Condoleeza Rice's favorite music

The Ten Best Musical works - chosen by Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State (From The Independent, and a special issue edited by Bono, published: 16 May 2006)


1 Mozart
Piano Concerto in D minor

At the age of 15, Rice began piano classes - although she has played since she was three - with the intention of becoming a concert pianist. This concerto holds many memories for her: "I won my first piano competition at the age of 15, playing this work."

2 Cream
'Sunshine of Your Love'

I love to work out to this song," says Rice. "Believe it or not, I loved acid rock in college - and I still do."

3 Aretha Franklin
'Respect'

"The Queen of Soul's anthem", in Rice's opinion. Aretha Franklin is best known for her soul and R&B music, but is also skilled at jazz, rock, blues, pop, gospel and opera.

4 Kool and the Gang
'Celebration'

Rice loves this upbeat track, saying: "It's just such a great song."

5 Brahms
Piano Concerto No 2

This is considered one of the most difficult piano works to learn, but Rice isn't fazed. "It's a stormy, difficult piece, but I'm going to learn to play it before I leave this earth!"

6 Brahms
Piano Quintet in F minor

This piece by Johannes Brahms is "passionate without being sentimental", Rice says. The work, composed in 1864, is the piece she most loves to play with her quintet.

7 U2
Anything

Rice, a big fan, is happy to listen to any of their tunes.

8 Elton John
'Rocket Man'

"It brings back memories of college, friends, my first boyfriend."

9 Beethoven
Symphony No 7

"Quite simply the greatest symphony of all time," is how Rice describes Beethoven's Seventh.

10 Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov

"The greatest opera of all time," Rice says. "If you love Russia, you have to love Godunov."
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