Classic FM Hall of Fame
The Classic FM Hall of Fame is an annual compilation of the most popular 300 classical works as polled by listeners of Classic FM through a public vote. With more than 150,000 voters, each choosing their three favourites in order of preference, Classic FM claim their Hall of Fame is the world's most comprehensive poll of classical music tastes.[1]
The chart countdown is traditionally broadcast over the Easter weekend, extended by public holidays in the UK, since the event began in 1996.
The compilation is notable for featuring a wide variety of classical works. Pieces by composers such as Elgar and Beethoven feature alongside works by contemporary composers such as Karl Jenkins and Ludovico Einaudi. Movie soundtracks by John Williams, John Barry and Ennio Morricone are also regular features of the chart. And, for the first time in 2012, the chart featured two original works from video game soundtracks.
Current top twenty
The current top twenty was revealed on 2 April 2018.[2]
- 1. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture
- 2. Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2
- 3. Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
- 4. Ralph Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
- 5. Edward Elgar – Enigma Variations
- 6. Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 ('Emperor')
- 7. Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 ('Pastoral')
- 8. Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 ('Choral')
- 9. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
- 10. Gregorio Allegri – Miserere
- 11. Edward Elgar – Cello Concerto
- 12. Jean Sibelius – Finlandia
- 13. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker
- 14. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake
- 15. Gustav Holst – The Planets
- 16. Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 7
- 17. Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D
- 18. George Frideric Handel – Messiah
- 19. Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings
- 20. Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
Previous winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1996–2000 | Max Bruch – Violin Concerto No. 1 |
| 2001–2005 | Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2 |
| 2006 | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Clarinet Concerto |
| 2007–2010 | Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending |
| 2011–2013 | Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2 |
| 2014–2017 | Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending |
| 2018 | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture |
Source[3]
Criticism and controversy
The Hall of Fame has received some criticism due to the lack of variation at the top of the chart.[4] The pieces that make up the top ten have changed very little since the chart began. And, as of 2018, only five different pieces have ever held the number one position.[5][6][7][8][9]
2013 provided the most controversial Hall of Fame to date due to the prevalence of an organised voting campaign concerning video game soundtracks by UK based games promoter Mark Robins.[10] Several video game soundtracks were voted into the 2013 Hall of Fame, with the highest being Nobuo Uematsu's music for Final Fantasy at number three.[11]
References
- ↑ "Classic FM - Hall of Fame".
- ↑ "Classic FM Hall of Fame". Classic FM. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ↑ "Ultimate Classic FM Hall of Fame: the facts and figures behind the world's biggest classical music poll". Classic FM. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ↑ Sawyer, Miranda (8 April 2012). "Rewind radio: Classic FM Interview". The Guardian. London.
- ↑ "Bruch and Beatles top radio polls". BBC News. 6 April 1999.
- ↑ "Rachmaninov tops classical survey". BBC News. 28 March 2005.
- ↑ "Mozart 'UK's favourite composer'". BBC News. 18 April 2006.
- ↑ "Vaughan Williams tops radio vote". BBC News. 24 March 2008.
- ↑ Savage, Mark (3 April 2018). "1812 Overture is 'top classical piece'". BBC News. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ↑ "Final Fantasy and Skyrim beat Beethoven in Classic FM Hall of Fame". Metro. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ↑ "Classic FM Hall of Fame (retrieved 6 April 2013)". Classic FM's Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 8, 2014.