Results of world’s biggest annual poll of classical music tastes revealed…
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 is the nation’s favourite piece of classical music, according to the new Classic FM Hall of Fame, the world’s largest annual poll of classical music tastes.
Almost 90,000 votes were cast by the public in this year’s chart – which marks the 30th Classic FM Hall of Fame – with the top 300 pieces of classical music played on Classic FM across the Easter weekend. The new number one was revealed by presenter Dan Walker just before 9pm on Monday (21st April). The full Classic FM Hall of Fame is now available to view and to listen via catch-up on Global Player – the official Classic FM app.
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 continues to capture the heart of the public, as it takes the top spot for the third year in a row, and the eleventh time overall. Written more than a century ago, it is one of the most enduring pieces in the piano repertoire, frequently performed by renowned pianists around the world.
The legendary Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins has enjoyed his highest ever place in the chart with The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace taking second place. The work remains a powerful and timely piece that highlights the terror and tragedy of war, and finishes with hope and peace for the future, which remains as relevant today. The piece premiered 25 years ago at the Royal Albert Hall, broadcast on Classic FM, and was performed by the National Youth Choir with Julian Lloyd Webber as cello soloist.
“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 look back with great fondness to the premiere in 2000 at the first ever Classic FM Live concert, and 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.” – Sir Karl Jenkins
In the 30th Classic FM Hall of Fame, Sir Karl is the most popular living British composer with a total of four entries – an accolade he shares with Debbie Wiseman, who also has four pieces in the top 300. Out of the top five pieces in the countdown, four are from UK composers – showcasing the popularity of home-grown music and composers.
The number one film score is John Williams’ emotional soundtrack to Schindler’s List, at number 11. This follows the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz earlier this year, and the poignant score continues to serve as a powerful musical reminder of the Holocaust. Williams, the composer behind iconic movie themes such as Jurassic Park (number 52), Star Wars (53), and Harry Potter (79), remains the most popular living composer, with seven entries.
Hans Zimmer, who wrote Gladiator (44) and Interstellar (170) has five entries, while Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings is up thirteen places to number 13. There are 37 film scores in this year’s Classic FM Hall of Fame, including three in the top 20. Last year, Classic FM launched a brand-new radio station dedicated to the world’s greatest film music – Classic FM Movies – in addition to its two weekly programmes, on Friday and Saturday – Classic FM at the Movies with Jonathan Ross.
Alongside film music writers, 2025 has also been a great year for other modern composers, with 29 living composers featured in the chart contributing 54 entries, up from 50 last year. Ludovico Einaudi, whose popularity with younger audiences continues to soar, with those aged 16-34 making up more than a third of his listenership, has five pieces in the new Classic FM Hall of Fame; Alberto Giurioli has had his best ever year with three pieces in the top 300, and Koji Kondo is one of three video game music composers to make the chart.
Mozart retains his crown as the nation’s most popular composer, with 13 entries in total, followed by Tchaikovsky with 11, overtaking Beethoven and Bach who both have 10 entries this year.
“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 Rachmaninov’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.” – Dan Walker, Classic FM presenter
Classic FM is available across the UK on 100-102 FM, DAB+ digital radio and TV, on Global Player and ClassicFM.com.
