Music scores with classical fans

Harry Potter may not be a film classic according to Oscars judges but it is a classical favourite after scoring with music fans in an annual survey.

Music from the film about the teenage wizard was the highest new entry in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame, the station’s round-up of the nation’s tastes.

John Williams’s soundtrack to the film - which failed to pick up a single Oscar - shot in at number 81 in the list.

Lord Of The Rings, which actually picked up the Oscar for best score, came in 50 places behind, with composer Howard Shore’s music placed at 131.

More than a quarter of a million people cast their votes for the annual countdown, which was topped for the second year running by Rachmaninov’s piano concerto No.2 in C minor.

The music is best known for its inclusion in the enduring romantic classic movie Brief Encounter.

Runner-up was Bruch’s violin concerto No.1 in G minor for a second year. It had topped the list for five consecutive years until Rachmaninov claimed the crown last year.

Darren Henley, managing editor of Classic FM, said: ‘‘The Harry Potter and Lord of The Rings soundtracks have been huge hits with kids. These blockbuster films are turning a new generation to classical music.’’

British composers Vaughan Williams and Elgar took third and fourth places. They also clinched places seven and nine respectively.

Mozart was the composer with most entries in the top 300 with 22 entries. Elgar is the most popular Brit with 10 entries.

Top 10:

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 E flat (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.