Beethoven tops the 2021 Classic 100 with his "Emperor" Piano Concerto

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Classic 100, we asked you about the classical music you can't live without.

The votes have been counted and Ludwig Van Beethoven's "Emperor" Piano Concerto came in at number 1!

A portrait of Ludwig Van Beethoven by Joseph Carl Steiler, 1820

The 20th anniversary countdown was one of the most popular on record, with more than 127,000 votes cast. To celebrate 20 years of the Classic 100, ABC Classic opened voting up to the full history of classical music and asked voters: What's the music you can't live without? This year's countdown was only 415 votes shy of beating the record set by 2019's Classic 100: Composer.

The "Emperor" Concerto's win comes off the back of 2020's Classic 100: Beethoven poll, dedicated solely to the music of Beethoven in the year commemorating the 250th anniversary of his birth. In 2020, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, featuring the well-loved "Ode to Joy", took out the top spot, with the "Emperor" coming in next place.

The second Classic 100 to take place during the pandemic, perhaps there was a synergy for some, with the Fifth Piano Concerto composed by Beethoven in virtual lockdown. Beethoven started composing the work in 1809, as Napoleon’s armies began their occupation of Vienna. "What a destructive, disorderly life I see around me," Beethoven wrote to his publisher in 1809, "There’s nothing but drums, cannons and human misery in every form." At one point during the premiere in 1811, a French soldier was reported to have called out, "C’est l’Empereur!" and the nickname has stood ever since.

The concerto has appeared in eight previous Classic 100 countdowns, but only once before has placed first, in 2007's Classic 100: Concerto. In 2001's original Classic 100 it came in fourth, and rose to second place in 2010's countdown "10 years on."

Voters around Australia gave many reasons for why this was the music they can't live without. "It contains every element of Beethoven's greatness, the magic of ensemble, individual moments of profound reflection and something of which I have never tired in over 6 decades since first I heard it aged 9," said one voter from Bowral, NSW. Another from Hobart, Tasmania, said:

"It totally and utterly affects me emotionally."

For some the piece brings back memories of loved ones. Others recalled its use in favourite cinematic moments, especially 2010's The King's Speech.

The top ten of this year's Classic 100 features some of the most-loved repertoire in classical music. Beethoven also took out the second spot with his Ninth Symphony and coming in third was Vaughan Williams's "The Lark Ascending".

The Classic 100 countdown takes place annually across two days in June, following voting throughout May. Countdowns are often based around a theme, with previous countdowns dedicated to specific genres and eras of music, particular instruments, or concepts like love and dance. You can view the top 100 and listen to the full 2021 countdown on the ABC Classic website.

First published at abc.net.au, June 13, 2021