Classic 100 Countdowns (ABC)

Since 2001, ABC Classic FM has organised a number of Classic 100 Countdown surveys.^[1] The results of each survey are decided by votes cast by the listeners of ABC Classic FM. Several months after the voting, the works are played in reverse order of popularity—usually over an intense seven to ten days of programming.

The countdown culminates in the broadcast of a live concert featuring the most popular pieces, and finishing with the number one listener choice. A feature of the countdown is that the top 100 pieces are kept secret until announced (including during the final concert).

The top five in each of the countdowns are as follows:

Year	Countdown	Top 5
2001	Classic 100 Original	Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A, K. 622 Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 Choral Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 73 Emperor Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
2004	Classic 100 Piano	Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27/2 Moonlight Bach, J.S.: Goldberg Variations Debussy: Clair de Lune from Suite bergamasque Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1 Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 Pathétique
2005/6	Classic 100 Opera	Bizet: "Au fond du temple saint" ("In the depths of the temple") from The Pearl Fishers Verdi: "Va, pensiero" (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) from Nabucco Delibes: "Sous le dôme épais" (Flower Duet) from Lakmé Mozart: "Soave sia il vento" (Act 1 trio) from Così fan tutte, K. 588 Purcell: "Thy hand, Belinda ... When I am laid in earth" (Dido's Lament) from Dido and Aeneas
2006	Classic 100 Mozart	Clarinet Concerto in A, K. 622 – Adagio Ave verum corpus, K. 618 Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K. 467 – Andante "Soave sia il vento" (Act 1 trio) from Così fan tutte, K. 588 Requiem, K. 626 Lacrimosa
2007	Classic 100 Concerto	Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 73 Emperor Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61 Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
2008	Classic 100 Chamber	Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major, D667 Trout Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D956 Schubert: Nocturne in E-flat major for piano trio, D897 Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 Archduke Schubert: String Quartet in D minor, D810 Death and the Maiden
2009	Classic 100 Symphony	Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 New World Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Choral Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastoral Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 Organ Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
2010	Classic 100—Ten Years On	Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor Concerto Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastoral Mozart: Clarinet Concerto Handel: Messiah, HWV 56
2011	Classic 100 Twentieth Century	Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor Holst: The Planets Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
2012	Classic 100 Music of France	Bizet: Carmen Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 Fauré: Requiem Satie: Gymnopédies Bizet: Au fond du temple saint
2013	Classic 100 Music in the Movies	Morricone: The Mission Williams: Star Wars Shore: The Lord of the Rings Vangelis: Chariots of Fire Jarre: Doctor Zhivago
2014	Classic 100 Baroque and Before	Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Op. 8 Allegri: Miserere Handel: Water Music Bach, J.S.: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244
2015	Classic 100 Swoon	Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending Mozart: Clarinet Concerto Barber: Adagio for Strings Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel Allegri: Miserere
2016	Classic 100 Voice	Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Bizet: The Pearlfishers (Duet: Au fond du temple saint) Handel: Messiah (Hallelujah) Faure: Requiem, Op. 48 Allegri: Miserere