British classics in crescendo over Brexit

BRITISH classical composers are enjoying a revival in popularity amid the ongoing debate over Brexit, a survey has suggested.

An annual survey by Classic FM identified a “surge in the popularity of British classical music”, with Sir Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams reaching a record high in its annual Hall of Fame.

The commercial radio station’s study, in its 24th year, is compiled from 110,000 votes and produces a list of the 300 most popular pieces for Classic FM listeners.

Elgar appears 10 times this year, with four pieces reaching their highest places, including Enigma Variations at number three.

His Pomp and Circumstance Marches, including Land of Hope and Glory, jumped nine places to number 25.

Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending rises two places this year to regain the title of “the nation’s most popular piece of classical music”, beating Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture which reached number one for the first time last year.

Anne-marie Minhall, a Classic FM presenter, said: “There has been so much talk about what it means to be British and who we are as a nation.

“Wherever you sit on the political spectrum, how encouraging that the country has come together to celebrate some of the world’s

‘What has united us is the beauty and power of classical music’

greatest classical music … created on our shores.

“From the all-time greats including Sir Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams to contemporary composers such as Sir Karl Jenkins and Debbie Wiseman, what has united us is the beauty and power of classical music.”

The 300 pieces in the Classic FM Hall of Fame were played by the station over the recent Easter weekend.