Your Hundred Best Tunes: The Nation's Favourite Classical Music

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 7 available)

Annotation

6-CD set

Annotation last modified on 2025-06-17 19:51 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶CD: Uplifting Classics
2▶CD: Relaxing Classics
3▼CD: Vocal Classics
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Au fond du temple saint (Temple Duet) (The Pearl Fishers)
recording engineer:
Lewis Layton (engineer)
producer:
Richard Mohr (producer)
baritone vocals [Zurga]:
Robert Merrill (American operatic baritone) (on 1951-01-03)
tenor vocals [Nadir]:
Jussi Björling (tenor) (on 1951-01-03)
orchestra:
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra (on 1951-01-03)
conductor:
Renato Cellini (conductor) (on 1951-01-03)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1951)
recorded at:
RCA Victor Studios (Midtown New York (A,B,C,D,E,F)) in New York, New York, United States (on 1951-01-03)
recording of:
Les Pêcheurs de perles : Acte I. No. 2 Duo « Au fond du temple saint » (Zurga, Nadir) (on 1951-01-03)
composer:
Georges Bizet (French composer) (from 1863-04 until 1863-08)
librettist:
Michel Carré (librettist) and Eugène Cormon
part of:
Les Pêcheurs de perles : Acte I
Georges Bizet4:39
2Song to the Moon (Rusalka)
soprano vocals:
Lesley Garrett (soprano) and Lucia Popp (soprano)
soprano vocals [Rusalka]:
Lucia Popp (soprano)
orchestra:
Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra (The Munich Radio Orchestra) and Philharmonia Orchestra (London orchestra, known as New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1964–1976)
conductor:
Andrew Greenwood (conductor) and Stefan Soltész (conductor)
recording of:
Rusalka, op. 114, B. 203: 1. jednání. “Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém” (Rusalka) (Rusalka, op. 114, B. 203: Act 1. "Song to the Moon", Song to the Moon)
composer:
Antonín Dvořák (composer) (from 1900-04-21 until 1900-11-27)
part of:
Rusalka, op. 114, B. 203: 1. jednání
Antonín Dvořák36:00
3Dôme épais (Flower Duet) (Lakmé)
mezzo-soprano vocals:
Danielle Millet (mezzo-soprano) (from 1970-09-17 until 1970-12-21)
soprano vocals:
Mady Mesplé (soprano) (from 1970-09-17 until 1970-12-21)
orchestra:
Orchestre du Théâtre National de l’Opéra‐Comique (from 1970-09-17 until 1970-12-21)
conductor:
Alain Lombard (conductor) (from 1970-09-17 until 1970-12-21)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI France (in 1971)
edit of:
Lakmé : Acte I. Duettino « Viens, Mallika… » (Lakmé, Mallika) by Mady Mesplé (soprano), Danielle Millet (mezzo-soprano), Orchestre du Théâtre National de l’Opéra‐Comique, Alain Lombard (conductor)
partial recording of:
Lakmé : Acte I. No. 2 Duetto « Viens, Mallika, les lianes en fleurs » … « Dôme épais le jasmin » (Lakmé, Mallika) (from 1970-09-17 until 1970-12-21)
composer:
Léo Delibes (French composer)
librettist:
Philippe Gille and Edmond Gondinet
publisher:
Jenkinsongs Ltd.
part of:
Lakmé : Acte I
Léo Delibes3:32
4La Fleur que tu m'avais jetée (Flower Song) (Carmen)
producer:
Michel Glotz
mezzo-soprano vocals [Carmen]:
Maria Callas (soprano) (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
tenor vocals [Don José]:
Nicolai Gedda (tenor) (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
orchestra:
Orchestre du Théâtre National de l’Opéra de Paris (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
conductor:
Georges Prêtre (French conductor) (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
balance engineer:
Paul Vavasseur (engineer) (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1964)
recorded at:
Salle Wagram in Paris, Île-de-France, France (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
recording of:
Carmen : Acte II. No. 17 Duo : « La Fleur que tu m’avais jetée » (Carmen, Don José) (Flower Song) (from 1964-07-06 until 1964-07-20)
composer:
Georges Bizet (French composer) (in 1875)
librettist:
Ludovic Halévy (French librettist) (in 1875) and Henri Meilhac (in 1875)
part of:
Carmen : Acte II
Georges Bizet3:53
5Che farò senza Euridice ? (Orpheus and Eurydice)
harpsichord:
Leslie Pearson (pianist, harpsichordist, organist, composer and arranger)
mezzo-soprano vocals [Orfeo]:
Agnes Baltsa (mezzo-soprano)
orchestra:
Philharmonia Orchestra (London orchestra, known as New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1964–1976)
conductor:
Riccardo Muti (conductor)
recording of:
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30: Atto III. Aria “Che farò senza Euridice?” (Orfeo)
composer:
Christoph Willibald Gluck (composer)
librettist:
Ranieri de’ Calzabigi
part of:
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30: Atto III (Italian version)
Christoph Willibald Gluck5:30
6Casta Diva (Norma)
producer:
Walter Jellinek (British classical producer) and Walter Legge (British classical producer)
editor:
Jennifer Howells
choir vocals:
Coro del Teatro alla Scala di Milano (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
soprano vocals [Norma]:
Maria Callas (soprano) (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
orchestra:
Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano (Orchestra of La Scala, Milan) (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
conductor:
Tullio Serafin (conductor) (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
chorus master:
Norberto Mola (chorus master) (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
balance engineer:
Robert Gooch (British classical sound engineer, active from late 1950's)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1961)
recorded at:
Teatro alla Scala in Milano (Milan), Milano, Lombardia, Italy (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
recording of:
Norma: Atto I, scena 1. Scena e cavatina “Casta diva, che inargenti” (Norma, coro) (from 1960-09-05 until 1960-09-12)
composer:
Vincenzo Bellini (Sicilian opera composer) (until 1831)
librettist:
Felice Romani (Librettiste, écrivain, poète, traducteur) (until 1831)
part of:
Norma: Atto I
Vincenzo Bellini5:36
7Che gelida manina (La Bohème)
engineer:
Simon Rhodes (senior recording engineer at Abbey Road Studios)
producer:
David Groves (classical music producer at EMI)
editor:
Bob Whitney (engineer)
tenor vocals [Rodolfo]:
Roberto Alagna (tenor) (from 1995-01 until 1995-04)
orchestra:
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO; The Philharmonic Promenade Orchestra) (from 1995-01 until 1995-04)
conductor:
Richard Armstrong (conductor) (from 1995-01 until 1995-04)
recorded at:
Abbey Road Studios: Studio 1 in St John's Wood, Westminster, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (from 1995-01 until 1995-04)
recording of:
La bohème: Atto I, no. 6. “Che gelida manina!” (Rodolfo) (from 1995-01 until 1995-04)
composer:
Giacomo Puccini (Italian composer) (in 1896)
librettist:
Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
part of:
La bohème: Atto I. In soffitta (La bohème: Act I, Puccini)
Giacomo Puccini4:53
8O mio babbino caro (Gianni Schicchi)
engineer:
Simon Rhodes (senior recording engineer at Abbey Road Studios) (from 1997-08-12 until 1997-08-15)
producer:
David Groves (classical music producer at EMI)
editor:
Caroline Haigh, Simon Kiln and Jørn Pedersen
soprano vocals:
Angela Gheorghiu (Romanian soprano) (in 1999)
soprano vocals [Lauretta]:
Angela Gheorghiu (Romanian soprano) (from 1997-08-12 until 1997-08-15)
vocals:
Angela Gheorghiu (Romanian soprano)
orchestra:
London Symphony Orchestra (from 1997-08-12 until 1997-08-15, in 1999)
conductor:
Antonio Pappano (conductor and pianist) (from 1997-08-12 until 1997-08-15, in 1999)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1999) and Parlophone Records Ltd. (not for release label use! a Warner Music Group company) (in 1999)
recorded at:
AIR Studios (Lyndhurst Hall 1991–present) in Hampstead, Camden (London Borough of Camden), London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (from 1997-08-12 until 1997-08-15)
recording of:
Gianni Schicchi: “O mio babbino caro” (Lauretta) (from 1997-08-12 until 1997-08-15)
composer:
Giacomo Puccini (Italian composer)
librettist:
Giovacchino Forzano
publisher:
Casa Ricordi BMG S.p.A. and G. Ricordi & Co. (London) Ltd. (UK division)
part of:
Gianni Schicchi
Giacomo Puccini2:09
9Baïlèro (Chants d'Auvergne)
soprano vocals:
Victoria de los Ángeles (Spanish soprano)
orchestra:
Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux (Lamoureux Orchestra)
conductor:
Jean‐Pierre Jacquillat (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1973)
recording of:
Chants d'Auvergne: Première Série: No. 2. Baïlèro
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
Joseph Canteloube
part of:
Chants d'Auvergne: Première Série
[traditional]34:53
10Vogliatemi bene (Love Duet) (Madame Butterfly)
choir vocals:
Coro del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
soprano vocals [Butterfly]:
Renata Scotto (operatic soprano) (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
tenor vocals [Pinkerton]:
Carlo Bergonzi (tenor) (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
orchestra:
Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
conductor:
John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist) (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
recorded at:
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma in Roma (Rome), Roma, Lazio, Italy (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
compilation of:
Madama Butterfly: Atto I. “Vieni, vieni… Via dall’anima in pena” (Butterfly, Pinkerton) by Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Sir John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist) and Madama Butterfly: Atto I. “Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino” (Butterfly, Pinkerton) by Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Sir John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist)
recording of:
Madama Butterfly: Atto I. “Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino” … “Un pò'di vero c'è” … “Oh quanti occhi fisi” (Butterfly, Pinkerton) (Love Duet) (from 1966-08-16 until 1966-08-27)
composer:
Giacomo Puccini (Italian composer)
librettist:
Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
publisher:
Casa Ricordi BMG S.p.A.
part of:
Madama Butterfly: Atto I (Madame Butterfly: Act I)
Giacomo Puccini7:56
11Va, pensiero (Chorus of Hebrew Slaves) (Nabucco)
producer:
John Fraser (UK producer)
choir vocals:
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
orchestra:
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
conductor:
Bernard Haitink (conductor)
chorus master:
Robin Stapleton (conductor)
balance engineer:
Michael Sheady (engineer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1989)
recorded at:
Abbey Road Studios in St John's Wood, Westminster, London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom
recording of:
Nabucco: Parte III, scena 2. Coro “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” (Coro) (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves)
composer:
Giuseppe Verdi (Italian opera composer) (in 1841)
librettist:
Temistocle Solera
part of:
Nabucco: Parte III. La profezia
Giuseppe Verdi5:30
12Vilia (The Merry Widow)
choir vocals:
Philharmonia Chorus (London choir aka New Philharmonia Chorus from 1964–1977)
soprano vocals:
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (German-born Austrian/British soprano)
orchestra:
Philharmonia Orchestra (London orchestra, known as New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1964–1976)
conductor:
Lovro von Matačić (conductor)
recording of:
Die lustige Witwe: Akt II. N°7. Introduktion, Tanz und Vilja-Lied: “Ich bitte, hier jetzt zu verweilen” … “Nun laßt uns aber wie daheim” … “Es lebt’ eine Vilja” (Hanna, Chor)
composer:
Franz Lehár (composer)
part of:
Die lustige Witwe: Akt II
part of:
Die lustige Witwe: Akt II
partial recording of:
Die lustige Witwe: Akt II. N°7. Introduktion, Tanz und Vilja-Lied: “Ich bitte, hier jetzt zu verweilen” … “Nun laßt uns aber wie daheim” … “Es lebt’ eine Vilja” (Hanna, Chor)
composer:
Franz Lehár (composer)
part of:
Die lustige Witwe: Akt II
part of:
Die lustige Witwe: Akt II
Franz Lehár4:55
13Ombra mai fu (Xerxes)
harpsichord:
Valda Aveling (pianist, harpsichordist and clavichordist)
tenor vocals:
Richard Lewis (Welsh tenor)
orchestra:
Hallé Orchestra
conductor:
Sir John Barbirolli (conductor and cellist)
arranger:
Ingfried Hoffmann
recording of:
Serse, HWV 40: Atto I. Arioso “Ombra mai fù” (“largo”; catch‐all for arrangements)
composer:
George Frideric Handel (German‐British baroque composer)
arrangement of:
Serse, HWV 40: Atto I, no. 2. Arioso “Ombra mai fù” (Serse)
George Frideric Handel3:18
14Ave Maria (Ellens Gesang III) D839
piano:
Gerald Moore (pianist)
mezzo-soprano vocals:
Janet Baker (mezzo‐soprano and alto)
recording of:
Ave Maria (Schubert’s Ave Maria: Latin “Ave Maria” text sung to the tune of ‘Ellens Gesang III, op. 52 no. 6, D. 839 “Ave Maria”’)
lyricist:
[anonymous] (special purpose artist)
composer:
Franz Schubert (composer)
version of:
Ellens Gesang III, op. 52 no. 6, D. 839 “Ave Maria” (Schubert's song, not the Bach/Gounod work; original for voice and piano)
recording of:
Ellens Gesang III, op. 52 no. 6, D. 839 “Ave Maria” (Schubert's song, not the Bach/Gounod work; original for voice and piano)
lyricist:
Jairo (Argentinean singer) and Sir Walter Scott (19th-century Scottish author)
composer:
Franz Schubert (composer) (in 1825)
translator:
Adam Storck
part of:
Franz Schubert, thematisches Verzeichnis seiner Werke in chronologischer Folge (number: D. 839)
Franz Schubert6:45
15Minuit, Chrétiens (O Holy Night)
producer:
Étienne Collard
choir vocals:
Chœur du Capitole de Toulouse (from 1996-05-02 until 1996-05-06) and Petits chanteurs à la croix potencée (from 1996-05-02 until 1996-05-06)
tenor vocals:
Roberto Alagna (tenor) (from 1996-05-02 until 1996-05-06)
orchestra:
Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse (from 1996-05-02 until 1996-05-06)
conductor:
Michel Plasson (conductor) (from 1996-05-02 until 1996-05-06)
chorus master:
David Godefroid (chorus master) (in 1996-05) and Pierre Iodice (Chorus master) (in 1996-05)
arranger:
Alain Kremski (French composer, pianist and percussionist)
balance engineer:
Daniel Michel (recording engineer)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Music France (1994–2013) (in 1996)
recorded at:
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Daurade in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, Occitanie (Occitania), France (from 1996-05-02 until 1996-05-06)
recording of:
Cantique de Noël “Minuit chrétiens” (French original of “O Holy Night”) (in 1996-05)
lyricist:
Placide Cappeau
composer:
Adolphe Adam (French composer) (in 1847)
is based on:
Minuit, chrétiens (Poem)
Adolphe Adam5:00
16Nessun dorma (Turandot)
choir vocals:
Chœur de l'Opéra national du Rhin (Rhine Opera Chorus)
tenor vocals [Calaf]:
José Carreras (Spanish tenor)
orchestra:
Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra)
conductor:
Alain Lombard (conductor)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
EMI Records Ltd. (not for release label use! UK parent of EMI‐owned labels until Sept 2012) (in 1978)
recording of:
Turandot: Atto III, scena 1. Aria “Nessun dorma” (Calaf)
composer:
Giacomo Puccini (Italian composer) (from 1921-03 until 1924-03)
librettist:
Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni
publisher:
Casa Ricordi BMG S.p.A. and Ed. G. Ricordi & Cia. SpA (Italian publisher)
part of:
Turandot: Atto III (Turandot: Act III)
Giacomo Puccini4:10
4▶CD: Golden Classics
5▶CD: Favourite Classics
6▶CD: Spiritual Classics

Credits

Release group

part of:100 Best (EMI Classics) (order: 1)