Even the pose on the artwork for this Karajan classic shows that he means business. From romantic opera arias that capture the intense flush of a first love to tear-jerking love themes, the world of classical music is filled with an endless supply of wonderful romantic music. Take a look at our epic countdown of the top 100 classical music recordings you must own, complete with download links. No, it was because Borodin got sidetracked by his scientific research and teaching duties at a renowned St. Petersburg medical academy. Heitor Villa-Lobos himself helms this superb recording of these legendary Brazilian works. Opera and other classical vocal pieces in the key of love. And this section of the overture, called The March of the Swiss Soldiers, doesn't even make another appearance in the five-hour long opera. Stream songs including “Telstar”, “Because They're Young” and more. Klemperer was among the finest interpreters of Beethoven's music, so you'll be in safe hands here. This week’s on-air highlights – including Christmas Eve, This week’s on-air highlights – including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Play on! Both were Mozart and Beethoven. Fiery stuff here from an on-form Hans Knappertsbusch, expertly directing one of Wagner's most enduring and all-encompassing dramas. Some critics have suggested that this opening represents the sound of Fate knocking at the door. Bach - St Matthew Passion. Facts about Classical Music tell you about the classical period which spans between the baroque and romantic periods. This is real classic! Topics Classical Music, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Vivaldi, Chopin, Beethoven. The ballet tells the tragic story of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers and the war waged between the rival families, the Montagues and the Capulets. John Eliot Gardiner manages to coax out the sinewy intensity of the opening from one of Haydn's most free-form and experimental works. George Szell takes a firm hand with the fourth, and the results are a taut, rewarding experience. These two big-hitting symphonies are effortlessly controlled here, with thrilling results rich in texture. This symphony by Beethoven opens with perhaps the four most famous chords of all time – the famous “da da da duuum”. That's a lofty brief, and one that is completely justified by this grandstanding recording conducted by Thomas Beecham. 1. The US music press popularize the term "folk rock", which has been in print at least since the November 2, 1963, issue of Billboard magazine, in which "Devil's Waitin'" by the Glencoves was said to have a "wide open folk-rock sound." But the music has since become almost a cliché as the soundtrack for car chases and zany antics. An all-star cast including Janet Baker and the legendary Peter Pears combine to enormously affecting effect in this mammoth recording of Bach's Mass in B Minor. Elgar's musical palate extended even further with his second symphony, so it needs a first-rate recording to bring out all the colours. Some of Haydn's best-loved symphonies performed with total ease and composure by a fantastic orchestra and Sir Colin at the height of his powers. Zukerman's breathtaking tone on the violin is ably assisted by Marc Neikrug on this complete cycle of Beethoven's sonatas. It is traditionally sung by a soprano and mezzo-soprano but its rise to fame has resulted in many different interpretations of the song. Two giants of the keyboard are well and truly tamed with uniquely powerful interpretations from Murray Perahia (pictured), all under the watchful baton of Sir Colin Davis. Swallisch's attention to detail here is the perfect compliment to Schumann's dense writing, and he manages to bring out the tiniest details with ease. Trust Sir Charles to come up with the goods. "Concerto No. NPR's From the Top showcases the music, stories, and unique humor of America's best young classical musicians. A triumph of interplay. This is by far the most famous section of the opera, and the duet might be best known as the soundtrack to a very memorable British Airways advert. The Herald Angels Sing. The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe Various Composers. These spirited dances are not only imbued with Grieg's homeland's dark beauty, but they're also played in rip-roaring style by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. From the jittering overture to the huge climax, The Marriage of Figaro is a masterclass in comic opera. The Emperor concerto is given a hearty interpretation in this 1957 recording. Romantic Arias. Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and much more. Stream Tracks and Playlists from Classical Music on your desktop or mobile device. Bolet is an undisputed master of interpretation, and this exhaustive collection of Liszt works is a total treat. Sesame Street also did a pretty epic cover, not to forget Tom and Jerry's homage. Listen to top classical music composers and works. But Dennis Brain makes them all sound like hits - he's just that good. When it comes to the Horn Concertos, everyone tends to flock to the big-hitter, the Rondo from concerto no. In 1750 until 1820, the musical compositions were made during the classical music period. These late-period Beethoven piano sonatas are among his most exploratory, and Solomon is more than capable of bringing out every colour in the score. In the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory you’ll hear Willy Wonka opening the doors to his chocolate factory by playing the music from this overture on a miniature piano. This piece by Bach might not have the catchiest title, but we guarantee you'll know the famous opening. And it's also featured in countless ads. James Ehnes' inspired readings of these modern classics are to be cherished - three fantastic works played by a young violinist with energy and ideas to spare. Glazunov was a crafty master of melody, and it takes a great orchestra to bring out the best of them. The melodies in this opera overture have been used time and time again in films, TV shows, adverts and even pop music. Few singers consider their songs as carefully as Scholl, so it's always a pleasure to get lost in one of his clever interpretations. Transport yourself to a punt on a sleepy canal with his fabulous and extensive set of British Light Music Classics, all under the assured baton of Ronald Corp. You may well recognise this if you're a fan of The Apprentice… The television series chose this section from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet as its theme music. The bohemian idyll of Paris' Latin quarter is beautifully evoked by Puccini's score, but it's the cast that bring it to life on this scintillating recording. Luckily, we've done the hard work and concluded that you can't go far wrong with this LPO double-disc special from 1946. This disc of Beethoven's violin concerto (and one of Mozart's for good measure) is sprightly, clever and impeccably controlled by Schneiderhan, conducting from the violin. Along with the complete Chopin, this is basically an essential piano purchase. Maria Callas lights up La Scala with her radiant performance, but she is perfectly matched by the rest of the cast and, indeed, La Scala's Orchestra and Chorus. However, film lovers might recognise it from Stanley Kubrick’s epic film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), where it's used in the stunning opening sequence. Full of intrigue, fun and atmosphere, there's plenty to explore here. Lehar's The Merry Widow is a firm favourite at Classic FM, but don't take our word for it. One of Strauss' most enduring works is given the Karajan treatment in this epic and rewarding recording. Michael Tilson Thomas proves yet again that he is more than comfortable with the music of his homeland. The Carnival of the Animals is always a joy to hear, but there's a great deal of maturity in this reading of the third symphony that makes it a real stand-out. Discover classical music anniversaries. One of history's greatest composers conducted by one of Britain's greatest composers - what's not to like? This superb recording is full of verve and vigour, as well as some serious retro charm. In order to get the benefits, it’s important to play music that your senior enjoys and connects with. An essential library-starting item. Ravel’s music was actually originally composed as a ballet for the Russian dance Ida Rubinstein, so its rise to 20th-century fame through Torvill and Dean’s ice skating routine isn’t far from what the composer intended! Well, Grieg doesn't get more lively than this. Rubinstein was undoubtedly a master of performance, so it's a real treat to hear him bring life to such staple piece as the Pathetique. What many might not know is that Carmen was a pretty groundbreaking opera in the 19th century. It tells the story of the brutal princess Turandot and her murderous reign. Classical Music on SoundCloud brings you the very best and notable from the worlds greatest Classical and Romantic composers ever!. ... Take a look at our epic list of the best classical music recordings, complete with download links. Tchaikovsky's tragic tale of a selfish anti-hero is brought to life with a superb cast and fantastic support from the workhorses at the Royal Opera House. The essential and definitive 50 most popular pieces of classical music in the world ... ever! Discover the best Classical in Best Sellers. Edvard Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite No. Plenty of major harp concertos are covered by a range of superb performers - fingers at the ready…. Another Thomas Beecham special, this superb recording of Bizet's sultry and addictive Carmen features a top-notch cast. Bizet was seen as quite the rebel for having set his music to such a risqué plot. You really can't argue with Handel's Messiah, but there are so many recordings to choose from. Another epic Mahler symphony, another epic performance. ’ – and what’s the story behind the carol? There's something almost quaint about the feel of these pieces, but Beecham injects real intelligence into his readings with the RPO. Listen live to Classic FM radio online. When it comes to Chopin's piano music, you don't really need much more than this. It actually comes from Puccini's final opera Turandot, which was left unfinished when he died. Tchaikovsky's last symphonies, including the heart-wrenching Pathetique, are given the treatment they deserve by the composer's fellow countrymen. Recordings don't come much more notorious than this. Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite was originally written as incidental music for a production of Ibsen's play Peer Gynt. This impeccable cast recording brings out every ounce of frivolity in Kern's score to Showboat - much underrated these days. There were two important musicians from the classic music period. Each gives a musical expression to a season of the year – listen out for the chattering teeth in Winter, the dramatic storm in summer, and the arrival of the hunt in autumn. There's nothing like broadening your interests…. It reached an international audience when it was used as the theme music for The Lone Ranger films and television and radio shows. Who better than Herbert von Karajan to guide us through the orchestra works of Ravel, one of France's most lush and romantic composers? ... 65. 1 Op. Dvorak's wild and stormy orchestral works are given huge colour and scope by Pesek's assured direction of the RLPO. Listen to free classical music online with unlimited skips! This year’s Classical Countdown omits Beethoven, as a demonstration of what we’d miss if we didn’t have his ever-popular works to enjoy. The vigour of these various Slavonic Dances is captured brilliantly by the boisterous forces of the Czech Philharmonic, and Mackerras matches their energy perfectly. This showcase for the world's favourite counter-tenor is a perfect introduction to his repertoire. This performance has a fine vintage, featuring the great Benjamin Britten holding the baton and the equally great Richter at the keys, delivering all the fun and frolics of one of Mozart's best piano concertos. So it's no surprise that this centrepiece of the ballet is one of the most dramatic pieces of music ever written. Mahler has rarely sounded so big as he does on this epic recording. This ought to do it:Listen to how the interplay between instruments grows in intensity as the piece goes on - and how the performers react to Mozart's encouaragement. Find out which artists, which works and which recordings are essential to your collection! This most famous classical guitar piece includes two gorgeous big-hitters. The legendary string quartet are on top form across this mammoth set effortlessly tackling the likes of Borodin, Mozart, Ravel and Schubert. Find the top 100 most popular items in Amazon Music Best Sellers. It features on the soundtracks for Downton Abbey, Captain Correlli’s Mandolin, A Room with a View, and the list goes on. Top songs for every generation. This tune was made famous when it was used by Torvill and Dean for their gold-medal-winning 1984 Olympic performance. Brendel is a natural choice for the expressive and technical requirements of one of Bach's best-loved keyboard works. ), Strauss and the great conductor make a fine pair - the results on this superb collection are astonishing. Steven Isserlis wrings out all the religiosity he can in this meditative piece, superbly captured and supported by the LSO. Involving and immersive stuff. This Richard Hickox special is more than capable of doing that, and more. This piece was never published during Beethoven’s lifetime and it wasn't even discovered until forty years after his death. Greg Lake The music has been used in Charlie's Angels – Full Throttle, Alien, Ace Ventura and There's Something About Mary, as well as in countless TV programmes and adverts. The ‘Flower Duet’ is from Léo Delibes’ opera Lakmé and the … Clifford Curzon blends perfectly with the Weiner Oktett here, lending just the right amount of impish fun and nagging beauty to Schubert's Trout. It comes from his opera Gianni Schicchi, a one-act opera all about the lengths one family will go to to make sure they inherit money from an elderly relative. Mahler's fifth is among his more popular and approachable works, but it still takes phenomenal orchestra and conductor to make it as accessible as it sounds here. Filmed by Fly on the Wall, this breathtaking performance comes from Alina Ibragimova and Cédric Tiberghien. In the end, you may as well stick with the definitive. Its contemporary incarnation encompasses everything from opera and the symphony orchestra to chamber ensembles, solo works, choral music, songs, film music, and the avant-garde. The great Dennis Brain presides over these horn works, with typically attentive and able assistance from Herbert von Karajan. Named after a Schubert song, this huge collection of Fischer-Dieskau's greatest recordings spans from the 70s and throughout his career. (This is a classic recording with Jaqueline Du Pre … Few people have more recognisable overtures to their name than Rossini, and here they're given glittering renditions on this fun disc from Giulini and the Philharmonia. 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,335. It’s one of two ‘Passion’ oratorios that have survived … Nor that the producers of The Apprentice wanted some of that drama for their theme music. Anon More than anything it highlights what a wonderful orchestral writer Wagner could be. The Blue Danube is the commonly used name for Johann Strauss II's waltz By the Beautiful Blue Danube. It also featured prominently in the film Amadeus about the composer himself. These 1970s recordings have become legendary for the superb tone Chung coaxes out of her instrument, as well as the deep interplay between her and the RPO. This is the symphony that changed everything, so why not enjoy it in the best possible recording? What more could any discerning piano fan ask for? We’ve got something for every generation, starting with the 1930s for those who are 90 years old and going all the way to the songs 60 year olds will remember from their youth. Beethoven's biggest symphony gets the epic treatment it deserves from the Bayreuth Festival's finest, all under the watchful baton of Wilhelm Furtwangler. Delibes – ‘Flower Duet’ from Lakmé. 46: Morning Mood The most iconic pieces of classical music you definitely have to know. Grab a translation, sit down and get lost in it. Classical music's top instrumentalists. What is it? Discover classical music and find out more about the best classical composers, musicians and their works. This is scintillating stuff. 9am - 12pm, I Believe In Father Christmas All four of the concertos have become world famous. And it’s fame has far outstripped that of the opera. This exhaustive set of Chopin classics is deftly handled by the nimble genius of Pollini (pictured). Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet (London Symphony Orchestra/Andre Previn) Elizabeth Schwarzkopf's fingerprints are all over this great recording, but she still lets Strauss' songs come to the fore. 1 in E major, Op. 4. But when it came to Mozart's darkest opera, no-one handles it better than the Philharmonia and Giulini. This riotous performance of one of the most famous operas of all time (all the hits are present and correct) is exhilarating stuff. De Peyer's sensitive playing and Barenboim's accommodating accompaniment make these two woodwind gems completely indispensable. A real testament to the quality of analogue sound. This exotic-sounding piece is given all the necessary heft and intrigue by the ever-listenable Gergiev.