Over four days in January, we asked you to take over the music on ABC Classic.
Out of thousands of requests, we played the music you chose 24 hours a day.
We loved your exceptional choices, but it will be the stories you shared that we won't forget.
You told us about the music you fell in love to, the music that transports you to another time and place, and the music that reminds you of family, friends and beloved pets.
You shared the music that helped you get through 2020, and dedicated music in memory of loved ones you have lost.
Here are just some of your most moving requests. We’re not crying, you’re crying.
The music you fell in love to
Ravel’s Bolero: “I fell in love with this piece of music, classical music and my soul mate all in one night.” – Rachael, NSW
Debussy’s Clair de Lune: “An absolute favourite that touches mine and my wife's heart. We will be celebrating 25 years of marriage in September, and this piece of music just fills our hearts with joy and tenderness.” – Frank, Vic
Debussy’s Clair de Lune: “I was 16 years of age when my boyfriend introduced this beautiful music to me. I am now 90 years of age and still melt with delight every time I hear it (with nice memories of my one-time boyfriend as well).” – Audrey, SA
Music to transport you to another place
William Barton’s Birdsong at Dusk: “I was immediately transported mentally and emotionally to a beautiful place!” – Rita, Tas
Lachlan Skipworth’s Ode: “I'm a proud Western Australian as is Lachlan. I live in Bayswater beside our lovely Swan River. This wonderfully peaceful composition for piano and violin takes me back to my childhood, floating along in the river on one of dad's truck inner-tubes.” - Susanna, WA
Music that helped you through 2020
Joseph Tawadros’s Constantinople: “This has been my 'go to' music for a mood uplift and energy during lock down, and whilst working from home on my own since March 2020. I LOVE it! This lively piece gets me up and energised every time.” - Deirdre, NSW
Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals: “Having survived the 2019-20 summer bushfires, just, nearly lost our home, then there was Covid and 2020, well that was 2020!! As we enter 2021, and craving some beauty and brightness, this composition by Saint-Saens always lightens up the space you are in, wherever and whatever that may be. Also being someone passionate about the joy of animals, especially Aussie wildlife, so devastated by the fires, hearing this always lifts my spirit. Hope it does for all!” - Margaret, NSW
Klaus War's uncle Palotai Ferenc is pictured in the Artist's Corridor of the Hungarian State Opera House, top row on the ceiling, second from the left.((Supplied: Klaus War))Music connecting you to family
Carl Vine’s 'Love me sweet': “For me, this piece is associated with the late 1990s-cuddling and feeding my newborn daughter in the early hours. This music soothed both of us.” - Jill, NSW
Ann Carr Boyd’s Fandango: “I first noticed it in 1986 when I was pregnant with our second son and alone in the house as my husband was working. It was such a joy that I danced and smiled and kept cheerful and laughed and threw myself into housework, and our son grew up to be a professional musician, clarinettist, Morris dancer, folk singer and bell ringer to boot.” - Sue, Vic
Mozart’s 'Notte e giorno faticar' from Don Giovanni: “My uncle was working as a plumber in Budapest in 1948. He was working on the corridor in an apartment building and, as usual, he was singing. He heard someone coming out from an apartment two floors up. Instead of taking the elevator, this man walked down two floors, walked up to him, and tapped his shoulder.
The man said, 'excuse me, my name is Janos Ferencsik and I am the director of the Hungarian Opera. Would you come in for an audition at the Opera house at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning?'
My uncle had a beautiful bass-baritone voice and after the audition, he was appointed immediately. Unfortunately, he quit his operatic career after four years and went back to plumbing.
He has always been a great inspiration to my own musical career.” - Klaus, Qld
Music for the loved ones you have lost
Brahms String Quintet Op.111: “I'd like to request this in memory of a dear friend who died just after Christmas. We played this piece at her house several times, and I will always think of her and my fellow musicians when I play or hear it.” – Eve, NSW
Chopin’s First Piano Concerto, II Romance (Larghetto): “There are three birthdays in our family that are celebrated over this long weekend, and uniquely they are shared over three generations of women... Sadly our mother and grandmother (Ellen) passed away last year, and it is in her honour that we offer this as a suggestion in her honour and beautiful memory." – Alison, ACT
Massenet’s ‘Méditation’ from Thaïs: “I feel closer to my darling mum who sadly passed away at such a young age. We shared our birth date and after 47 years I still miss her so much! – Raewyn, Vic
Bizet’s 'Pearl Fishers Duet' [Au fond du temple saint (At the back of the holy temple)] from Les pêcheurs de perles: “My Dad and my Uncle Peter would sing this every time they got together... it was their party piece. They are both long gone but the memory of their rousing performances live on.” – Angela, SA
Dvorák’s Serenade for strings: “My father, who was a professional musician, loved this piece so much that we played it very often at home. We then played it for his funeral. I could not listen to it for many years without feeling awfully sad, but now I can again and love it, like he did.”- Rita, NSW
Music for your beloved pets
Nigel Westlake’s Penguin Ballet: “This piece reminds me of my first guinea pig, Tallulah; whenever she was excited she would popcorn (frantic running, punctuated by jumps) around her enclosure. I think about her uncommon grace and zest for life - and for endive.” – Jenny, SA
Cezary Skubiszewski’s ‘The Search’ from Red Dog: “I remember my own Red Dog, Jack, every time......bawl my eyes out whenever I hear it played.” Mark, NSW
