Hall of Fame: the top 80

View the nation's Top 80 classical works from the Classic FM Hall of Fame Top 300, including that all important No. 1. Then download and buy your favourites from our list of recommended classical recordings...


1 (1) Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending


Hear it on: Nicola Benedetti with Andrew Litton and the London Philharmonic Orchestra   - Vaughan Williams & Taverner

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2 (3) Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2


Hear it on: Lang Lang with Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre and Valery Gergiev - Rachmaninov

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3 (10) Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Hear it on: André Previn & London Symphony Orchestra - Elgar: Enigma Variations & Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

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4 (5) Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor'


Hear it on: Hélène Grimaud, Staatskapelle Dresden & Vladimir Jurowski - Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 & Piano Sonata No. 28

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5 (8) Beethoven:Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral'


Hear it on: Bernard Haitink & London Symphony Orchestra - LSO Live Beethoven: Symphonies No. 6 & 2

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6 (4) Mozart: Clarinet Concerto

Hear it on: David Shifrin, Gerard Schwarz & Mostly Mozart Orchestra - Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A - Clarinet Quintet in A

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7 (2) Elgar: Cello Concerto


Hear it on: Jacqueline Du Pre, London Symphony Orchestra & Sir John Barbirolli - Elgar: Cello Concerto & Sea Pictures

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8 (7) Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1

Hear it on: Janine Jansen, Leipzig Gewandhaus-Orchester & Riccardo Chailly - Mendelssohn & Bruch: Violin Concertos (Bonus Track Version)

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9 (6) Elgar: Enigma Variations

Hear it on: London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Colin Davis - Elgar: Enigma Variations, Introduction & Allegro

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10 (9) Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 'Choral'

Hear it on: Bernard Haitink & London Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 - "Choral" 

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11 (13) Pachelbel: Canon in D

Hear it on: Harmonie Universelle - Pachelbel: Canon & Gigue

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12 (15) Barber: Adagio for Strings

Hear it on: Leonard Bernstein & New York Philharmonic - Barber's Adagio and other Romantic Favorites for Strings

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13 (12) Jenkins: The Armed Man 'A Mass for Peace'

Hear it on: National Youth Choir of Great Britain - The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace)

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14 (46) Vivaldi: Four Seasons


Hear it on: Nigel Kennedy - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

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15 (37) Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini

Hear it on: Lang Lang - Rachmaninov, with Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre and Valery Gergiev

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16 (31) Holst: The Planets

Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle - Holst: The Planets

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17 (11)  Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor

Hear it on: Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra & Van Cliburn - Grieg: Peer Gynt; Piano Concerto

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18 (25)  Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture

Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker & Claudio Abbado - Tchaikovsky: "1812" Overture; Solennelle

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19 (20) Mozart: Requiem

Hear it on: London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Colin Davis - Mozart: Requiem (LSO Live)

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20 (23) Handel: Messiah


Hear it on: Anne Sofie von Otter, English Concert, The English Concert Choir & Trevor Pinnock - Handel: Messiah

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21 (14) Sibelius: Finlandia

Hear it on: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra & Neeme Jarvi - Sibelius: Finlandia, Luonnotar, Karelia Suite

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22 (26) Ungar: The Ashokan Farewell

Hear it on: The Ashokan Farewell: Captain JR Perkins & The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marine

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23 (32) Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3 in C minor ‘Organ’

Hear it on: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, Gaston Litaize & Orchestre de Paris - Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3, "Organ"

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24 (21) Allegri: Miserere

Hear it on: Harry Christophers & The Sixteen - Allegri - Miserere & Palestrina - Missa Papae Marcelli

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25 (22)  Rodrigo: Concerto de Aranjuez

Hear it on: Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra & John Williams - Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, Villa-Lobos: Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra

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26 (40) Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana

Hear it on: Julia Varady, Luciano Pavarotti, Piero Cappuccilli & Terry Edwards - Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana

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27 (16) Beethoven: Symphony No.7 in A

Hear it on: Carlos Kleiber & Wiener Philharmoniker - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7

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28 (19)  Dvorak: Symphony No.9 in E minor ‘New World’

Hear it on: Swedish Chamber Orchestra & Thomas Dausgaard - Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 6 and 9

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29 (35) Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor ‘Moonlight’


Hear it on: Daniel Barenboim - Beethoven: "Moonlight", "Appassionata" & "Pathétique" Sonatas

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30 (17) Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2 in E minor


Hear it on: André Previn & London Symphony Orchestra - Great Recordings of the Century - Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2

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31 (33)  Bizet: The Pearl Fishers – Duet

Hear it on: Andrea Bocelli - Aria: The Opera Album

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32 (34) Bach: Double Violin Concerto in D minor

Hear it on: Hilary Hahn, Jeffrey Kahane & Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra - J.S. Bach: Violin Concertos

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33 (70) Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor

Hear it on: Simon Preston - Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565

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34 (18) Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Hear it on: Gustavo Dudamel & Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela - Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7

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35 (28) Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor


Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado, Martha Argerich & Nicolas Economou - Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Nutcracker Suite

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36 (30) Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor

Hear it on: Academy of St. Martin in the Fields & Nicola Benedetti - Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto

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37 (38) Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

Hear it on: Jeff Tyzik, Jon Nakamatsu & Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra - Gershwin: Piano Concerto In F, Rhapsody In Blue, Cuban Overture

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38 (41) Fauré: Requiem


Hear it on: Harry Christophers, Elin Manahan Thomas, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields & The Sixteen - Fauré: Requiem

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39 (24) Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No.2 in F


Hear it on: Dimitry Shostakovich, Jr., I Musici De Montreal & Maxim Shostakovich - Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 - Symphony for Strings

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40 (44) Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade


Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan & Michel Schwalbé - Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

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41  (27)  Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor

Hear it on: Riccardo Chailly & Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks - Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3

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42 (43) Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake


Hear it on: Charles Dutoit & L'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

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43  (93)  Grieg Peer Gynt Suite No.1


Hear it on: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2 - In Autumn - Symphonic Dances

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44 (66)  Bach: 6 Brandenburg Concertos


Hear it on: European Brandenburg Ensemble & Trevor Pinnock - Bach: Six Concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg

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45  (36) Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D


Hear it on: Carlo Maria Giulini, Itzhak Perlman & Philharmonia Orchestra - Great Recordings of the Century - Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61  

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46 (55) Shore: Lord of the Rings

Hear it on: Howard Shore - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings

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47 (64) Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture ‘Fingal's Cave’

Hear it on: Bernard Haitink & London Philharmonic Orchestra- Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos.3 & 4 - Hebrides Overture

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48 (48) Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor


Hear it on: Gustavo Dudamel & Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela - Mahler: Symphony No. 5

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49 (39) Mozart: Piano Concerto No.21 in C ‘Elvira Madigan’

Hear it on: Daniel Barenboim & English Chamber Orchestra - Mozart: Piano Concerto Nos. 21 & 27

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50 (83) Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro


Hear it on: Collegium Vocale Gent, Concerto Koln & René Jacobs - Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro

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51 (80) Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus


Hear it on: Barry Wordsworth, Bryn Terfel & London Symphony Orchestra - Simple Gifts

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52 (71)  Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet


Hear it on: Kirov Orchestra & Valery Gergiev - Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet

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53 (68) Mozart: The Magic Flute


Hear it on: Christa Ludwig, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Gundula Janowitz, Nicolai Gedda, Otto Klemperer & Philharmonia Orchestra - Great Recordings of the Century - Mozart: Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute)

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54 (53) Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine

Hear it on: English Voices, London Festival Orchestra & Ross Pople - Fauré: Requiem; Cantique de Jean Racine; Messe basse

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55 (63) Handel: Solomon – Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Hear it on: Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin, Daniel Reuss & Sarah Connolly - Handel: Solomon

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56 (77) Verdi: Nabucco


Hear it on: Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra & Riccardo Muti - Verdi: Nabucco

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57 (107) Williams: Schindler's List

Hear it on: John Williams - Greatest Hits 1969-1999

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58 (104) Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik


Hear it on: James Levine, Walter Singer & Wiener Philharmoniker - Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

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59 (57) Albinoni: Adagio in G minor

Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan & Michel Schwalbé - Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagioni; Albinoni: Adagio; Corelli: Christmas Concerto

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60 (29) Smetana: Ma Vlast – Vltava

Hear it on: London Symphony Orchestra & Sir Colin Davis - LSO Live - Smetana: Má vlast

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61 (95) Puccini: La Bohème

Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert Von Karajan, Luciano Pavarotti & Mirella Freni - Puccini: La Bohème (2 CDs)

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62 (60) Morricone: The Mission – Gabriel's Oboe

Hear it on: Ennio Morricone - The Mission (Original Soundtrack from the Film)

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63 (109) Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite

Hear it on: Orchestra Of The Kirov Opera St. Petersburg, Valery Borisov & Valery Gergiev - Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker

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64 (51) Debussy: Suite Bergamasque – Clair de Lune

Hear it on: Jean-Yves Thibaudet - Atonement (Music from the Motion Picture)

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65 (69) Einaudi: Le Onde

Hear it on: Ludovico Einaudi - Le Onde

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66 (56) Widor: Organ Symphony No. 5 – Toccata


Hear it on: Simon Preston Vierne: Carillon de Westminster - Widor: Symphony No. 5

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67 (45) Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance 4 in G


Hear it on: London Philharmonic Orchestra & Vernon Handley - Elgar: Pomp & Circumstance Marches 1-5 & Sea Pictures

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68 (62) Shostakovich: The Gadfly – Romance

Hear it on: Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin - Shostakovich: Hamlet & the Gadfly

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69 (92) Puccini: Madame Butterfly


Hear it on: Christa Ludwig, Herbert Von Karajan, Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni & Wiener Philharmoniker - Puccini: Madama Butterfly

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70 (50) Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat ‘Eroica’

Hear it on: Jukka-Pekka Saraste & Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Erioica"

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71 (74) Verdi: Requiem

Hear it on: Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Marilyn Horne, Martti Talvela, Sir Georg Solti & Wiener Philharmoniker - Verdi: Requiem

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72 (97) Orff: Carmina Burana


Hear it on: Berliner Philharmoniker & Sir Simon Rattle - Orff: Carmina Burana

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73 (58) Sibelius: Karelia Suite

Hear it on: Sir Colin Davis - Karelia Suite, Tapiola, Nightride and Sunset

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74 (86) Vaughan Williams: 5 Variants of Dives and Lazarus

Hear it on: Academy of St. Martin in the Fields & Sir Neville Marriner - Vaughan Williams: Tallia Fantasia; Fantasia on Greensleeves; The Lark Ascending etc.

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75 (188) Bach: Cello Suites

Hear it on: Steven Isserlis - Bach J S: Cello Suites

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76 (101) Vaughan Williams: English Folksongs Suite


Hear it on: Barry Wordsworth, Sir Adrian Boult & Sir Neville Marriner - Vaughan Williams: Orchestral Works

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77 (47) Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor ‘Pathétique’

Hear it on: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.6 'Pathetique'

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78 (114) Zimmer: Gladiator soundtrack

Hear it on: Hans Zimmer - Gladiator (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)

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79 (228) Delibes: Lakmé

Hear it on: All Angels - All Angels

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80 (65) Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor


Hear it on: Boris Berezovsky, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris & John Nelson - Chopin: Concertos pour Piano Nos. 1 & 2

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How to Listen