A Classical (stylized as Classical) is an orchestral compilation album by Ayumi Hamasaki, released January 8, 2013 by Avex Trax. The album consists of classical arrangements of her past works, rearranged by Kousuke Yamashita. It was released on January 8, 2013.[1]

A Classical
A black and white sketch of Ayumi Hamasaki up close. On the lower left side is written "ayumi hamasaki", and under it "A Classical".
Compilation album by
ReleasedJanuary 8, 2013 (2013-01-08)
Recorded2000-2012 (vocals), 2012 (instrumentals)[citation needed]
GenreClassical
LabelAvex Trax
Ayumi Hamasaki chronology
Again
(2012)
A Classical
(2013)
Love Again
(2013)

The album was the third of five releases by Hamasaki in commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary of her music career. Its cover is a hand-drawn illustration of Hamasaki's Love EP cover made by a fan from Pixiv and Kaikai Kiki.[citation needed] No singles or new tracks were released to promote A Classical.

A Classical entered the Oricon album chart at number one with first-week sales of over 25,000 copies, becoming the first classical album to do so;[2] however, it went on to sell only 30,000 copies in Japan.

15th Anniversary edit

A Classical is the third of five releases by Hamasaki in celebration of her 15th anniversary in music industry. It contains 10 rearranged tracks, out of which 7 were chosen by Team Ayu members in November 2012.[citation needed]

Track listing edit

All lyrics are written by Ayumi Hamasaki

No.TitleMusicOriginal version from the albumLength
1."M"Ayumi HamasakiI Am...4:27
2."Love Song"Tetsuya KomuroLove Songs4:17
3."Seasons"D.A.IDuty4:15
4."You & Me"Tetsuya KomuroA Summer Best / Love Again5:27
5."Blue Bird"D.A.ISecret4:24
6."Days"Kunio TagoNext Level5:07
7."Voyage"Ayumi Hamasaki + D.A.IRainbow5:08
8."Song 4 U"HINATAspring, Yuta NakanoLove / Love Again3:48
9."Missing"Kazuhiro HaraLove / Love Again4:58
10."Dearest"Ayumi Hamasaki, D.A.II Am...5:26

Oricon sales chart edit

Release Chart Peak position First week sales Sales total
January 8, 2013 Oricon Daily Albums Chart 1 10,825 33,017
Oricon Weekly Albums Chart 1[3] 25,049
Oricon Monthly Albums Chart 20 31,099

References edit

  1. ^ "『A Classical』【CD】". Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  2. ^ "Ayumi Hamasaki's New Album a Classical Becomes First Classical Album to Top Oricon Chart".
  3. ^ "A Classical 浜崎あゆみのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon. Retrieved January 17, 2013.