My Top 10 Classical Pieces of Music I Can't Live Without...

Every year ABC Classic asks the public to vote for their favourites in a particular category to form the Top 100.  This year the theme is "Feel Good".  In thinking about this I decided to have a look back at my choices in the 2021 countdown  -"The Music You Can't Live Without".

The music I voted for has formed the basis of my classical playlist, although the playlist has been mightily expanded since then - currently over 55 hours worth.

So with out further ado, let my introduce you to what is still my top 10...

1.  Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5 (The Emperor Concerto)

Beethoven - 5th Piano Concerto 'Emperor' (Zimmerman, Bernstein, Wiener Philharmoniker)

What can I say?  It makes me laugh, it makes me cry.  It is lyrical and dramatic, yet simple and poetic.  The first movement has it all - an overview of all the themes to come, and a beautiful interplay between the pianist and orchestra.  The second movement is pensive, quiet, and thoughtful.  The third movement just makes me want to sing and dance.

And this piece was voted number 1 in "The Music You Can't Live Without" Top 100.

2. Joseph Tawadros - Concerto for Oud and Orchestra

Concerto for Oud and Orchestra’ (3 Movements) Composed Joseph Tawadros. Performed by Joseph Tawadros and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Incredible!!  Watching Maestro Benjamin Northey just trying to keep the orchestra in time with Joseph Tawadros on the oud is amazing.

3. Johan Johansson - Arrival of the Birds

Scene from The Crimson Wing, directed by Leander Ward and Matthew Aeberhard. Original music by The Cinematic Orchestra.

So beautifully atmospheric.

4. Joe Hisaishi - One Summer's Day (Spirited Away)

Official music video by Joe Hisaishi

This was in a close race with my other favourite Joe Hisaishi song - MerryGoRound from Howl's Moving Castle.  In this video you get to see the master at work - sublime!

5. Max Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1

Max Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, (Hilary Hahn - violin)

Hilary Hahn manages to capture the very essence of Max Bruch's violin concerto with such sensitive playing - a beautiful example of a very popular violin concerto from the Romantic period.

6.  Ravi Shankar - Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra

Performed by Ravi Shankar (sitar) and the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn, with Terence Emery (bongos).

The music I grew up with - one of my Dad's favourite records, which he loves to tell me I scratched by rubbing it on the floor as a baby.  I redeemed myself as a teenager when it was finally rereleased on CD.

7.  Ross Edwards - Arafura Dances - Concerto for Guitar

Guitar Concerto, "Arafura Dance": III. Second Maninya

Very hard to find a complete recording on YouTube, but this is link to the third movement.  So beautiful.  Ross Edwards is one of the quintessential Australian composers that has such a unique sound and I live how he captures the feel of the Australian bush.

8.  Peggy Glanville Hicks - Etruscan Concerto

Peggy Glanville-Hicks (1912-1990) : "Etruscan Concerto" for piano and chamber orchestra (1954)

Another Australian composer, although she spent a long time living overseas.  This is such a joyful piece, with quiet pensive moments.

9.  Nigel Westlake - If I Had Words (Babe)

If I Had Words - Composed and conducted by Nigel Westlake with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Oh that pig - what's not to love?!  This is the orchestral finale based on Saint-Saens 'Organ' Symphony and just makes my heart sing.

10.  Michael Nyman - The Heart Asks Pleasure First

Michael Nyman - The Heart Asks Pleasure First (The Piano Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Just so beautiful,,,

I hope you enjoyed this wander through my top 10, and that you find something you love too.