Classic FM playlist, 12 May 2026

Last Updated on May 25, 2026

By the numbers

230 pieces aired on Classic FM on 12 May 2026, captured live as each track changed.

Most-played composers

Plays by presenter

Classic FM Playlist: 12 May 2026

Classic FM’s playlist for 12 May 2026 offered a diverse selection of classical music, ranging from well-known masterpieces to lesser-heard gems. The day began with Sergei Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Opus 43, followed by Amy Beach’s Peace I leave with you and Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei Opus 47. The 230 pieces broadcast throughout the day showcased a broad spectrum of eras and styles, ensuring there was something for every listener.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the most-played composer, with 13 of his works featured, including his Piano Concerto No.20 and Clarinet Quintet in A major. Ludwig van Beethoven and John Barry also had a significant presence, with 7 and 6 pieces respectively. Antonin Dvorak, with 5 pieces, rounded out the top five most-played composers, with his Cello Concerto in B minor Opus 104 and Song to the Moon both making an appearance. The day concluded with Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen Opus 15 (7), Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song, and Antonin Dvorak’s Song to the Moon.

The running order provided a balanced mix of familiar and less common works, weaving together different moods and tempos. Listeners would have experienced a journey through various musical landscapes, from the grand orchestral sounds of Gustav Holst’s The Planets to the more intimate melodies of Frederic Chopin’s Nocturnes. The consistent inclusion of popular film scores, such as those by John Barry and John Williams, also added a contemporary flavour to the traditional classical programming.

The full playlist

1. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Opus 43 (18), Sergei Rachmaninov
2. Peace I leave with you, Amy Beach
3. Kol Nidrei Opus 47, Max Bruch
4. Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor (2), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
5. Sinfonia for Strings No.5 in B-flat major (2), Felix Mendelssohn
6. Oboe Concerto in D minor (2), Alessandro Marcello
7. Piano Concerto No.5 in Eb major Opus 73 (2), Ludwig van Beethoven
8. My Father's Favourite, Patrick Doyle
9. O Quam Gloriosum, Tomas Luis de Victoria
10. Suite Bergamasque (4), Claude Debussy
11. Can't Help Falling In Love, Elvis Presley
12. Thais – meditation, Jules Massenet
13. The Beyondness Of Things, John Barry
14. Cello Concerto in B minor Opus 104 (1), Antonin Dvorak
15. 5 Bagatelles Opus 23 (2), Gerald Finzi
16. Intermezzo in Bb minor Opus 117 No.2, Johannes Brahms
17. Nocturne in Bb minor Opus 9 No.1, Frederic Chopin
18. Moscow-Cheryomushki Suite (2), Dmitri Shostakovich
19. Titanic – An Ocean of Memories, James Horner
20. Carnival of the Animals (13), Camille Saint-Saens
21. Horn Concerto No.2 in Eb major (3), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
22. Symphony No.5 in E minor Opus 64 (2), Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
23. Impromptu in Gb major D.899 No.3 Opus 90, Franz Schubert
24. Violin Concerto in E major RV.271 (1), Antonio Vivaldi
25. Fanfare For The Common Man, Aaron Copland
26. Carmen – Habanera, Georges Bizet
27. Serenade in E minor for Strings Opus 20 (1), Edward Elgar
28. La Calinda, Frederick Delius
29. Baron Hop Suite No.2 – Air, Alexander Voormolen
30. Piano Concerto in A minor Opus 16 (1), Edvard Grieg
31. Band of Brothers, Michael Kamen
32. Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis, Ralph Vaughan Williams
33. The Moon, William Lloyd Webber
34. La Traviata – Prelude to Act I, Giuseppe Verdi
35. Tango Opus 165 No.2, Isaac Albeniz
36. Clarinet Quintet in A major (2), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
37. Farewell, Eunike Tanzil
38. A Conversation Symphony for 2 Orchestras (2), John Marsh
39. Symphony No.3 in Eb major Opus 55 (1), Ludwig van Beethoven
40. Hanaq pachap kusikuynin, Anon
41. Concierto de Aranjuez (2), Joaquin Rodrigo
42. Fantaisie-Impromptu in C# minor Opus 66, Frederic Chopin
43. The Planets Opus 32 (2), Gustav Holst
44. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – Main Theme, Ennio Morricone
45. Habanera, Emmanuel Chabrier
46. Eliza's Aria, Elena Kats-Chernin
47. Returning Home, John Barry
48. Florida Suite (2), Frederick Delius
49. Piano Concerto No.2 in F major Opus 102 (2), Dmitri Shostakovich
50. Mors et Vita – Judex, Charles Gounod
51. Songs of the Auvergne – Bailero, Joseph Canteloube
52. Piano Concerto in A minor Opus 16 (2), Edvard Grieg
53. Melodie Opus 42 No.3, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
54. Clarinet Concerto No.1 in F minor Opus 73 (2), Carl Maria von Weber
55. Preludes Book 1 (8), Claude Debussy
56. Sylvia – Pizzicati, Leo Delibes
57. String Quintet in E major Opus 13 No.5 – Minuet, Luigi Boccherini
58. Andantino, Georges Enescu
59. Piano Sonata No.16 in C major (1), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
60. Braveheart – A Gift of a Thistle, James Horner
61. Cavalleria Rusticana – Intermezzo, Pietro Mascagni
62. On Wings of Song Opus 34 No.2, Felix Mendelssohn
63. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte, Maurice Ravel
64. Sailing By, Ronald Binge
65. Simple Gifts', Aaron Copland
66. Gone with the Wind – Tara's Theme, Max Steiner
67. Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia, Aram Khachaturian
68. Downton Abbey – Main Theme, John Lunn
69. Wachet auf' (4), Johann Sebastian Bach
70. Finlandia Opus 26, Jean Sibelius
71. Tutto e Bellissimo, Alberto Giurioli
72. Romance, Anon
73. Springtime Suite (2), Eric Coates
74. Variations on a theme of Haydn – Theme, Johannes Brahms
75. Cello Concerto in Bb major RV.423 (3), Antonio Vivaldi
76. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (1), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
77. You Only Live Twice – Main Theme, John Barry
78. Sobre las olas, Juventino P Rosas
79. Le Onde, Ludovico Einaudi
80. Carissima, Edward Elgar
81. Four Seasons Opus 8 – Concerto No.1 (Spring) (Recomposed) (1), Antonio Vivaldi / Max Richter
82. Wedding Day at Troldhaugen Opus 65 No.6, Edvard Grieg
83. Organ Concerto in F major HWV.293 (4), George Frideric Handel
84. Spitfire Prelude & Fugue, William Walton
85. Jazz Suite No.2 (6), Dmitri Shostakovich
86. Cello Suite No.1 in G major (1), Johann Sebastian Bach
87. Pearl Fishers – Duet, Georges Bizet
88. Piano Concerto No.1 in Bb minor Opus 23 (1), Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
89. The Ashokan Farewell, Jay Ungar
90. The Watermill, Ronald Binge
91. Adiemus, Karl Jenkins
92. Symphony No.7 in A major Opus 92 (4), Ludwig van Beethoven
93. Piano Concerto No.21 in C major (2), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
94. Dusk, Cecil Armstrong Gibbs
95. Pavane opus 50, Gabriel Faure
96. Four Seasons Opus 8 – Concerto No.1 (Spring) (3), Antonio Vivaldi
97. Slavonic Dance in C minor Opus 46 No.7, Antonin Dvorak
98. Libertango, Astor Piazzolla
99. Scenes de Ballet – Introduction, Alexander Glazunov
100. Coppelia – Mazurka, Leo Delibes
101. Piano Concerto No.3 in E minor (3), Felix Mendelssohn
102. Star Wars – Main Theme, John Williams
103. The Planets Opus 32 (4), Gustav Holst
104. Concerto in C major for 2 Oboes Opus 9 No.9 (3), Tomaso Albinoni
105. Academic Festival Overture Opus 80, Johannes Brahms
106. Out of Africa – Main Title, John Barry
107. Symphony No.5 in Bb major D.485 (4), Franz Schubert
108. Keyboard Concerto in Eb major Opus 7 No.5 (3), Johann Christian Bach
109. Jerusalem, Hubert Parry
110. Spring Opus 22a No.5, Josef Suk
111. Invitation to the Dance Opus 65, Carl Maria von Weber
112. Water Music Suite No.2 in D major (2), George Frideric Handel
113. Mass in C minor – Gloria in excelsis, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
114. Symphony No.5 in Eb major Opus 82 (3), Jean Sibelius
115. Adagio for Strings, Samuel Barber
116. El Noi de la mare, Anon
117. Summer in February – Lamorna, Benjamin Wallfisch
118. Nocturne in Eb major Opus 9 No.2, Frederic Chopin
119. Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor Opus 26 (2), Max Bruch
120. Symphony No.5 in C minor Opus 67 (1), Ludwig van Beethoven
121. Carmen – Act III En'tracte, Georges Bizet
122. La La Land – Mia & Sebastian's Theme, Justin Hurwitz
123. Symphony No.9 in E minor Opus 95 (1), Antonin Dvorak
124. Ave Maria., Giulio Caccini
125. Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis, Ralph Vaughan Williams
126. Keyboard Concerto in F major Hob.XVIII:3 (3), Joseph Haydn
127. Canon in D major, Johann Pachelbel
128. Bluebird, Alexis Ffrench
129. The Princesses' Round Dance, Igor Stravinsky
130. Romeo & Juliet – Introduction, Sergei Prokofiev
131. Requiem K.626 – Lacrimosa, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
132. Rustle of Spring, Christian Sinding
133. Symphony No.8 in B minor D.759 (1), Franz Schubert
134. Swan Lake – Waltz, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
135. 7 Spanish Popular Songs (4), Manuel de Falla
136. Symphony No.1 in C major Opus 21 (3), Ludwig van Beethoven
137. Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major BWV.1068 (2), Johann Sebastian Bach
138. Gnossienne No.5, Erik Satie
139. A Midsummer Night's Dream – Nocturne, Felix Mendelssohn
140. La Nuit Americaine – Main Theme, Georges Delerue
141. Cavatina, Stanley Myers
142. E lucevan le stelle', Giacomo Puccini
143. Piano Concerto in Bb major (2), Emilie Mayer
144. Voices of Spring Opus 410, Johann Strauss (II)
145. Music for the Royal Fireworks (5), George Frideric Handel
146. The Bartered Bride – Overture, Bedrich Smetana
147. Symphony No.40 in G minor (1), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
148. The Last Rose of Summer, Traditional
149. Salut d'Amour Opus 12, Edward Elgar
150. Dance of the Sylphs, Hector Berlioz
151. Symphony No.3 in F major Opus 90 (3), Johannes Brahms
152. The Sound Of Silence, Paul Simon
153. Ratatouille – Main Theme, Michael Giacchino
154. Piano Concerto No.2 in F major Opus 102 (2), Dmitri Shostakovich
155. Requiem Opus 48 – Agnus Dei, Gabriel Faure
156. Cello Concerto in A major (3), Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
157. Romeo & Juliet – Dance of the Knights, Sergei Prokofiev
158. Symphony No.94 in G major (2), Joseph Haydn
159. Egmont Overture Opus 84, Ludwig van Beethoven
160. Deep River, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
161. Dances with Wolves – John Dunbar Theme, John Barry
162. Guitar Concerto in D major RV.93 (1), Antonio Vivaldi
163. Carmen – Aragonaise, Georges Bizet
164. English Suite (7), Hubert Parry
165. Va pensiero', Giuseppe Verdi
166. Howl's Moving Castle – Merry-Go-Round of Life, Joe Hisaishi
167. Polonaise Brillante No.1 in D major Opus 4, Henryk Wieniawski
168. Clarinet Concerto in A major (2), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
169. The Harmonious Blacksmith, George Frideric Handel
170. Schindler's List – Main Theme, John Williams
171. Swan Lake – Scene (Act II), Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky
172. The Merry Widow – Overture, Franz Lehar
173. Fanfare For The Common Man, Aaron Copland
174. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves – Overture, Michael Kamen
175. Prelude in Db major Opus 28 No.15, Frederic Chopin
176. American Suite (1), William Grant Still
177. Cello Concerto in E minor Opus 85 (3), Edward Elgar
178. Concierto de Aranjuez (2), Joaquin Rodrigo
179. Barcarolle, Jacques Offenbach
180. Little Suite (2), Trevor Duncan
181. Farewell, Eunike Tanzil
182. Captain Corelli's Mandolin – Pelagia's Song, Stephen Warbeck
183. Keyboard Concerto in F minor (2), Johann Sebastian Bach
184. Ave Maria One, Rihards Dubra
185. Piano Sonata No.14 in C# minor Opus 27 (1), Ludwig van Beethoven
186. Edgar – Prelude to Act 1, Giacomo Puccini
187. Ladies in Lavender – Main Theme, Nigel Hess
188. Etude No.22 in B minor Opus 35, Fernando Sor
189. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (4), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
190. Out of Africa – Main Theme, John Barry
191. Scheherazade Opus 35 (3), Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov
192. Prelude Op.18, Cesar Franck
193. Romeo & Juliet – Love Theme, Nino Rota
194. Adagio in G minor, Tomaso Albinoni
195. A Downland Suite – Minuet, John Ireland
196. Impromptu in Eb major D.899 No.2 Opus 90, Franz Schubert
197. Hymn To The Fallen, John Williams
198. The Phantom of the Opera – Music of the Night, Andrew Lloyd Webber
199. Cantique de Jean Racine Opus 11, Gabriel Faure
200. In the Steppes of Central Asia, Alexander Borodin
201. Beauty, Sofiane Pamart
202. Etude Opus 76 No.2, Jean Sibelius
203. Orchestral Suite No.1 in C major BWV.1066 (7), Johann Sebastian Bach
204. Serenade, Edward Elgar
205. Peer Gynt Suite No.1 (3), Edvard Grieg
206. Suffolk Suite (1), Doreen Carwithen
207. Flute Concerto No.1 in G major (2), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
208. Discovery at Night, Ludovico Einaudi
209. Serenade for Strings Opus 22 (1), Antonin Dvorak
210. Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune, Claude Debussy
211. Pie Jesu, John Brunning
212. Song without words in D major Opus 109, Felix Mendelssohn
213. Noah, Riopy
214. Rosa Mundi, Paul Lewis
215. Toy Story 2 – When She Loved Me, Randy Newman
216. Bring Him Home, Claude-Michel Schonberg
217. O Waly Waly', John Rutter
218. The Godfather – Love Theme, Nino Rota
219. Valse Fantasie Opus 49, Raoul Koczalski
220. 5 Bagatelles Opus 23 (3), Gerald Finzi
221. The Theory of Everything – Forces of Attraction, Johann Johannsson
222. Piano Concerto No.19 in F major (2), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
223. Evita – Don't Cry for me Argentina, Andrew Lloyd Webber
224. Concerto Grosso in B minor Opus 6 No.12 (3), George Frideric Handel
225. Suddenly, Alexis Ffrench
226. Sylvia – Valse Lente, Leo Delibes
227. Fantasia on Greensleeves, Ralph Vaughan Williams
228. Kinderszenen Opus 15 (7), Robert Schumann
229. Earth Song, Frank Ticheli
230. Song to the Moon, Antonin Dvorak