UK’s favourite piece of classical music revealed – The Telegraph

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2 crowned Classic FM Hall of Fame winner for third year running
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The UK’s favourite piece of classical music has been revealed.
Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2 has been voted the nation’s favourite piece of classical music for the third consecutive year, according to the annual Classic FM Hall of Fame.
The concerto topped the poll, with 90,000 votes from members of the public, beating popular favourites such as Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 and John Williams’ theme to Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List.
The Russian-born composer finished his piano concerto in 1901 after struggling with depression, and dedicated the piece to Nikolai Dahl, his doctor. Its second movement was the inspiration behind Eric Carmen’s All By Myself , which was sung by Celine Dion in 1996 and used in the 2001 film Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Sir Karl Jenkins, the Welsh composer, came second with The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace – his highest ranking in the chart. The piece came in at number four last year.
The song was originally dedicated to victims of the Kosovo war, and Sir Karl said: “I’m honoured and humbled that The Armed Man has reached its highest ever position in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2025, particularly as I look at all the great masters, past and present, that sit on this list with me.
“With 2025 marking the 25th anniversary of The Armed Man, I’m delighted that this piece has found resonance globally with so many of you over the years. 
“I regret to say that there has been no let-up in war and conflict since I dedicated the piece to the victims of Kosovo, but we continue to make music in remembrance of those who have fallen, and in the hope that humanity can find a way to heal.”
Schindler’s List was the highest ranking film score this year, coming in at number 11, two places ahead of Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings. The soundtracks for Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Harry Potter also featured in the Hall of Fame but failed to make the top 20.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart remains the nation’s most popular composer, with over 13 entries, followed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who overtook Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach.
There were a growing number of entries from modern composers this year, including Ludovico Einaudi, the Italian pianist, with five entries.
The results were announced by Dan Walker, the presenter of Classic FM Breakfast, who said: “Every year, the Classic FM Hall Of Fame provides a fascinating insight into the nation’s favourite classical music and how those music tastes are changing, and this year – the 30th Hall Of Fame – is no exception.
“It is wonderful that Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No 2 tops the poll once again – cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece, which appeals across the generations.
“It’s also exciting to see the growing popularity of film music, with 37 entries this year, and increased recognition for modern and living composers. Names like Ludovico Einaudi, Phamie Gow, and, of course, the legendary Sir Karl Jenkins are climbing up the chart, showcasing how classical music keeps evolving at the same time as honouring the greats.”
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