Posted on 04/18/2006 10:16:11 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
Mozart 'UK's favourite composer'
Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major has been named Britain's most popular classical work in a Classic FM poll.
It is the first time the Austrian-born composer has come first in the radio station's annual Hall of Fame survey.
A spokesman for the station said it was "fitting" Mozart should lead the chart for the 250th anniversary of his birth.
Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto, as featured in the classic film Brief Encounter, had previously topped the survey for five years in a row.
Mozart has 24 entries in the Top 300, three more than his nearest rival Beethoven - three of whose works feature in the Top 10.
Elgar is the most popular British composer with nine entries, closely followed by Vaughan Williams with eight.
The surge in support for Mozart means the Classic FM Hall of Fame chart has a new number one for only the third time in its 11-year history.
Before Rachmaninov's five-year tenure, Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor held the top spot for five years.
Clarinet?! I hate clarinets.
Bach and Beethoven are too good for them.
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