Brahms' Piano Concerto No 2 clocked in at number five on her list; followed by Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor in fifth place; Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 at number nine, and Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov at number ten.

Rice intends to learn the Brahms concerto, saying, "It's a stormy, difficult piece, but I'm going to learn to play it before I leave this earth!" Rice calls the Brahms Quintet, which she performs with her quintet, "passionate without being sentimental."

The secretary of state also likes Cream's Sunshine Of Your Love,, Aretha Franklin's Respect, and Elton John's Rocket Man.