm Kempff
16
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: 2b. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
17
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma": Theme (Andante)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Giuseppe Sinopoli
18
Delibes: Lakmé / Act 1: "Viens, Mallika, ... Dôme épais"
Joan Sutherland, Jane Berbié, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte‐Carlo, Richard Bonynge
19
J. Strauss II: An der schönen blauen Donau, Op. 314
Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philharmoniker, Willi Boskovsky
20
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258: 1. Zadok the Priest
Choir Of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir David Willcocks
21
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tale Of Tsar Saltan: 3. The Flight Of The Bumble-Bee
Philharmonia Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
22
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt)
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
23
Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48: 4. Pie Jesu
Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal, Charles Dutoit
24
Verdi: Nabucco / Act 3: "Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves)
Wiener Staatsopernchor, Orchester Der Wiener Staatsoper, Lamberto Gardelli
25
Handel: Water Music Suite No. 1 in F, HWV 348: 5. Air
Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Simon Preston
26
Fauré: Pavane, Op. 50
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Herrmann
27
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, L.86
Timothy Hutchins, Orchestre Symphonique De Montréal, Charles Dutoit
28
Verdi: Rigoletto / Act III: La donna è mobile
Placido Domingo, Wiener Philharmoniker, Carlo Maria Giulini
29
Giazotto: Adagio for Strings and Organ in G minor (Arr. Giazotto)
Martin Haselböck, Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Karl Münchinger
30
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Op. 39: March No. 1 in D Major
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
31
Handel: Rinaldo, HWV 7a / Act 2: "Lascia ch'io pianga"
Raymond Leppard, Bernadette Greevy, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields
32
Allegri: Miserere
Saul Quirke, Westminster Cathedral Boys Choir, Stephen Cleobury
33
Handel: Solomon, HWV 67 / Act III: Sinfonia "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba"
The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
34
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 "Waldstein": II. Introduzione (Adagio molto)
Radu Lupu
35
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in F Major, Op. 8, No. 3, RV 293 "L'autunno": 1. Allegro
Alan Loveday, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
36
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8, No. 1, RV 269 "La primavera": 1. Allegro
Alan Loveday, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
37
Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8, No. 1, RV 269 "La primavera": 3. Allegro
Alan Loveday, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
38
J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria da Capo
András Schiff
39
R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30, TrV 176: Einleitung
Wiener Philharmoniker, Lorin Maazel
40
Debussy: La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin (From 24 Preludes, L. 117)
Albrecht Mayer, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Mathias Mönius
41
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia / Act 1: 5. "Una voce poco fa...Io sono docile"
Joan Sutherland, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
42
Orff: Carmina Burana - 3. Cour d'amours: "In trutina"
Lynne Dawson, San Francisco Symphony, Herbert Blomstedt
43
Holst: The Planets, Op. 32: 4. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
44
J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G, BWV 1048: 3. Allegro
I Musici, Maria Teresa Garatti
45
Debussy: Children's Corner, L. 113: 6. Golliwogg's Cakewalk
Pascal Rogé
46
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23: In The Hall Of The Mountain King
San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Edo De Waart
47
Massenet: Méditation from Thaïs
Nicola Benedetti, London Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Harding
48
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia: Overture
London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado
49
Debussy: Valse romantique, L. 71
Jean-Yves Thibaudet
50
Mozart: Requiem in D minor, K.626: Sequentia: Lacrimosa
Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chorus, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
51
Mozart: Serenade in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": I. Allegro
Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
52
Mozart: Serenade in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": II. Romance (Andante)
Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
53
Mozart: Serenade in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": IV. Rondo (Allegro)
Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
54
Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K331 (Third Movement - Rondo alla turca)
Allan Schiller
55
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 / Pt. 2: No. 42 "Hallelujah"
John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Karl Richter
56
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Walter Weller
57
Lagoya: Danses espagnolas sur les motifs de l'opéra Carmen de Georges Bizet: 2. Habanera
Alexandre Lagoya, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Kenneth Sillito
58
J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air
Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter
59
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492: Overture
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
60
J.S. Bach: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben Cantata, BWV 147: Jesu joy of man's desiring
Kirsten Flagstad, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
61
Verdi: Messa da Requiem: 2b. Tuba mirum - 2c. Mors Stupebit
Martti Talvela, Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti
62
Verdi: Messa da Requiem: 2. Dies irae
Ernst Senff Chor, Berliner Philharmoniker, Carlo Maria Giulini
63
Dvořák: Slavonic Dance in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 2 (Live)
Czech Philharmonic, Leopold Stokowski
64
Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Vladimir Ashkenazy
65
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178, "From the New World": II. Largo
Wiener Philharmoniker, Kirill Kondrashin
66
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": I. Adagio sostenuto
Vladimir Ashkenazy
67
Schubert: Ave Maria, D. 839
Elly Ameling, Dalton Baldwin
68
Purcell: When I Am Laid In Earth (Dido's Lament) (Album Version)
Elin Manahan Thomas, Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment, Harry Christophers
69
Holst: The Planets, Op. 32: II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
Wiener Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan
70
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: I. Molto allegro
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Josef Krips
71
Ravel: Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte, M.19 (Arr. for Oboe & Orchestra)
Albrecht Mayer, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Mathias Mönius
72
Dvořák: Serenade for Strings in E, Op. 22: 1. Moderato
Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
73
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 4 in A-Flat Major: Allegretto
Mitsuko Uchida
74
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - Act 1: 19. Balcony Scene
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
75
Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn
76
Puccini: Turandot, Act III: Nessun dorma!
Luciano Pavarotti, John Alldis Choir, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
77
J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Credo: VI. Et resurrexit tertia die (Chorus)
Wiener Singverein, Herbert Von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker
78
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto (Recorded 1983)
Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan
79
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98: I. Allegro non troppo (Recorded 1988)
Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan
80
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Iona Brown, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
81
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra: 2. Adagio
Pepe Romero, Christine Pendrill, Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
82
Elgar: Sospiri, Op. 70
Academy Of St Martin In The Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
83
Saint-Saëns: Le Carnaval des Animaux, R. 125: 2. Aquarium
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn
84
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14, H 48: IV. Marche au supplice (Allegretto non troppo)
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
85
Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
Renée Fleming, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras
86
Satie: Gnossiennes: No. 1, Lent
Reinbert De Leeuw
87
Handel: Water Music Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: 12. Alla Hornpipe
Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Simon Preston
88
Mendelssohn: The Hebrides Overture, Op. 26 "Fingal's Cave"
Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan
89
J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
Pierre Fournier
90
Mendelssohn: Elijah, Op. 70, MWV A25 / Part 1: "Help, Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us?"
Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Stephen Doughty, Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment, Paul Daniel
91
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: III. Adagio
Julian Lloyd Webber, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin
92
Saint-Saëns: Le Carnaval des Animaux, R. 125: Le Cygne
Anne Martindale Williams, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, André Previn
93
Shostakovich: The Gadfly, Op. 97: 3. Youth (Romance)
Erez Ofer, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
94
Borodin: Prince Igor, Act II: Polovtsian Dances and Chorus
London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
95
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 / Act 1: 13. Dance Of The Knights
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy
96
Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141: No. 3, La campanella
Jorge Bolet
97
Beethoven: Polonaise in C Major, Op. 89
Julius Katchen
98
Gounod: Ave Maria
José Carreras, Michael G. Gormley, Wiener Symphoniker, Uwe Christian Harrer
99
Purcell: Oedipus: Music For A While, Z583
Andreas Scholl, Accademia Bizantina, Stefano Montanari
100
Franck: Panis angelicus, CFF 209
Luciano Pavarotti, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Kurt Herbert Adler
101
Tchaikovsky: Overture 1812, Op. 49 - Choral version, edited by Andrew Cornall: Ouverture solennelle "1812", Op. 49 - Choral Version
St.Petersburg Chamber Choir, Leningrad Military Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy

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