Billboard's First Classical Compact Discs Chart (1985)

Beginning with the June 1, 1985 issue, Billboard magazine began charting Compact Disc sales "compiled from a national sample of retail sales reports." Two CD charts were presented in each issue, one for pop and another for classical.

 Here's a look at that very first classical CD chart:

Complete CD chart data is available at albumcharts.wordpress.com

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The final classical CD chart appeared in the September 12, 1987 issue. The chart lasted a total of 120 weeks. One CD was listed on all classic CD charts throughout the 2+ year run, the 2 CD soundtrack to the Academy Award-winning movie, Amadeus.

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Only 6 CDs held the top spot during the 120 week run of the chart:

Bernstein: West Side Story
25 weeks
June 1 - November 16, 1985

Amadeus Soundtrack
32 weeks
November 23, 1985 - June 28, 1986

Bachbusters by Don Dorsey
14 weeks
July 5 - October 4, 1986

Down to the Moon by Andreas Vollenweider
8 weeks
October 11 - November 29, 1986

Horowitz in Moscow by Vladimir Horowitz
40 weeks
December 6, 1986 - September 5, 1987

Carnaval by Wynton Marsalis
1 week
September 12, 1987