When Paul McCartney ventured into classical music in the early 1990s, it raised more than a few eyebrows.
A global pop icon and one of the most successful songwriters of all time, McCartney was synonymous with melodic brilliance—but not necessarily with symphonic form, operatic structure, or choral grandeur. Yet, rather than treat classical music as a vanity project, McCartney approached it with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to grow as a composer.
Unlike some of his rock peers, who dabbled in orchestral textures for dramatic flair, McCartney dove headfirst into the language of classical music. He studied scores, worked alongside seasoned composers and conductors, and embraced the rigours of writing extended works without the familiar support of verse-chorus structure or a rhythm section. The result has been a series of ambitious, heartfelt, and occasionally uneven works that offer a fascinating window into his evolving creative world.
These compositions, spanning oratorios, orchestral poems, and ballet scores, reflect McCartney’s lifelong love of melody, his openness to collaboration, and his instinct for emotional storytelling. They also reveal the challenges of crossing genres: critical reception has ranged from respectful admiration to polite dismissal. But whether deeply personal (Ecce Cor Meum), narrative-driven (Liverpool Oratorio), or abstract and meditative (Standing Stone), McCartney’s classical pieces show an artist unafraid to explore new terrain—even decades into an already legendary career.
Here's a ranking of Paul McCartney’s five major classical works, evaluated not only on technical execution but also on emotional impact, originality, and their place in the broader arc of his musical legacy.
5. Working Classical (1999)
Less a standalone classical composition than a hybrid project, Working Classical features orchestral and chamber arrangements of McCartney’s existing pop songs (like 'My Love' and 'Junk') alongside a few original instrumental pieces. While beautifully arranged and warmly performed, it leans heavily on McCartney’s pop legacy rather than offering much new in the classical realm. It’s pleasant and charming, but less essential than his more adventurous works.
Best Arrangement: Wings's 'My Love' (1973) gains added poignancy through strings alone.
4. Ocean’s Kingdom (2011)
Written for the New York City Ballet, Ocean’s Kingdom is McCartney’s first ballet score—and perhaps his least compelling classical work. The music accompanies a love story between underwater and terrestrial realms, but the score is more atmospheric than memorable.
While orchestrally lush, it lacks the thematic strength and emotional depth of his earlier efforts. It functions well as stage music, but without the visuals, it tends to drift. Admirable in intention, but lacking the punch or nuance of his better classical pieces.
Best movement: 'Hall of Dance' brings a welcome burst of energy and contrast to the otherwise gentle and often ambient score.
3. Liverpool Oratorio (1991)
Co-composed with Carl Davis, Liverpool Oratorio was McCartney’s classical debut, commissioned for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s 150th anniversary. Spanning eight movements and loosely autobiographical, it follows the life of a character named Shanty, from school days to fatherhood.
The piece is full of charm and big-hearted melodies, but it also leans heavily on Davis’s formal expertise. Some critics noted its uneven pacing and moments of sentimentality, but the orchestration and choral writing show genuine care. It’s a bold first step, though arguably safer and more theatrical than later works.
Highlight: The final movement’s affirmation of life and family feels authentic and heartfelt.
2. Standing Stone (1997)
An ambitious symphonic poem, Standing Stone marked McCartney’s first major foray into writing an extended orchestral score from scratch—no pop arrangements, no preexisting material. The work is abstract and meditative, inspired by Celtic mythology and ancient standing stones. Though occasionally meandering and reliant on repetitive motifs, it reveals a surprising grasp of orchestral color and development.
The London Symphony Orchestra performs with elegance, and the structure—unfolding in four movements—feels genuinely symphonic. While not without its longueurs, it’s an impressive effort that shows McCartney pushing his own boundaries.
Best moment: The dramatic swell of the second movement, suggesting storm and ritual.
1. Ecce Cor Meum (2006)
Paul McCartney’s most emotionally resonant and artistically accomplished classical work, Ecce Cor Meum (Latin for 'Behold My Heart') is a choral and orchestral meditation on love, loss, and spiritual reflection. Written over nearly eight years, much of it was composed following the death of his wife, Linda.
The result is a deeply personal, lyrical piece with movements that feel both intimate and reverent. While not groundbreaking in form, it’s sincere and affecting, with melodic lines that reflect McCartney’s signature style without seeming out of place in the classical world. Its emotional clarity and restraint make it his most successful synthesis of pop sensibility and classical structure.
Standout movement: 'Interlude (Lament)' – a moving, understated tribute.
