Why is CPR Classical essential to you?

Last month, CPR Classical celebrated Labor Day with 60 hours of Essential Classics - our choices of the most important pieces from all musical eras.

We've prepared a complete list of the music played -- all 60 hours! Use it to learn more about the music CPR thinks is essential​. A more detailed list - with artist and record information - is here.

These were our picks - now we want to hear from you!

Call our comment line and tell us Why CPR Classical is essential in your life -and- What are your essential pieces.

Call 303-952-7840

Leave your message by Sunday, October 8 and we may use your voice to invite others to join you as a supporter during the Fall Membership Campaign.

Here is the list of Essential Classics, sorted by era. Again, click here to download the full list.

Composer LastTitle, Catalog No., OpusRecord Co.Label#
PRE-BAROQUE   
Allegri, GregorioMiserereDecca2260102
Byrd, WilliamMass for 5 voicesHarmonia Mundi906102
Byrd, WilliamMass for 5 voicesHarmonia Mundi906102
BAROQUE   
Bach, Johann SebastianToccata & Fugue, BWV 565EMI95424
Bach, Johann SebastianMein Jesu, BWV 487Naxos572050
Bach, Johann SebastianOrchestral Suite #3, BWV 1068Colorado SpotlightColorado Spotlight
Bach, Johann SebastianGoldberg Variations, BWV 988Sony38479
Bach, Johann SebastianLittle Fugue, BWV 578DG1903202
Bach, Johann SebastianSleepers Awake, BWV 645Decca466465
Bach, Johann SebastianWell-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude & Fugue, BWV 846London414388
Bach, Johann SebastianCantata #140 "Sleepers Awake", BWV 140LOiseau417616
Bach, Johann SebastianCantata #140 "Sleepers Awake", BWV 140LOiseau417616
Bach, Johann SebastianOrchestral Suite #3, BWV 1068Colorado SpotlightColorado Spotlight
Bach, Johann SebastianGoldberg Variations, BWV 988Sony38479
Bach, Johann SebastianLute Suite #4: Prelude, BWV 1006aEMI54905
Bach, Johann SebastianJesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, BWV 147Sony60680
Bach, Johann SebastianMein Jesu, BWV 487Naxos572050
Bach, Johann SebastianConcerto for 2 Violins, BWV 1043Decca12490
Bach, Johann SebastianSheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208Sony93927
Bach, Johann SebastianBrandenburg Concerto #6, BWV 1051DG423116
Biber, HeinrichSonata #4Colorado SpotlightColorado Spotlight
Biber, HeinrichSonata #4Colorado SpotlightColorado Spotlight
Corelli, ArcangeloTrio Sonata #1, Op 4/1Harmonia Mundi901342
Corelli, ArcangeloTrio Sonata #1, Op 4/1Harmonia Mundi901342
Handel, George FridericArrival of the Queen of Sheba, HWV 67DG429390
Handel, George FridericSaul: Symphony (Harp Solo), HWV 53ATMA2541
Handel, George FridericXerxes: Largo, HWV 40OUR220602
Handel, George FridericMessiah: Hallelujah Chorus, HWV 56Harmonia Mundi901928
Handel, George FridericKeyboard Suite #5: Air, HWV 430/4Decca472572
Handel, George FridericMusic for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351Sony63073
Handel, George FridericXerxes: Largo, HWV 40OUR220602
Handel, George FridericMessiah: Hallelujah Chorus, HWV 56Harmonia Mundi901928
Handel, George FridericSaul: Symphony (Harp Solo), HWV 53ATMA2541
Handel, George FridericHarp Concerto, HWV 294, Op 4/6VirginClss61304
Handel, George FridericConcerto grosso #2, HWV 320, Op 6/2Harmonia Mundi907228
Pachelbel, JohannCanon & GigueAlia Vox9820
Pachelbel, JohannCanon & GigueAlia Vox9820
Scarlatti, DomenicoKeyboard Sonata, K 380Analekta3163
Scarlatti, DomenicoKeyboard Sonata, K 380Analekta3163
Telemann, Georg PhilippViola Concerto, TWV 51:G9Chandos593
Telemann, Georg PhilippViola Concerto, TWV 51:G9Chandos593
Telemann, Georg PhilippConcerto for Four Violins, TWV 40:201Colorado SpotlightColorado Spotlight
Vivaldi, Antonio4 Seasons: Summer, RV 315, Op 8/2Sony711013
Vivaldi, AntonioConcerto "La Notte", RV 439, Op 10/2Harmonia Mundi902190
Vivaldi, Antonio4 Seasons: Summer, RV 315, Op 8/2Sony711013
CLASSICAL   
Beethoven, Ludwig vanFur Elise, WoO 59Philips412227
Beethoven, Ludwig vanSymphony #2: II Larghetto, Op 36Sony754254
Beethoven, Ludwig vanLeonore Overture #3, Op 72aDG435617
Beethoven, Ludwig vanPiano Concerto #4, Op 58Sony37762
Beethoven, Ludwig vanSymphony #8: II Allegretto scherzando, Op 93EMI95445
Beethoven, Ludwig vanPiano Sonata #14 "Moonlight", Op 27/2Arabesque6677
Beethoven, Ludwig vanString Quartet #13: V Cavatina, Op 130Valley Entertainment15244
Beethoven, Ludwig vanPiano Sonata #8 "Pathetique": II Adagio, Op 13RCA60356
Beethoven, Ludwig vanSymphony #5, Op 67DG447400
Beethoven, Ludwig vanSymphony #3 "Eroica", Op 55Bis1516
Boccherini, LuigiString Quintet #5: Minuet, G 275, Op 11/5EMI57555
Gluck, ChristophOrfeo & Euridice: Dance of the Blessed SpiritsEMI95429
Haydn, JosephTrumpet Concerto, HOB 7e:1Sony37846
Haydn, JosephString Quartet "Largo", HOB 3:79, Op 76/5London425467
Haydn, JosephThe Creation: The Heavens are Telling, HOB 21:2Telarc80397
Haydn, JosephSymphony #93: II Largo cantabile, HOB 1:93Nimbus5200
Haydn, JosephSymphony #94 "Surprise", HOB 1:94London448531
Haydn, JosephSymphony #104 "London": IV Finale: Spiritoso, HOB 1:104Philharmonia Baroque2
Hummel, JohannTrumpet Concerto, S 49EMI16213
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusPiano Sonata #16, K 545RCA60709
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusClarinet Concerto: II Adagio, K 622EMI88576
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusSymphony #41 "Jupiter", K 551Telarc80139
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusPiano Concerto #21, K 467DG439941
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusSymphony #40, K 550DG429731
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusRequiem: Lacrimosa, K 626Decca4757486
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusRequiem, K 626Telarc80128
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusRequiem, K 626Telarc80128
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusClarinet Concerto: II Adagio, K 622EMI88576
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusAve verum corpus, K 618EMI70853
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusEine kleine nachtmusik, K 525Decca4758052
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusSerenade "Gran Partita", K 361Decca4780316
Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusClarinet Concerto, K 622Bis1893
ROMANTIC   
Barber, SamuelAdagio for Strings, Op 11Chandos7039
Bartok, BelaString Quartet #5: I Allegro, Sz 102Decca455297
Bellini, VincenzoNorma: Casta DivaEMI67830
Berlioz, HectorRob Roy Overture, H54London421193
Berlioz, HectorSymphonie fantastique: IV March to the Scaffold, Op 14Telarc80271
Bizet, GeorgesCarmen: HabaneraEMI65579
Bizet, GeorgesCarmen: IntermezzoTelarc80224
Bizet, GeorgesSymphonyTeldec77309
Bizet, GeorgesCarmen: IntermezzoTelarc80224
Bizet, GeorgesL'Arlesienne: Suite #1Naive5130
Bizet, GeorgesCarmen: SeguidillaTelarc80703
Borodin, AlexanderString Quartet #2: NocturneDG435757
Borodin, AlexanderIn the Steppes of Central AsiaSony63076
Borodin, AlexanderString Quartet #2: NocturneDG435757
Brahms, JohannesSymphony #1, Op 68Naxos557428
Brahms, JohannesAcademic Festival Overture, Op 80Naxos557428
Brahms, JohannesWiegenlied, Op 49/4Decca2032902
Brahms, JohannesSymphony #3: III Poco Allegretto, Op 90DG427602
Brahms, JohannesSymphony #4, Op 98DG457706
Brahms, JohannesIntermezzo, Op 119/2Philips411137
Brahms, JohannesVariations on a Theme of Haydn, Op 56aPentatone5186307
Brahms, JohannesViolin Concerto: III Allegro giocoso, Op 77Pentatone5186066
Bruch, MaxViolin Concerto #1, Op 26EMI64922
Bruckner, AntonSymphony #4 "Romantic": III Scherzo, WAB 104Philips442040
Chopin, FredericPiano Sonata #2 "Funeral March", B 128, Op 35Decca4410
Chopin, FredericNocturne #8, B 96, Op 27/2Vanguard1551
Chopin, FredericFantaisie-Impromptu, B 87, Op 66DG4776555
Chopin, FredericNocturne #2, B 54/2, Op 9/2Hyperion67831
Chopin, FredericEtude #1, Op 10/1Harmonia Mundi907505
Chopin, FredericPrelude #15 "Raindrop", B 107, Op 28/15EMI17626
Chopin, FredericEtude #5 "Black keys", B 57/1, Op 10/5Sony61885
Chopin, FredericWaltz "Valse Brillante" #1, B 94, Op 34/1EMI58513
Delibes, LeoLakme: Flower DuetEMI57555
Dvorak, AntoninSymphony #9 "From the New World": IV Allegro, B 178, Op 95Naxos570714
Dvorak, AntoninSymphony #7: II Poco adagio, B 141, Op 70Channel30010
Dvorak, AntoninCello Concerto, Op 104Sony67173
Dvorak, AntoninRomance, Op 11RCA63591
Dvorak, AntoninSymphony #8, B 163, Op 88Naxos572112
Dvorak, AntoninHumoresque #7, Op 101/7DG1531202
Dvorak, AntoninSymphony #9 "From the New World", B 178, Op 95Seattle Symphony1006
Elgar, EdwardEnigma Variations, Op 36EMI55001
Elgar, EdwardViolin Concerto: II Andante, Op 61Canary6
Elgar, EdwardChanson de matin, Op 15/2Chandos24135
Elgar, EdwardPomp & Circumstance March #1 "Land of Hope and Glory", Op 39/1London417719
Faure, GabrielPelleas & Melisande: Sicilienne, Op 78/80Vanguard1239
Faure, GabrielBerceuse, Op 16EMI54882
Franck, CesarViolin Sonata, M 8EMI56815
Franck, CesarPanis angelicusDecca5193
Franck, CesarPanis angelicusDecca5193
Glazunov, AlexanderThe Seasons: Petit Adagio, Op 67Ondine938
Glazunov, AlexanderThe Seasons: Petit Adagio, Op 67CPR10
Glinka, MikhailRusslan & Ludmilla: OverturePhilips442011
Granados, EnriqueDanza Espanola #5 "Andaluza", H142, Op 37/5APM65642
Grieg, EdvardPeer Gynt Suite #2: Arabian Dance, Op 55/2Intersound2802
Grieg, EdvardPiano Concerto, Op 16Decca1079202
Grieg, EdvardPeer Gynt: Morning Mood, Op 46/1X5105
Grieg, EdvardPeer Gynt: Solveig's Song, Op 55/4Reference99
Grieg, EdvardPeer Gynt Suite #2: Arabian Dance, Op 55/2Intersound2802
Grieg, EdvardPeer Gynt Suite #2, Op 55London425857
Kreisler, FritzLiebesleidDG449923
Kreisler, FritzLiebesleidDG449923
Liszt, FranzPiano Concerto #1, S 124DG415061
Liszt, FranzLes Preludes, S 97Sony66834
Mahler, GustavSymphony #5: IV AdagiettoDG445486
Massenet, JulesThais: MeditationRCA61700
Mendelssohn, FelixHebrides Overture "Fingal's Cave", Op 26Decca4781525
Mendelssohn, FelixSymphony #3 "Scottish": III Adagio, Op 56Warner Classics62769
Mendelssohn, FelixSymphony #4 "Italian", Op 90Sony61843
Mendelssohn, FelixViolin Concerto, Op 64Decca460976
Mussorgsky, ModestNight on Bald MountainDG7182
Mussorgsky, ModestPictures at an ExhibitionDG2588502
Ponchielli, AmilcareLa Gioconda: Dance of the HoursDecca4780096
Puccini, GiacomoMadame Butterfly: Un bel diTelarc80260
Puccini, GiacomoManon Lescaut: IntermezzoDG429494
Puccini, GiacomoTurandot: Nessun DormaSony509248
Rachmaninoff, SergeiPiano Concerto #2: I Moderato, Op 18Decca1811702
Rachmaninoff, SergeiRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: Variation 18, Op 43Sony46715
Rachmaninoff, SergeiPiano Concerto #2, Op 18Sony36722
Rachmaninoff, SergeiPiano Concerto #3, Op 30Sony64384
Rimsky-Korsakov, NikolayTsar Saltan: Flight of the BumblebeeLondon417301
Rossini, GioachinoBarber of Seville: OvertureDG439515
Rossini, GioachinoThieving Magpie: OvertureEMI54091
Rossini, GioachinoSemiramide: OvertureLondon414407
Rossini, GioachinoWilliam Tell: OvertureRCA65844
Saint-Saens, CamilleCarnival of the Animals: AquariumEMI70872
Saint-Saens, CamilleCarnival of the Animals: The SwanEMI57052
Schubert, FranzPiano Trio "Notturno", D 897, Op 148Analekta9770
Schubert, FranzAve Maria, D 839, Op 52/6London460400
Schubert, FranzPiano Quintet "Trout", D 667London460034
Schubert, FranzImpromptu, D 935/3, Op 142/3Avie2157
Schumann, RobertThree Romances, Op 94Delos3235
Sibelius, JeanFinlandia, Op 26Sony61698
Smetana, BedrichThe MoldauPhilips416382
Strauss, Johann IIBlue Danube Waltz, Op 314EMI17626
Strauss, Johann IIEmperor Waltz, Op 437Seraphim69095
Strauss, Johann IITales from the Vienna Woods, Op 325Telarc80504
Strauss, RichardTill Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op 28VirginClss61460
Tarrega, FranciscoMemories of the AlhambraEMI70872
Tchaikovsky, PeterSwan Lake Ballet Suite, Op 20aDecca7341
Tchaikovsky, PeterRomeo & Juliet Fantasy-Overture: Love ThemeDecca473596
Tchaikovsky, PeterSleeping Beauty: Suite, Op 66aDecca466379
Tchaikovsky, Peter1812 Overture, Op 49Mariinsky503
Tchaikovsky, PeterRomeo & Juliet Fantasy-Overture: Love ThemeDecca473596
Tchaikovsky, PeterAndante Cantabile, Op 11DG437952
Tchaikovsky, PeterPiano Concerto #1, Op 23Colorado SpotlightColorado Spotlight
Wagner, RichardSiegfried IdyllLondon410111
Wagner, RichardTannhauser: OvertureAccentus102
Wagner, RichardTristan & Isolde: Prelude & LiebestodDG4778773
Wagner, RichardSiegfried IdyllLondon410111
Wagner, RichardThe Valkyries: Ride of the ValkyriesErato26388
IMPRESSIONISTIC   
Debussy, ClaudePelleas et Melisande: Suite, L 65DG471332
Debussy, ClaudeString Quartet, L 85, Op 10Hyperion68061
Debussy, ClaudePrelude #2: Voiles, L 117Cd Baby129839
Debussy, ClaudePrelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, L 86DG435766
Debussy, ClaudePrelude #8: La fille aux cheveux de lin, L 117Onyx4057
Enescu, GeorgeRoumanian Rhapsody #1, Op 11RCA6213
Ravel, MauricePavane for a Dead PrincessEMI8501
Satie, ErikGymnopedies #s 3 & 1Decca466710
Vaughan Williams, RalphFantasia on "Greensleeves"DG419191
CONTEMPORARY   
Adams, JohnShort Ride in a Fast MachineNonesuch79144
Adams, JohnViolin ConcertoSignum468
Adams, JohnThe Chairman DancesNonesuch79144
Adams, JohnLollapaloozaNonesuch79607
Albeniz, IsaacSuite Espanola: Sevilla, Op 47/3EMI56730
Albeniz, IsaacSuite Espanola: Granada, Op 47/1Decca470477
AnonymousOh, ShenandoahACC122
Barber, SamuelAdagio for Strings, Op 11Decca468506
Bates, MasonMothershipBMOP1045
Bernstein, LeonardCandide: OvertureDG459552
Bernstein, LeonardOn the Town: II Lonely townSony60559
Bernstein, LeonardCandide: OvertureSony63085
Boulanger, NadiaThree pieces for OrganNaxos8573524
Brittelle, WilliamFuture ShockNew Amsterdam38
Britten, BenjaminSimple Symphony, Op 4DG423624
Britten, BenjaminYoung Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op 34EMI55394
Canteloube, JosephSongs of the Auvergne: BaileroEMI64249
Copland, AaronRodeoBis2164
Copland, AaronEl Salon MexicoBis2164
Copland, AaronAppalachian SpringDG427335
Delius, FrederickOn hearing the 1st Cuckoo In Spring, RT VI/19/1Naxos570364
Dukas, PaulSorcerer's ApprenticeDecca2562702
Durufle, MauriceRequiem: Sanctus, Op 9DG459365
Falla, Manuel deLa Vida Breve: Spanish Dance #1London417891
Falla, Manuel deSeven Popular Spanish Songs: CancionEMI164712
Gershwin, GeorgePrelude for Piano: Gershwin Melody #17Musicole4
Gershwin, GeorgeAn American in ParisRCA68931
Gershwin, GeorgePorgy & Bess: SummertimeLondon460567
Glass, PhilipGlassworks: ClosingSony90394
Glass, PhilipKoyaanisqatsi: Koyaanisqatsi, Organic, Cloudscape, ResourceNonesuch79506
Glass, PhilipGlassworks: FacadesEMI64249
Greenstein, JuddFour on the FloorSono Luminus92212
Grofe, FerdeGrand Canyon Suite: On the TrailDelos3104
Holst, GustavThe Planets: Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity, Op 32Denver Brass8837
Khachaturian, AramSpartacus: Adagio of Spartacus & PhrygiaPhilips442011
Lauridsen, MortenO magnum mysteriumRCM19605
Lauridsen, MortenDirait-onReference110
Lauridsen, MortenO Magnum MysteriumKantorei2000
Lauridsen, MortenO Magnum MysteriumKantorei2000
Pann, CarterThe Mechanics: Six from the Shop Floor: FlywheelBlue Griffin367
Part, ArvoMagnificatACC121
Part, ArvoSpiegel im spiegelKoch7762
Piazzolla, AstorLibertangoSony63122
Prokofiev, SergeiThe Love for 3 Oranges: March, Op 33Newport85551
Prokofiev, SergeiPeter & the Wolf, Op 67Sony60175
Ravel, MauriceUne barque sur l'oceanDenon71798
Ravel, MauriceKaddishCentaur2537
Ravel, MauriceUne barque sur l'oceanDenon71798
Ravel, MauriceBoleroDG427644
Rodrigo, JoaquinConcierto de Aranjuez: II AdagioSony33208
Rodrigo, JoaquinConcierto de Aranjuez: II AdagioDG2003902
Shaw, CarolinePartita for 8 Voices: AllemandeNew Amsterdam41
Shostakovich, DmitriGadfly: Romance, Op 97RCA6603
Sibelius, JeanSwan of Tuonela, Op 22Ondine930
Stravinsky, IgorViolin ConcertoSony89649
Thompson, RandallAlleluiaCygnus4
Turina, JoaquinSerenata, Op 87Claves9215
Vaughan Williams, RalphFantasia on a Theme by Thomas TallisSony62645
Vaughan Williams, RalphFantasia on a Theme by Thomas TallisSony62645
Villa-Lobos, HeitorBachianas Brasileiras #5: AriaEMI74249