10 September 2017
Newsdesk
As Classic FM celebrates its 25th birthday, it’s released the top 25 hits from the past 25 years that sample classical music. The list includes hits from Zayn, Madonna, Little Mix and Puff Daddy, among others.
Classic FM presenter John Suchet said: “The list of hits from the past 25 years is fantastic because it confirms just how relevant classical music is to our lives. We are on a mission to make classical music accessible to everyone, regardless of age or background. A quarter of a century on from when we launched in 1992, we’re still dedicated to breaking down the barriers around classical music and broadening its appeal. These 25 hits reinforce how inspiring and important classical music is to music today.”
Speaking about the importance of classical music, Professor Green said: “The world of rap has huge respect for classical music. Myself along with lots of contemporary artists recognise the value and the importance classical music has on our music making and it has often played a big part in my song writing. It’s a real shame when people say that its outdated and not relevant to today’s music scene. The ability to evoke emotion and take a listener on a journey - to effectively tell a story without narration should speak enough about its importance. I’m a huge fan of TV and film, scores to which classical music has a huge influence over – Eric Serra’s work on Leon helped make a good script into a great film.”
2017: G-EAZY, Carnage and Thirty Rack, ‘Guala’ (Erik Satie, Gnossienne No.1)
2016: Zayn, ‘Blue’ (Johann Sebastian Bach, Prelude No.1 in C major from The Well–Tempered Clavier)
2015: Muse, ‘Drones’ (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Benedictus from Missa Papae Marcelli)
2014: David Guetta, ‘Dangerous’ (Ezio Bosso, Symphony No.2 ‘Under the Trees’ – 4th movement)
2013: Little Mix, ‘Little Me’ (Gabriel Fauré, Pavane in F-sharp Minor)
2012: Alicia Keys, ‘Piano Mash Up’ (Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor ‘Moonlight’ – 1st Movement)
2011: Dizzee Rascal, ‘Nutcrackerz’ featuring Giggs (Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker)
2010: NDubbs and BodyRox, ‘We Dance On’ (Johann Pachelbel, Canon in D Major)
2009: Lady Gaga, ‘Alejandro’ (Vittorio Monti, Csárdás)
2008: Beyonce, ‘Ave Maria’ (Franz Schubert, Ave Maria)
2007: Alicia Keys, ‘As I Am’ (Frédéric Chopin, Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp Minor)
2006: Professor Green feat. C.O.R.E and Chynaman – ‘Upper Clapton Dance’ (Brahms’Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F♯ Minor)
2005: Bright Eyes, ‘Road to Joy’ (Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No.9 in D minor – 4th movement ‘Ode to Joy’)
2004: The Farm ‘All Together Now’ (Johann Pachelbel, Canon in D major)
2003: Nas, ‘I Can’ (Ludwig van Beethoven, Bagatelle No.25 in A minor ‘Für Elise’)
2002: The Streets, ‘Same Old Thing’ (Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No.9 in E minor ‘From the New World’ – 1st movement)
2001: Ludacris, ‘Coming 2 America’ (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ‘Dies Irae’ from theRequiem in D Minor)
2000: S Club 7, ‘Natural’ (Gabriel Fauré, Pavane in F-sharp minor)
1999: Puff Daddy, ‘Hate Me Now’ (Carl Orff, ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana)
1998: Sweetbox, ‘Everything's Gonna Be Alright’ (Johann Sebastian Bach, Air on the G String)
1997: Puff Daddy, ‘I’ll be Missing You’ (SamuelBarber, Agnus Dei)
1996: Celine Dion, ‘All by Myself’ (Sergei Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor – 2nd movement)
1995: Take That, ‘Never Forget’ (Giuseppe Verdi, ‘Tuba mirum’ from the Requiem Mass)
1994: 2 Unlimited, ‘The Real Thing’ (Johann Sebastian Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor)
1993: UB40, ‘I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You’ (Jean – Paul - Égide Martini, Plaisir d'Amour)
1992: Madonna, ‘In This Life’ (George Gershwin, Prelude No.2 in C-sharp minor)
