#classic100 — Public Fediverse posts

#8. Cello Suites, BWV1007-1012: No. 1 in G major, BWV1007 I. Prelude - Bach, Johann Sebastian
How wonderful to see Bach here again. I hoped we would meet him once more before the end, in the top 10, and this is a pure delight

If only our time weren't so short. But what can you do? Trying to fit one hundred into two days is so demanding.

#7. Rhapsody in Blue - Gershwin, George
Dare I say this is fractally good? The whole is great, the sections are great, the notes are great.

#6. The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace: XII. Benedictus - Jenkins, Karl
I voted for this!
I knew this would be here, and I knew this would be high up.
Let us stop, let us reflect, and let us have peace.

#5. Messiah, HWV56: "For unto us a child is born" - Handel, George Frideric
Oh Handel I can't stay mad at you. Glorious music, as much as I am not a fan of the subject matter.

#4. The Lark Ascending - Vaughan Williams, Ralph
This is the only piece I could think of to occupy this spot, given where we are and where we have been. I don't know why I have this irrational resistance to liking the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Probably it is some wretched contrarian impulse best left unfed.

It's so nice. Hating it would be like tormenting a bird for being too pretty. And I do believe the world needs more named pieces that run for a quarter hour and aren't specifically known by the name of their underlying structure.

#3. The Planets, Op. 32: I. Mars 'The Bringer of War' - Holst, Gustav
Called it :d But now I am totally lost as to what will come next. Anyway this had to be here somewhere. The ur-text for a century of film scores. Took a long time for me to finally get to hear this suite in full and I personally would not have rated it quite so highly (top 30, maybe?) but perhaps for its influence on music subsequent and impact on listeners it really does belong up here.

I'm very glad that we are getting to linger with The Planets here. I get that there are probably logistical and maybe labour reasons why these countdowns are only two days of the weekend now, but I very much miss when they used to span four days and we would hear full pieces and much longer excerpts. Too many of the other pieces feel rushed.

#2. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor': II. Adagio un poco mosso - Beethoven, Ludwig van
I should have known. Of course. I should have known. Magnificent, magical, and not all intended to honour an emperor of any kind. What a wonderful concerto.

#1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral': IV. Finale - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Finally! Someone who knows how to write music!

I kid, I kid.

Look. We all knew this was going to top the list. Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 has won these countdowns so many times it would be a minor miracle if it didn't win this time as well.

I voted for this. I did. I didn't want to. I wanted to give a boost to something less favoured, spice things up a bit. But the brief said "greatest of all time". And this IS the greatest of all time. So I had to. It would have been dishonest not to vote for Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. And now here we are, comfortably at the top.

Worth it.


P.S. The following week they also played the pieces that came 200-101 in two 1-hour blocks Mon-Fri. I tried writing down my thoughts on those too but I didn't have anything to say about most of them. Probably doesn't help that fitting 100 pieces into 10 hours is much more compressed than fitting 100 into 16 hours, so we don't get as long to sit with and ruminate on each piece. #ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#22. Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV565 - Bach, Johann Sebastian
Pierced through the heart, swooning.

I voted for this! And I would love to say that it was robbed by being so low. But I think I shall just enjoy it instead. Magnificent top to bottom, front to back. Truly sublime music to get lost in.

That said, it does provoke in me a little identity crisis. My favourite of Johann Sebastian Bach's music, yet its authorship is disputed. If he did not compose this, do I truly love his music if this is what I prize highest of his work?

(and aside, I do hope something of Bach's rates higher than this. it would be gratifying to see his work somewhere in the top 10)

#21. The Four Seasons - Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8 RV297 'Winter': I. Allegro non molto - Vivaldi, Antonio
Maybe it's sour grapes about the Bach but I've had enough of Vivaldi and his seasons. How come they count separately if all of Chopin's Nocturnes must count for on- hang on. This sounds really interesting. I want to track down a copy of this recording for my collection if I can.

#20. The Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit (Film Series): The Fellowship of the Ring "Concerning Hobbits" - Shore, Howard
This might be my favourite film music, especially for its commitment to creating a whole other world. Of course we will have at least the Star Wars soundtrack yet to come, but what can you do?

#19. Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 'Enigma': IX. "Nimrod" - Elgar, Edward
Superlative <3 (I voted for this)

I should give the other Enigma variations a go someday. Although of course we all know that Nimrod is a crystallised shard of perfection

#18. Spiegel im Spiegel - Pärt, Arvo
Seriously considered voting for this one. It is so slow, and beautiful, and contemplative. And I always think a touch melancholy, and wonder if that is really there or if this is what I am bringing to it as the listener.

Take a long moment and press the reset button on yourself.

#17. Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World': IV. Allegro con fuoco - Dvořák, Antonín
I voted for this!

A pure, unconsidered smile on my face. What a wonderful sound! What a wonderful symphony!

We are getting too high for me to keep arguing all my picks should be higher (although they should), so let's just bask in the magic.

#16. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto - Beethoven, Ludwig van
NOT directly after Clair de Lune, alas, but we do have to have this.

Play the rest though. I like the slow movement much better when it is accompanied by the fast. Then it becomes truly special.

#15. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto - Rachmaninov, Sergei
The return of Rachmaninov!

A gentle river, carrying us somewhere wonderful. This is excellent, and I may be a heretic, but I think I prefer the Piano Concerto No. 3.

#14. Clarinet Concerto in A major, K622: II. Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, I knew we would meet again here. It's nice.

#13. The Mission: "Gabriel's Oboe" - Morricone, Ennio
How could I forget the very popular soundtrack of The Mission? A film I really must see. I don't think I can truly appreciate the music without having seen the film.

#12. Star Wars (Film Series): Episode IV - A New Hope "Main Title" - Williams, John
A classic. The low culture counterpart to The Mission's high, I suppose.

I considered voting for this, but only for my beloved Yoda's Theme. The rest is pretty good but I wouldn't have put it as "Greatest of All Time" unless I had been thinking of putting in ten votes for each of the greatest of all time (in $category), which I kind of wish I had thought to do.

#11. Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Moderato - Elgar, Edward
Obligatory. The damnedest thing though. It's actually really really good? So try as I might, I can't begrudge its presence here.

#10. Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 - Barber, Samuel
I don't think this should be here. It's good, but it isn't that good. Which isn't to say I won't enjoy listening to it, it's sweeping, it's lovely, it's just that I would in no way put it among the greatest of all time.

#9. Requiem in D minor, K626: III. Sequentia: Lacrimosa - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
I forgot we hadn't had this one yet! The one piece I would expect to place above the clarinet concerto, and one I think much more highly of.

It's so much! Fantastic.
#ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#35. Turandot: "Nessun dorma" - Puccini, Giacomo
This piece is huge, sure, but I stand by my statement re:Flower Duet.

#34. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto - Beethoven, Ludwig van
It has been so long since I listened to Beethoven's symphonies I don't remember where BEethoven was going with this. Weird, would say it sounds unsymphonic but if anyone gets to define what is symphonic surely it must be Beethoven.

Still I definitely consider this one of the Beethoven symphonies I am less familiar with

#33. Wild Swans: "Eliza Aria" - Kats-Chernin, Elena
I said I would take Delibes' Flower Duet over all others, so was I lying? Well, no, but maybe cheating a little. This is a ballet you see. ;-)

It also isn't my favourite by Kats-Chernin, although I don't expect any of the music I prefer like Clocks to make it in. Wild Swans and the Eliza Aria are sparkling dewdrops of wonder though, definitely deserve to be here.

#32. Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64: Dance Of The Knights - Prokofiev, Sergei
Oh, shivers. Have been thinking this year I ought to give more attention to Prokofiev.

#31. Nocturnes: Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 - Chopin, Frédéric
It is my supposition that we must lump the nocturnes all together or else they would split their own vote and disappear from the countdown altogether. If this is as high as Chopin goes.

Let us hear the piano speak, and she says "Go to bed".

#30. The Four Seasons - Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8 RV269 'Spring'': III. Allegro pastorale - Vivaldi, Antonio
So why not the Four Seasons as a unit, if Chopin's Nocturnes are a unit?

#29. 1812 Overture, Op. 49 - Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich
Has been a long time since I got to listen to the long, quiet sections at the beginning. I think it really spoils a piece like this to leap straight into "the good bits". That build-up is generally there for a reason! And the anticipation is so much fun.

#28. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio - Beethoven, Ludwig van
A symphony fifth for a king! Beethoven would have hated that (or was it only emperors he found so objectionable?).

Anyway there's so much energy here, it's thrilling. And then it quietens down and we have a moment to wonder… is this what it's all about?

Yes, yes it is.

#27. Carmina Burana: I. O Fortuna - Orff, Carl
I once tried to woo a girl with lyrics from this cantata. It, ah, did not go well. Which is just as well. In retrospect we weren't compatible at all.

Fantastic sound though. Love it, very happy to be hearing it here.

#26. Boléro - Ravel, Maurice
One of those pieces I went off of from overexposure. Dearly hoping there is more of Ravel later because his music is wonderful and he deserves better than this.

(I'm too harsh on it. I can't stay mad at Boléro, it is magnificent)

#25. Swan Lake, Op. 20: X. Scène - Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich
This was on my shortlist! I agonised over taking it out of my vote.

So happy they are playing the portion I love best. Truly music to sway and to dance to.

#24. The Nutcracker, Op. 71: Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich
Oh, Tchaikovsky. I did think of voting The Nutcracker instead of Swan Lake. It is a bit more familiar thanks to having a recording on CD. But on the day it simply did not grab me as strongly.

#23. Suite bergamasque, L75: III. Clair de Lune - Debussy, Claude
I didn't vote for this but I was certainly hoping to hear it. A real time-stopper.

So beautiful. I hope we follow this directly with Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14. If not I may just do so myself.
#ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#50. Schindler's List: "Theme" - Williams, John
Starting on Day 2 of the countdown, and I generally think the mid-portion of each countdown is the most interesting. That stretch from roughly 80-20 is where the magic lies, those pieces that hold something special and might well be a hidden gem.

Anyway, Schindler's List. The violins are very good at conveying the melancholy tone, and we take a break from Williams' usually bombastic horns. But. I am feeling like the violins are a bit too simple and repetitive? They are not going anywhere, and neither do they have the entrancing quality of a good minimalism.

#49. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis - Vaughan Williams, Ralph
We give film scores a lot of grief for ripping off Holst's The Planets. But I like to think this is what David Arnold used as inspiration for the Stargate theme. So rich and green, I could almost believe there is hope for England.

#48. Zadok the Priest, HWV258 - Handel, George Frideric
Generally I'm inclined to attribute the popularity of this piece to lingering monarchism and British co-identity. But it isn't bad.

#47. Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed: I. Spring 0 - II. Spring 1 - Richter, Max
Richter's account of the why of this piece is very much akin to how I felt about the 4 Seasons also, and I attribute this piece as the reason why I can listen to those again. But this has far eclipsed them in my heart, and is what had my vote for this year.

Imagine a vast pool of pure sound and being lowered slowly into it, so that gradually it comes to surround you. It becomes an entire universe of sound. measureless in scope.

#46. Finlandia, Op. 26 - Sibelius, Jean
Tried listening to this during the voting to see if I would want to nominate it. Didn't get it then and don't get it now.

No—actually I see the problem. Wasn't playing it loud enough.

#45. Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Beethoven, Ludwig van
You can't go wrong with Beethoven. If anyone knows how to write a symphony, this is he.

Don't have a lot to say. Just listened to it.

#44. Peer Gynt: Suite No. 1, Op. 46 I. Morgenstemning (Morning Mood) - Grieg, Edvard
Nearly voted this one. After giving it a good long listen I concluded that while I love it, I couldn't quite declare it one of the 'greatest of all time'.

#43. Concierto de Aranjuez: I. Allegro con spirito - Rodrigo, Joaquín
This is the piece that taught me to really respect the guitar as an individual instrument. Sure I had listened to a lot of rock music, but I hadn't really listened before. Because of the Concierto de Aranjuez I want to seek out more classical guitar.

#42. Canon and Gigue in D major - Pachelbel, Johann
Another of those pieces that I could have grown sick of from overplaying, but haven't. If you're going to be a one-hit wonder, better make that one count! (and this one counts)

Perhaps gives an inflated opinion of just how good any random canon might be.

#41. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII. Andante cantabile - Rachmaninov, Sergei
Really thought this would be much higher. Also really feels like we are getting especially short excerpts today.

#40. Gymnopédies: No. 1 - Satie, Erik
Erik Satie. That is all.[1]

#39. The Pearl Fishers: "Au fond du temple saint" (Pearl Fishers Duet) - Bizet, Georges
This used to be right up there. Now it is down here. Either it is fallen from fashion, or those who loved it most are no longer with us, which makes me sad even though I never cared for this duet in itself.

Or perhaps, a happier thought, the audience for classical music in Australia has grown enough that the pearl fisher contingent is become a minority.

#38. Lakmé: "Dôme épais le jasmin" (Flower Duet) - Delibes, Léo
So far as I know Léo Delibes is not who people call to mind when they think of great opera composers. Yet this flower duet at least is incredibly beautiful. I would choose it over any other, I think.

#37. Miserere mei, Deus - Allegri, Gregorio
Can I get away with saying this is heavenly? Too bad, I'm gonna do it. Not so short as some of the others have felt either, we get to wallow in this one.

#36. Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 ‘Organ’: IIb. Maestoso - Saint-Saëns, Camille
Oh NO! Another of my picks. Really thought this was top 5 material.

Did I say the last piece was heavenly? THIS is majesty itself, beauty and triumph rendered into raw musical form.

[1] Actually let's come back to Erik Satie for a moment. The Gymnopédies are wonderfully melancholy, meditative, embodying a still and patient beauty that is hard to overstate. By far his most composition, it is tragic the his work is represented only here and no higher. #ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#62. Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) - Gurrumul | Veltheim, Erkki | Hohnen, Michael
Totally unfamiliar to me. How had I not heard of this before?

#61. Carmen: "L’amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Habañera)- Bizet, Georges
Vampires! /used to make up my own lyrics to this one as a child, so surely that means it is the greatest opera of all time?

#60. Le Carnaval des Animaux (The Carnival of the Animals): XIII. The Swan - Saint-Saëns, Camille
I was going to vote for this one. Nearly the first thing I put on my ballot before eventually, reluctantly, taking it to make room for other things. But that swan, those fish—magnificent! Such a melancholy beauty, it truly takes me outside of myself. If I had voted for this would it have been higher? Did a single vote make a difference in its placement?

#59. Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia - Khachaturian, Aram
This was a favourite of my grandmother's. When she tried to introduce me to it I was young and too impatient to appreciate a slow movement. Now, nearing the age she was back then, I wish I could ask her what drew her to this piece. I find myself swept up in its grand, tranquil motion.

#58. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23: I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito - Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich
Look. This is an all-timer, no question about it.

#57. Requiem in D minor, Op. 48: IV. Pie Jesu - Fauré, Gabriel
So that's why people hold the Fauré Requiem in such high regard.

#56. Goldberg Variations, BWV988: I. - IV. - Bach, Johann Sebastian
I wanted to vote for this. It is a favourite and ever a delight to hear the striking of the keys in their marvellous sequence. But there is too much Bach and I had to choose just one to lay my vote upon, and so Goldberg was not quite it.

Isn't this wonderful? Isn't it a marvel of human achievement? Truly one of the greatest of all time.

#55. Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle): "Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha!" (Ride of the Valkyries) - Wagner, Richard
We've all heard the Valkyries, of course we have. I really would like to listen to the entire cycle someday on account of [redacted] but never yet have made it enough priority to follow through. Someday.

Meanwhile this is big and bold enough to fill any room and take all the oxygen with it. A real experience.

#54. Compassion: I. Sim shalom (Grant Peace) - Westlake, Nigel | Lior
I listened to this piece a couple of weeks ago specifically to see if I wanted to vote for it. While it has a lot of sound that I like, ultimately it just did not cross that threshold for me.

Fantastic sound though. Definitely worth the listen; still gives me shivers.

#53. Adagio in G minor - Albinoni, Tomaso | Giazotto, Remo
Another favourite of my grandmother's. Eventually I came down on the position that while attribution is important, it doesn't take away from the quality of the music itself. Something about roses and odours?

#52. Antarctica: Suite - II. Wooden Ships - Westlake, Nigel
I voted for this! Obviously it should have been much, much higher ;-)
Anyway this is a fantabulous, joyous use of strings. Could Antarctica herself be so full of wonder?

Suddenly sad as I realise the people who are my biological family, and thus nearest to me geographically, know so little of my passions. They don't get to hear about what moves me, what fascinates me. They have made it clear they are not so interested, and they make it difficult to break that ice once frozen over

Despite this the penguin ballet returns a smile to my face. Crystal clear and sparkling beauty, the sway of motion without end in sea and snowed feather, this is a gem, a true gem.

#51. Out of Africa: "Main Theme" - Barry, John
Sweeping. Romantic. It's alright. #ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#74. Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) K492: Overture - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
I know this one! Very famous, very recognisable. No particular feelings about it.

73. The Rite of Spring: Part I. Adoration of The Earth - Stravinsky, Igor
This welling fountain of energy, violent and vibrant life. The impersonal danger of the world being so much bigger and so much MORE than any one of us.

The first appearance of something I voted for and naturally I believe it was robbed. Top 20, surely!

Obviously there will be a few pieces I voted for that won't place at all. But we won't know that until the count is done, so far now this is the shock lowest placing of anything I put my hand up for.

#72. Jurassic Park (Film Series): "Welcome To Jurassic Park" - Williams, John
I've been a bit hard on the film soundtracks that have appeared so far. I think deservedly so. Maybe I should be hard on this one too, but I do find it a bit magical.

#71. An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Beautiful, Blue Danube), Op. 314 - Strauss, Johann II
Of course this is here. THE waltz.

#70. How to Train Your Dragon (Film Series): "This Is Berk" - Powell, John
Used to watch the TV series based on these movies. This is a solid score but I feel like it is here on the strength of the movies rather than as music. Isn't that true for all soundtracks though? Probably, but it simply does not stand out to me.

#69. Doctor Who (Series): "Theme" - Derbyshire, Delia | Grainer, Ron
Well that was cute. I do like it, and it is different. Greatest of all time though? I do always forget Ron Grainer being Australian.

#68. Dawn Mantras - Edwards, Ross
This moment of still beauty. I adore the Dawn Mantras and if they had not slipped my mind may well have voted for them. Hard to imagine what Australian composition could rate more highly than this one.

#67. River: "Ritual" - Barton, William | Tognetti, Richard | Burbrook de Vere, Piers
Oh. Well, obviously this one could rate more highly.

That was fantastic. I want to hear more of this.

#66. The Four Seasons - Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8 RV315 'Summer': III. "Presto (Tempo impetuoso d'estate)" - Vivaldi, Antonio
This is another one of those pieces that got listened-out on when I was younger. But, I am starting to learn how to appreciate the seasons again.

#65. Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26: III. Finale. Allegro energico - Bruch, Max
After reading about how Bruch was ripped off and died in poverty, his other violin concertos unappreciated, I feel a little less comfortable about this one. Really good tho.

#64. St Matthew Passion, BWV244: Part II "Erbarme dich, mein Gott" - Bach, Johann Sebastian
Usually I listen to Bach's works for keyboard or violin. I've been meaning to listen to the entire St Matthew Passion for so long.

I don't know what to say of this. Have to hear the whole thing. I don't feel I could grasp it at any smaller scale.

#63. Madama Butterfly: "Humming Chorus" - Puccini, Giacomo
I thought I would recognise something from this but I don't. Ah, there it is in the second excerpt. That first excerpt, I didn't know there was anything like the humming chorus in there. Surely it isn't representative of the opera as a whole but I admit I am more curious about it now. #ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#87. Howl's Moving Castle: "Jinsei No Merry-Go-Round (The Merry-Go-Round Of Life)" - Hisaishi, Joe
I remember liking this movie a lot when I saw it in the cinerma, but it has been a very long time since then and I don't really remember the music at all. This excerpt was too brief for me to get a feel for it.

#86. Interstellar: "Cornfield Chase" - Zimmer, Hans
I didn't really care for the film, but I am a sucker for some pipe organ.

#85. Four Last Songs: IV. Im Abendrot (In Sunset's Glow) - Strauss, Richard
This is another of those pieces I never felt I 'got' why it is so highly regarded. The solo voice in classical has in general never clicked with me so well as the chorus,

No, I still don't get it. Maybe next time.


#84. O Ecclesia - Hildegard von Bingen
Good stuff. The low tone of the organ in the background is spine-tingling, creating abundant space for the vocals to fill with heavenly sound.

#83. Symphony No. 2 in C minor 'Resurrection': V. Finale - Im Tempo des Scherzos - Mahler, Gustav
I still have not followed through on my resolution, way back during the Classic 100 Symphony in 2009, to get hold of Mahler's symphonies and really listen to them. But o, how I really must do so!

This is magnificent. Hindered by my lack of familiarity, and I suspect by the tendency for these larger works to be played in parts and excerpts rather than their entire majesty.

That movement was a journey, all on its own.

#82. Pirates of the Caribbean (Film Series): The Curse of the Black Pearl “The Medallion Calls” - Badelt, Klaus, Zimmer, Hans
Bold and stirring. Greatest film soundtrack of all time? Surely not

#81. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467 'Elvira Madigan': II. Andante - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Quite lovely, but this falls into the category of pieces I had early access to as a child and have since worn out my appreciation. Would like to hear the entire concerto someday.

It really is very pretty though.

#80. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 'Pathétique': II. Adagio cantabile - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Nearly voted for this one. Having lately bought and listened to a box set of Beethoven's piano music it was fresh on my mind. But if I were going to vote for one of his piano sonatas it would have been the final, No. 32. And that one wasn't listed on the voting slate; as a write-in there is no way it would have made it onto the countdown.

I still wonder if I should have voted it in anyway, on a matter of principle.

#79. Fanfare for the Common Man - Copland, Aaron
Been expecting this one. Didn't this used to be used as the theme for Nine's Wide World of Sports? In spite of that, I find its simplicity beautiful. I would also love to believe in the sincerity of this fanfare. It's for all of us, isn't?

Bask in those horns.

#78. Small Town - Sculthorpe, Peter
I often say that Australian classical music is bone-dry and perhaps this small town is too. But if I stop and listen this time I am sure I can hear the slow pace of life, small against the immensity of the outback, carrying on and on. At least until the war comes along and overwhelms everything for a while. Afterward life returns, richer and more varied, but its essential character carries through.

#77. Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K620: "Der Hölle Rache (Queen of the Night)" - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
One of the most famous arias in the repertoire and very impressive if I imagine trying to make those sounds myself. I don't feel very equipped to judge opera but The Magic Flute is surely one of the more accessible ones. Maybe I only think so because I caught a subtitled broadcast on the telly late one night.

#76. Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor: IV. Adagietto - Mahler, Gustav
I really have to follow through on that Mahler commitment. Show me the entire shape of this! I need to know where that river is carrying us.

#75. Chariots of Fire: "Chariots of Fire (Titles)" - Vangelis
First thought: "Seriously?" But there is something a little magical about it, a small smile that it brings. #ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat

#100. Indiana Jones (Film Series): "Raiders March" - Williams, John
This would never be my favourite, but what a start! Those horns, that march, it's time for action

#99. Scheherazade, Op. 35: III. The Young Prince and the Young Princess - Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai
This is lovely, but I don't think it belongs here. Not doing much for me.

#98. West Side Story: "America" - Bernstein, Leonard
I used to like this a lot more but now I don't really care for it. A couple of American writers putting disdain for Puerto Rico into the mouths of a bunch of Puerto Rican characters. Maybe it's time that I watch it again

#97. Fuck you. Skip
Shameful that people are still exposing children to this

#96. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: I. Allegro ma non tanto - Rachmaninov, Sergei
Genius. Should have been much higher. Top 20 material, I reckon. Just listen to it! That piano and the answering strings reaches something deep inside me.

Exhausting in the best way

#95. Bagatelle in A minor, WoO59 'Für Elise' - Beethoven, Ludwig van
Probably the first piece I fell in love with, and the only one I have learned to play any of. Dear to my heart but is it really one of the "greatest of all time"? Maybe. It's beautiful for sure.

I was listening to this piece for unrelated reasons just a few days ago, on a project exploring Beethoven's piano music.

#94. Danse macabre, Op. 40 - Saint-Saëns, Camille
I considered voting for this one. It is delightfully dancey. If you like the soundtrack to those boy wizard movies, consider Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns instead. I will be off swaying with the violin regardless

#93. I Giorni (The Days) - Einaudi, Ludovico
I don't know this piece. But that is some beautiful solo piano, wow. Chills. A lot of why I listen to these countdowns is to discover new music; this is a fantastic find!

#92. Breakfast at Tiffany's: "Moon River" - Mancini, Henry
I haven't yet seen Breakfast at Tiffany's, which is perhaps why this one leaves me cold. It's just a song. A lovely song, but nothing special to me.

#91. The Hebrides Overture, Op. 26 'Fingal's Cave' - Mendelssohn, Felix
An all-time favourite. Kicking myself for forgetting to vote for it. The way the music swells and rolls as the waves… I could just cast myself into the sea and be carried away forever

#90. Má Vlast: II. Vltava (Die Moldau) - Smetana, Bedřich
Beautiful, full of eddies and strong sweeping currents. A much better performance than the one I am familiar with. I wouldn't vote for it but I respect it

#89. Ave verum corpus, K618 - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
"Small, and perfect, and beautiful". That's how the listener call-in described it, and she's right. What a perfect crystal of music. Hold it in your palm, turn it about on all sides, marvel at the way the light glints and sparkles. I feel refreshed.

#88. Appalachian Spring: Suite VI. As at first - Copland, Aaron
Having long heard people gush about Appalachian Spring, I have struggled to get what the fuss is about.

I think I am beginning to understand—wow! What a bright and beautiful bit of magic. Spring indeed.
#ABCC100GOAT, #Classic100, #ABCClassic100, #ABCClassic100Goat