Mozart tops "chart"

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

London (Reuters): A concerto by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the most popular classical piece of music amongst Britons, according to a poll by radio station Classic FM released today. The Austrian-born composer's Clarinet Concerto in A major topped the broadcaster's annual survey, knocking Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto Number 2 into second spot after five years at the head of the chart.

Mozart, with 24, also had the most entries in the Top 300 this year, the 250th anniversary of his birth.

Elgar was the most popular British composer, polling nine entries, one more than Vaughan Williams, whose ''The Lark Ascending'' came in at third place overall.

The Armed Man -- A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins, in 10th, was the highest ranked work by a living composer.