A Playlist from ACSO for Classical Music Month
In 1994, President Bill Clinton proclaimed September to be Classical Music Month. His proclamation said, in part, "Classical music is a celebration of artistic excellence. Great art endures through the ages, and in the United States we have embraced that great music and incorporated it into the American experience."
This year, ACSO is helping you mark the occasion!
Watch & Wonder: Violinist Joshua Bell's lively April 2025 TED talk, "300 Years of Classical Music in 18 Minutes" asks: Does the world still need classical music? What about orchestras? Spoiler: yes, and yes!
Listen & Love: Our board and staff have curated an eclectic playlist below of the classical works we can’t stop playing right now. Perfect inspiration for your own Classical Music Month soundtrack.
Celebrate with us—listen, share, and let the music play on!
ACSO's Playlist for Classical Music Month
🎶 Kevin Eberle-Noel, Board Member
Jeanne Leleu: Quartet for piano, violin, viola, and cello
"I'm obsessed with Jeanne Leleu's Quartet because the interplay between all of the instruments coupled with the intensity of the writing really energizes me."
Juan Pablo Contreras: Alma Monarca
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major
"I played the first movement (Allegro) for concerto night during my senior year of high school so it feels very personal to me, and every time I hear it I feel joy and elation with a dash of performance anxiety."
"The colors in this work are just ASTOUNDING. Corigliano is a master of color (orchestration)."
Florian Christl: Choral
"I enjoy building contemporary, mellow classical playlists. Christl's music has the vibes of Einaudi and Max Richter but strong connections to 18th century classical composers with a cool modern feel."
Claudio Monteverdi: Magnificat primo a 8 (Selva Morale e spirituale)
"The heart of this work is transformation. Coleridge-Taylor takes a simple African-descended folk melody and elevates it. He places Black cultural material on the same level as the European symphonic tradition, saying without words that these essential songs belong on the world's concert stages. The last four minutes are absolutely magical!"
"One of my favorite choral composers and choral groups together. Sacramento Master Singers is singing this with different words in December. It’s just so calming and beautiful."
Ellen Reid: Big Majestic
"Epic adaptation of her original worldwide SOUNDWALK creations. A wonderfully relaxing experience while caught in LA traffic."