Rachmaninov tops classical poll

Brief Encounter used Rachmaninov's music

The music used in classic romance film Brief Encounter is still the UK's favourite piece of classical music, according to a new survey.

Rachmaninov's piano concerto No 2 in C minor topped a poll of listeners to radio station Classic FM for the second year in a row.

It was followed by Bruch's violin concerto No 1 in G minor, which had been number one since the list was launched in 1996 until 2000.

The soundtrack to the Harry Potter film by John Williams was the highest new entry, at 81 in the list of 300 classical works that made up the Classic FM Hall Of Fame.

 Click here to read the top 20 on the Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2002

It beat The Lord Of The Rings soundtrack by Howard Shore, which won an Oscar for best score and came in at number 131.

Celine Dion's hit All By Myself was based on Rachmaninov

"The Harry Potter and The Lord of The Rings soundtracks have been huge hits with kids," Classic FM's managing editor Darren Henley said.

"These blockbuster films are turning a new generation to classical music."

The Rachmaninov piece was also used in the Marilyn Monroe film The Seven Year Itch, and was the basis for the hit single All By Myself by Eric Carmen, which was covered by Celine Dion in 1996.

Mozart had the most entries on the list, claiming 22 of the 300 places.

UK composers Vaughan Williams and Elgar were at numbers three and four respectively.

Elgar was the most prolific UK composer, with 10 entries on the list.

More than 250,000 listeners voted in the poll, and all 300 pieces were broadcast on the station over Easter.

The top 20 on the Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2002

1. Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto no 2 in C minor
2. Bruch - Violin Concerto no 1 in G minor
3. Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending
4. Elgar - Cello Concerto in E minor
5. Mozart - Clarinet Concerto in A
6. Beethoven - Piano Concerto no 5 in Eb (The Emperor)
7. Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis
8. Beethoven - Symphony no 6 (Pastoral)
9. Elgar - Enigma Variations
10. Barber - Adagio for Strings
11. Beethoven - Symphony no 9 Choral Ode to Joy
12. Saint-Saens - Symphony no 3 Organ
13. Ungar - The Ashokan Farewell
14. Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor
15. Pachelbel - Canon in D
16. Bizet - Au fond du temple saint
17. Rachmaninov - Symphony no 2 in E minor
18. Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana
19. Dvorak - Symphony no 9 in E minor (New World)
20. Holst - The Planets Suite