In a remarkable showcase of musical talent, the Classic 100: Piano countdown has revealed its latest rankings, highlighting the enduring popularity of classical compositions alongside modern works. This year’s countdown features a diverse selection of pieces, from J.S. Bach’s timeless “Sheep May Safely Graze” to the contemporary “Brightness in the Hills” by Nat Bartsch.
The countdown honors not just specific works, but the visionary composers whose creativity, rule-breaking and single-mindedness have created entirely new palettes for expression across centuries. Beethoven and Chopin emerged as joint leaders, each securing nine entries in the top 100, demonstrating their lasting impact on both audiences and musicians alike.
Historic Works and Modern Favorites
J.S. Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze,” originating from his cantata BWV 208, is the oldest confirmed work on this year’s list. Its inclusion, particularly on such a grand prize, highlights just how much classical music continues to cherish and honor Bach’s transcendent legacy. Bartsch’s “Brightness in the Hills,” scores the evolution of piano composition since its 2021 release. In fact, as we write this it has climbed back up to 79th place on the charts.
The countdown is a sign of how presentation formats have changed to accommodate audience interest, er, disinterest over the years. The “Moonlight” Sonata, which back in 2012 was #1 in the first original Piano heavy Piano countdown, has been dethroned to #2. This year, Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Concerto was named the virtuosic standard-bearer as the overall favorite composition. This win is indicative of a more appreciable shift in audience sentiment and appreciation for varied compositions.
The Impact of Film and Television
One particularly fascinating trend in this year’s countdown is the notable number of works adapted from or related to visual media. 16 of these 100 scores are from films, two from television series and one from a video game. This pattern is a testament to the increasing sway of screen adaptations over our listening habits.
Perhaps most strikingly, Jane Austen’s literary work scored a double with two titles in the top 100. But both film and TV versions of adapted “Pride and Prejudice” had audiences swooning, proving that a score can communicate the most nuanced emotions. Carl Davis’s 1995 television score placed at number 28, while Dario Marianelli’s 2005 film adaptation was ranked at number 47.
Moreover, C418’s music from the beloved game Minecraft adds a distinct flavor to the blending of gaming and classical. This score’s debut in the top 100 suggests an exciting new trend. We’re living in an exciting time in which people are finally starting to recognize video game music as a seriously impressive artistic accomplishment.
Composers and Their Contributions
The Classic 100 countdown gives us a chance to celebrate not only the individual masterworks on our playlists, but the genius composers who created them. Alongside Beethoven and Chopin, another great is a dark horse with six lives left in the final rankings – it’s Bach. Rachmaninov is prominent as well, with five. His selections are a testament to the eclectic nature of musical genres and time periods represented this year.
Beethoven and Chopin’s share of the top-voted spot reflects their tremendous impact on piano music. All three composers’ work continue to be revolutionary influences on new generations of listeners and practitioners.
