Each Easter weekend, Classic FM broadcast its 'Hall Of Fame' which reveals the results of the world's biggest poll of classical music tastes. The 'Hall Of Fame' celebrates the top 300 pieces of classical music, as voted for by 4.6m Classic FM listeners.
This CST activities page lists the best or most recognisable tracks from the 'Hall Of Fame' to provide an opportunity for members to celebrate some of the best classical music out there. The idea is to play clips from the Spotify playlist below to support musical memory recall. There is also a dementia friendly quiz question for each track to help with reminiscence and discussion.
Don't forget to ask members what their favourite classical music pieces are, so they can also be included.
As usual, a reminder that enjoyment and participation are more important than achievement. However, you can help members get the right answers by giving lots of prompts, such as initials or first words.
Thanks 👍
Round 1. Perhaps The Most Recognisable Pieces Of Classical Music From 201-300
297. Hubert Parry's 'Jerusalem' is sung before every meeting of which charitable organisation?
291. Franz Schubert's 'Ave Maria' is a prayer to which saint?
257. Richard Strauss's 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' sunrise theme was used as the theme music for which 1968 Stanley Kubrick film?
245. Aaron Copland's 'Fanfare For The Common Man' was adapted to become a top ten hit in 1977 for which prog rock band?
243. Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence' won a BAFTA for Best Film Music for the movie of the same name. Which British singer-songwriter starred in it?
242. Jerome Moross's score for the 1958 epic Western movie 'The Big Country' was nominated for an Oscar. Who, pictured here, starred in the movie?
240. Elmer Bernstein's theme for the 1963 movie 'The Great Escape' is one of the most memorable. Who, pictured here, starred as Hilts "The Cooler King"?
223. George Gershwin's 'Porgy And Bess' is regarded as one of the best ever American operas. The song 'Summertime', which comes from it, was a hit in 1957 for which Ella & Louis?
216. Ralph Vaughan Williams's 'Fantasia On Greensleeves' is next. Which Tudor king is said to have composed the original 'Greensleeves'?
205. Gioachino Rossini's 'The Barber Of Seville' ('Figaro') featured in the opening titles of which 1993 movie starring Robin Williams?
Round 2. Perhaps The Most Recognisable Pieces Of Classical Music From 151-200 (ish)
191. John Williams's 'Hymn To The Fallen' featured in which 1998 Stephen Spielberg movie starring Tom Hanks?
190. James Horner's 'Braveheart' theme was written for the 1995 movie of the same name starring which Australian?
188. Felix Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' features which piece of music that many of us might have walked up the aisle to?
182. Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Cantata No. 147' includes which choral piece? Complete the title ... 'Jesu, Joy Of **** ********'?
173. John Williams's theme for the 1982 movie 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' is next. What was E.T.'s catchphrase?
163. Which 1970s aftershave was Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' used as the theme for?
162. Barrington Pheulong's theme for 'Inspector Morse' comes next. What was Morse's Christian name?
158. Leo Delibes's 'Lakme Flower Duet' was used in the 1980s to advertise which airline?
149. 'The Lion King' 1994 movie included a score by Hans Zimmer and songs by Elton & Tim who?
140. Elmer Bernstein's theme for the 1960 movie 'The Magnificent Seven' is next. Which actors starred in this movie?
Round 3. Perhaps The Most Recognisable Pieces Of Classical Music From 101-150 (ish)
135. Ennio Morricone's theme for the 1988 movie 'Cinema Paradiso' comes next. On which Italian island was the movie set?
126. Music from Giacomo Puccini's opera 'Turandot' includes the classic song 'Nessun Dorma'. Which 'FIFA World Cup' was it sung at by 'The Three Tenors' for & who were they?
111. John Barry's 'Out Of Africa' 1985 movie theme is next. Which two actors, pictured here, starred in it?
107. Ronald Binge's 'Sailing By' is played every night on BBC Radio 4's 'The Shipping Forecast'. What is your shipping area?
104. Maurice Ravel's 'Bolero' was danced to by whom when they won Olympic gold at Sarajevo in 1984?
101. 'The Humming Chorus' from Giacomo Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' was the inspiration for the song 'Bring Him Home' from which French Revolution musical?
99. 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' movie score by John Williams comes next. What was the name of the character in the movies & who played him?
93. 'By The Beautiful Blue Danube' by Johann Strauss is next. Which capital city of Austria sits on the river Danube?
86. 'The Good The Bad And The Ugly' movie score by Ennio Morricone is next. Who, pictured here, starred in the spaghetti western?
80. Ludwig Van Beethoven's 'Fifth Symphony' is last in this round. He wrote it over four years (1804-08) when what was happening to him?
Round 4. Perhaps The Most Recognisable Pieces Of Classical Music From 51-100 (ish)
72. The theme from the 1990 movie 'Dances With Wolves' starts this next round. Who starred as John Dunbar in the movie?
70. Gioachino Rossini's 'William Tell Overture' was used as the title music for which masked here TV show?
61. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' is next. This classical ballet features the following pice of music (complete the title) - 'Dance Of The ***** **** *****'?
60. Edward Elger's 'Land Of Hope And Glory' is always performed at what annual event in 'The Royal Albert Hall'?
57. John Williams's 'Harry Potter' 2001 movie theme is next. What were the names of the four 'Houses' at 'Hogwart's'?
53. George Frideric Handel's coronation anthem 'Zadok The Priest' has been performed at every coronation since 1711 (George 11). In which year was Queen Elizabeth 11's coronation?
45. John Williams's theme for the 1993 movie 'Jurassic Park' comes next. Where did they retrieve the dino DNA from to resurrect the creatures?
44. Handel's 'Messiah' is next. Which well known chorus does it include?
43. Hans Zimmer's score for the 2000 movie 'Gladiator' comes next. Who starred as Maximus Decimus Meridius in this movie?
40. John William's theme for the 1977 movie 'Star Wars' is next. Name the characters in the picture above?
Round 5. Perhaps The Most Recognisable Pieces Of Classical Music From 1-50 (ish)
38. Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' is the first in this last round. Which 2000 movie saw the main character, when grown up, dance as the Swan with his father overcome with emotion watching?
33. Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' was composed to commemorate Russia's successful defence against French forces led by which emperor?
26. Howard Shore's score for the 2001 movie 'Lord Of The Rings' comes next. Who wrote the books on which the movies were based?
22. George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody In Blue' is a musical portrait of which early 20th century city?
21. Antonio Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' is next. Name as many winter, spring, summer and fall flowers as you can within a minute or two?
16. Antonin Dvorak's 'Symphony No. 9 (From The New World)' served as the theme music for which 1970s advert?
12. Ennio Morricone's score for the 1986 movie 'The Mission (including Gabriel's Oboe)' is next. Who played the part of Father Gabriel in this movie?
10. John Williams's haunting theme for the 1993 movie 'Schindler's List' is next. How many Jews did Oskar Schindler secretly save from the concentration camps by employing them in his factories: a. 120, b. 520 or c. 1,200?
7. Gustav Holst's 'The Planets Suite' comes next. Name the planets included in his opus?
5. Edward Elgar's 'Enigma Variations (including Nimrod)' is the last in this round. When and where is this played every year?
And Finally, Here Are Your Top 3
* you could use these tracks as a straightforward musical appreciation and/or relaxation session.
3. 'Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis', by Ralph Vaughan Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJRlqWMTl5o - In 1908 Ralph Vaughan Williams travelled to Paris to study orchestration with which Maurice?
2. 'The Lark Ascending', by Ralph Vaughan Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbFi85piaEg - Ralph Vaughan Williams was related to which naturalist, geologist and biologist (who was his great uncle)?
1. 'Piano Concerto No. 2', by Sergei Rachmaninov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ4Dkb2LRkc - Which 1945 movie starring Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard was this the theme for?
Here is your Spotify playlist ... https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1946ymZV2yABd7iQmbnuSM?si=1d50c75878ba4299
Round 1. Answers
297. Hubert Parry's 'Jerusalem' is sung before every meeting of which charitable organisation? - 'WOMEN'S INSTITUTE'
291. Franz Schubert's 'Ave Maria' is a prayer to which saint? - MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS
257. Richard Strauss's 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' sunrise theme was used as the theme music for which 1968 Stanley Kubrick film? - '2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY'
245. Aaron Copland's 'Fanfare For The Common Man' was adapted to become a top ten hit in 1977 for which prog rock band? - 'EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER' (* ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PLAYLIST)
243. Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence' won a BAFTA for Best Film Music for the movie of the same name. Which British singer-songwriter starred in it? - DAVID BOWIE
242. Jerome Moross's score for the 1958 epic Western movie 'The Big Country' was nominated for an Oscar. Who, pictured here, starred in the movie? - GREGORY PECK
240. Elmer Bernstein's theme for the 1963 movie 'The Great Escape' is one of the most memorable. Who, pictured here, starred as Hilts "The Cooler King"? - STEVE MCQUEEN
223. George Gershwin's 'Porgy And Bess' is regarded as one of the best ever American operas. The song 'Summertime', which comes from it, was a hit in 1957 for which Ella & Louis? - ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG
216. Ralph Vaughan Williams's 'Fantasia On Greensleeves' is next. Which Tudor king is said to have composed the original 'Greensleeves'? - HENRY V111
205. Gioachino Rossini's 'The Barber Of Seville' ('Figaro') featured in the opening titles of which 1993 movie starring Robin Williams? - 'MRS. DOUBTFIRE'
Round 2. Answers
191. John Williams's 'Hymn To The Fallen' featured in which 1998 Stephen Spielberg movie starring Tom Hanks? - 'SAVING PRIVATE RYAN'
190. James Horner's 'Braveheart' theme was written for the 1995 movie of the same name starring which Australian? - MEL GIBSON
188. Felix Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' features which piece of music that many of us might have walked up the aisle to? - 'WEDDING MARCH'
182. Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Cantata No. 147' includes which choral piece? Complete the title ... 'Jesu, Joy Of **** ********'? - 'MAN'S DESIRING'
173. John Williams's theme for the 1982 movie 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' is next. What was E.T.'s catchphrase? - "E.T. PHONE HOME"
163. Which 1970s aftershave was Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' used as the theme for? - 'OLD SPICE'
162. Barrington Pheulong's theme for 'Inspector Morse' comes next. What was Morse's Christian name? - ENDEAVOUR
158. Leo Delibes's 'Lakme Flower Duet' was used in the 1980s to advertise which airline? - 'BRITISH AIRWAYS'
149. 'The Lion King' 1994 movie included a score by Hans Zimmer and songs by Elton & Tim who? - ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE
140. Elmer Bernstein's theme for the 1960 movie 'The Magnificent Seven' is next. Which actors starred in this movie? - YUL BRYNNER, ELI WALLACH, STEVE MCQUEEN, CHARLES BRONSON, ROBERT VAUGHN, JAMES COBURN, HORST BUCHOLZ & BRAD DEXTER
Round 3. Answers
135. Ennio Morricone's theme for the 1988 movie 'Cinema Paradiso' comes next. On which Italian island was the movie set? - SICILY
126. Music from Giacomo Puccini's opera 'Turandot' includes the classic song 'Nessun Dorma'. Which 'FIFA World Cup' was it sung at by 'The Three Tenors' for & who were they? - 'ITALIA 90' / PLACIDO DOMINGO, LUCIANO PAVAROTTI & JOSE CARRERAS
111. John Barry's 'Out Of Africa' 1985 movie theme is next. Which two actors, pictured here, starred in it? - MERYL STREEP & ROBERT REDFORD
107. Ronald Binge's 'Sailing By' is played every night on BBC Radio 4's 'The Shipping Forecast'. What is your shipping area? - VARIABLE
104. Maurice Ravel's 'Bolero' was danced to by whom when they won Olympic gold at Sarajevo in 1984? - JANE TORVILL & CHRISTOPHER DEAN - link to dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNCSij0hUp8&t=1s
101. 'The Humming Chorus' from Giacomo Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' was the inspiration for the song 'Bring Him Home' from which French Revolution musical? - LES MISERABLES (* also included in playlist)
99. 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark' movie score by John Williams comes next. What was the name of the character in the movies & who played him? - INDIANA JONES / HARRISON FORD
93. 'By The Beautiful Blue Danube' by Johann Strauss is next. Which capital city of Austria sits on the river Danube? - VIENNA
86. 'The Good The Bad And The Ugly' movie score by Ennio Morricone is next. Who, pictured here, starred in the spaghetti western? - CLINT EASTWOOD
80. Ludwig Van Beethoven's 'Fifth Symphony' is last in this round. He wrote it over four years (1804-08) when what was happening to him? - HE WAS GOING DEAF
Round 4. Answers
72. The theme from the 1990 movie 'Dances With Wolves' starts this next round. Who starred as John Dunbar in the movie? - KEVIN COSTNER
70. Gioachino Rossini's 'William Tell Overture' was used as the title music for which masked here TV show? - 'THE LONE RANGER'
61. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' is next. This classical ballet features the following pice of music (complete the title) - 'Dance Of The ***** **** *****'? - 'SUGAR PLUM FAIRY'
60. Edward Elger's 'Land Of Hope And Glory' is always performed at what annual event in 'The Royal Albert Hall'? - 'LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS'
57. John Williams's 'Harry Potter' 2001 movie theme is next. What were the names of the four 'Houses' at 'Hogwart's'? - GRYFFINDOR, HUFFLEPUFF, RAVENCLAW & SLYTHERIN
53. George Frideric Handel's coronation anthem 'Zadok The Priest' has been performed at every coronation since 1711 (George 11). In which year was Queen Elizabeth 11's coronation? - 2 JUNE 1953
45. John Williams's theme for the 1993 movie 'Jurassic Park' comes next. Where did they retrieve the dino DNA from to resurrect the creatures? - MOSQUITO BLOOD PRESERVED IN AMBER
44. Handel's 'Messiah' is next. Which well known chorus does it include? - 'HALLELUJAH'
43. Hans Zimmer's score for the 2000 movie 'Gladiator' comes next. Who starred as Maximus Decimus Meridius in this movie? - RUSSELL CROWE
40. John William's theme for the 1977 movie 'Star Wars' is next. Name the characters in the picture above? - LUKE SKYWALKER, PRINCESS LEIA, CHEWBACCA, HANS SOLO & DARTH VADAR
Round 5. Answers
38. Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' is the first in this last round. Which 2000 movie saw the main character, when grown up, dance as the Swan with his father overcome with emotion watching? - 'BILLY ELLIOT'
33. Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' was composed to commemorate Russia's successful defence against French forces led by which emperor? - NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
26. Howard Shore's score for the 2001 movie 'Lord Of The Rings' comes next. Who wrote the books on which the movies were based? - J.R.R. TOLKIEN
22. George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody In Blue' is a musical portrait of which early 20th century city? - NEW YORK
21. Antonio Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' is next. Name as many winter, spring, summer or fall flowers (depending on season) as you can within a minute or two? - VARIABLE
16. Antonin Dvorak's 'Symphony No. 9 (From The New World)' served as the theme music for which 1970s advert? - 'HOVIS'
12. Ennio Morricone's score for the 1986 movie 'The Mission (including Gabriel's Oboe)' is next. Who played the part of Father Gabriel in this movie? - JEREMY IRONS
10. John Williams's haunting theme for the 1993 movie 'Schindler's List' is next. How many Jews did Oskar Schindler secretly save from the concentration camps by employing them in his factories: a. 120, b. 520 or c. 1,200? - 1,200
7. Gustav Holst's 'The Planets Suite' comes next. Name the planets included in his opus? - MARS, VENUS, MERCURY, JUPITER, SATURN, URANUS & NEPTUNE. EARTH WAS NOT INCLUDED & PLUTO WAS NOT YET DISCOVERED
5. Edward Elgar's 'Enigma Variations (including Nimrod)' is the last in this round. When and where is this played every year? - 'REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY' AT THE CENOTAPH
Final Answers
3. 'Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis', by Ralph Vaughan Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJRlqWMTl5o - In 1908 Ralph Vaughan Williams travelled to Paris to study orchestration with which Maurice? - RAVEL
2. 'The Lark Ascending', by Ralph Vaughan Williams - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbFi85piaEg - Ralph Vaughan Williams was related to which naturalist, geologist and biologist (who was his great uncle)? - CHARLES DARWIN
1. 'Piano Concerto No. 2', by Sergei Rachmaninov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ4Dkb2LRkc - Which 1945 movie starring Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard was this the theme for? - 'BRIEF ENCOUNTER'
