ABC listeners are invited to nominate the top ten pieces “that make their world stand still.”

ABC Classic FM have announced this year’s theme for the annual Classic 100 countdown, and it’s inspired by one of the station’s longest running and most popular segments: Swoon. During a special show from Brisbane, Classic Breakfast presenter Julian Day, alongside Swoon presenter Christopher Lawrence, announced the theme of this year’s annual classical music survey, calling for ABC Classic FM listeners to share the top ten pieces “that make their world stand still,” during this initial nominations stage.

Swoon first appeared more than twenty years ago as a segment on ABC Classic FM’s Breakfast programme. The huge popularity of the of the segment led ABC to release a Swoon CD, which went on to become the highest selling classical CD in Australia of all time. The aesthetic of Swoon was described by Lawrence as “a little parcel of rapture,” featuring music across multiple genres including instrumental works, opera, medieval chant and also a substantial amount of Australian contemporary music.

Classic FM listeners have until the April 24 to nominate works they believe should be included in the voting shortlist. The 100 pieces selected will be announced on May 4, and Swoon fans will have until May 11 to vote for their favourite tracks. The Classic 100 countdown rankings will then be broadcast between June 6 – 8.

Here at Limelight, we’ve put our heads together and selected our top five Swoon inspired tracks:

Nominations for the Classic 100: Swoon are now open on the ABC Classic FM website.