ABC Classic’s 2026 countdown reveals the greatest classical music of all time, with tens of thousands of Australian listeners voting on their favorite pieces across a weekend of live reveals on June 6 and 7.
Quick Facts
- The countdown spans two days, Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 2026
- Voting closed on May 28, with results announced live on ABC Classic radio and the ABC Listen app
- Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major won the original 2001 ABC Classic 100 and ranks at #14 this year
- The top 100 pieces remain secret until revealed during the countdown broadcast
This year marks a special edition as ABC Classic celebrates its 50th anniversary. The theme, “Greatest of All Time,” asks listeners a bold question: what is the greatest classical piece ever written? The countdown reveals works spanning centuries, from baroque masterpieces to contemporary film scores.
Early reveals show a mix of traditional classical works and modern compositions. Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings ranks at #10, Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor at #11, and John Williams’ Star Wars series at #12. The countdown also features Edward Elgar’s Variations on an Original Theme ‘Enigma’ at #19 and Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit scores at #20.
ABC Classic 100 countdown reveals greatest classical music of all time
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The votes reflect diverse tastes across classical music. Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons ‘Winter’ appears at #21, with Beethoven’s iconic Piano Sonata No. 14 ‘Moonlight’ landing at #16. Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 ranks at #15, and Mozart’s Requiem appears in the top 10 at #9.
Film and television music features prominently in this year’s results. Ennio Morricone’s The Mission ranks at #13, while works by contemporary composers like Arvo Pärt show classical music’s continued evolution. The countdown celebrates not only traditional orchestral pieces but also how classical music has influenced and shaped popular culture.
Listeners can follow the countdown live on ABC Classic FM, the ABC Listen app, and the ABC Classic website as the countdown continues toward the #1 position. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will bring highlights from the countdown to life at ABC Classic 100 in Concert on June 19 and 20 at Hamer Hall in Melbourne.
Sources
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Live countdown updates with top 50 rankings and details on voting and broadcast schedule
- Limelight magazine — Voting dates and 2026 ABC Classic 100 announcement
- Melbourne Symphony Orchestra — Concert dates and venue information
- RadioInfo Australia — Information on ABC Classic’s 50th anniversary in 2026
