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 28 March 2016.[2]
- 1. Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
- 2. Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2
- 3. Ralph Vaughan Williams – Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
- 4. Edward Elgar – Enigma Variations
- 5. Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 ('Emperor')
- 6. Gregorio Allegri – Miserere
- 7. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
- 8. Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 ('Pastoral')
- 9. Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 ('Choral')
- 10. Edward Elgar – Cello Concerto
- 11. Max Bruch – Violin Concerto No. 1
- 12. Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings
- 13. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture
- 14. Gustav Holst – The Planets
- 15. Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
- 16. Johann Pachelbel – Canon
- 17. Nobuo Uematsu – Final Fantasy Series
- 18. Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 9 in E minor (From the New World)
- 19. Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 7
- 20. Johann Sebastian Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Criticism and controversy
The Hall of Fame has received some criticism due to the lack of variation at the top of the chart.[3] The pieces that make up the top ten have changed very little since the chart began. And, as of 2015, only four different pieces have ever held the number one position.[4][5][6][7] However, it is important to realise that the Classic FM Hall of Fame is not an album sales chart, so there is no reason to expect the chart to change radically each year. The fact that the top ten has not changed very much is simply a measure that people's tastes in classical music have not changed very much.
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.[8]
References
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