Nation’s favourite piece of classical music revealed

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 voted new top choice by Classic FM listeners replacing Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending

Sergei Rachmaninoff has dethroned Ralph Vaughan Williams in a poll to find Britain’s favourite piece of classical music.

The Russian composer’s Piano Concerto No. 2, known as the haunting theme in the film Brief Encounter, was voted the nation’s new favourite by Classic FM listeners.

Rachmaninoff knocked off English composer Vaughan Williams, whose work The Lark Ascending held the top spot since 2019, to win the vote.

It coincides with the 150th anniversary of Rachmaninoff’s birth.

Newer listeners may have become familiar with Piano Concerto No. 2 from the film Crossing Rachmaninoff which was made available on Netflix UK in August last year.

Directed by Rebecca Tansley, the 2015 movie follows aspiring piano soloist Flavio Villani as he prepares Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 for his first orchestral performance.

English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams has been knocked off the top of the Classic FM poll by Sergei Rachmaninoff
English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams has been knocked off the top of the Classic FM poll by Sergei Rachmaninoff Credit: Hulton Archive

Princess Diana previously threw the concerto into the spotlight when she wowed the public with a surprise performance during a royal tour of Australia with the then Prince Charles in 1988.

The late Princess of Wales was visiting Melbourne College of Arts when she walked over to the piano and effortlessly played part of the piece, apparently without any sheet music.

Footage of the princess, sitting down at the keys wearing a striped trouser suit, went viral on social media in 2021 earning more than five million views to date.

Piano Concerto No.2 was completed by Rachmaninoff  in 1901 after he overcame a bout of depression. The work was dedicated to his neurologist, Nikolai Dahl.

It helped establish the Russian as a renowned concerto composer and it remains one of his most popular pieces. In 1918 following the Russian Revolution, he moved with his family to the US, becoming a citizen shortly before his death in 1943.

Piano Concerto No.2 has featured in several Hollywood films including Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter, 2010, Billy Wilder’s The Seven Year Itch, 1955, Charles Vidor’s Rhapsody, 1954, and William Dieterle’s September Affair, 1950.

It also features heavily in David Lean’s 1945 romantic drama Brief Encounter and Frank Borzage’s 1946 drama musical film I’ve Always Loved You.

This year’s winning piece was announced by Alexander Armstrong, the Classic FM presenter, after 96,000 votes were cast
This year’s winning piece was announced by Alexander Armstrong, the Classic FM presenter, after 96,000 votes were cast Credit: Julian Simmonds for the Telegraph

Pop music has also helped itself to the melody, with further adaptations including Frank Sinatra’s Full Moon and Empty Arms and Eric Carmen’s 1975 smash hit ‘All By Myself.’

Carmen, a classically trained pianist, had been listening to Rachmaninoff’s second concerto while working on his song and used it as the basis for the tune of his verses.

More than 96,000 votes were cast between January and March to decide this year’s winning piece of classical music, announced by Classic FM presenter Alexander Armstrong.

“Each year, the Classic FM Hall of Fame gives us a unique insight into the nation’s changing tastes in classical music - music we believe is for everyone,” he told listeners.

Record year for film music

It was also a record year for film music with 35 scores in the chart representing 12 per cent of the total music, compared to just two film entries in the first ever chart 27 years ago.

At number 10, its highest position yet, the most popular film score was John Williams’ soundtrack to Schindler’s List.

Mozart was voted the most popular composer with 15 entries in total, followed by Beethoven, Bach and Tchaikovsky, all with 11 each.

There were 10 pieces written by a total of seven female composers - the biggest number voted by the public into the top 300.

The highest placing of those was Debbie Wiseman’s Glorious Garden at 27.

Also making the list was Yoko Shimomura, primarily known for her work in video games, and Florence Price, the first African American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra in 1933.


Classic FM’s Top 10

1. Sergei Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No 2

2. Ralph Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending

3. Ralph Vaughan Williams - Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis

4. Edward Elgar - Enigma Variations

5. Karl Jenkins - The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace

6. Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Concerto No 5 (‘Emperor’)

7. Gustav Holst - The Planets Suite

8. Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No 9 (‘Choral’)

9. Gregorio Allegri - Miserere

10. John Williams - Schindler’s List

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