Johann Sebastian Bach has been voted the nation’s favourite classical composer in a major new poll carried out for British recording industry trade body The BPI.
The German composer, whose much-loved works include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations and Mass in B Minor, bagged 13.4% of the votes in a poll of more than 3,600 classical music fans.
Bach was followed neck-and-neck by two of the most famous and influential composers of all time - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in second place, grabbing 11.3% of the vote, and Ludwig van Beethoven in third with 11.0%.
Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Decca, said, “Whilst the enduring popularity of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven appear to remain undiminished, the eclectic tastes of UK classical music buyers is illustrated by more than 30 composers getting more than 1% of the votes each. Increased access to music in the digital space will help this grow, as more consumers can sample, buy and enjoy as technology develops.”
British pianist Nick van Bloss commented, “That Bach is the most popular composer in the UK comes as no shock. His compositions stand as a key foundation in classical music - a foundation on which many built, but few ever surpassed. A composer who left us everlasting 'monuments', his music is performed at every level, by students, amateurs and professionals. His melodies find their way to TV and film soundtracks and advertising. I truly believe his music still 'speaks' to us as intensely as ever: it is relevant and of our time. Bach for my first two recordings felt natural and stand, to me, as yet another celebration of his timeless genius.”
The nation’s top 10 favourite classical composers, drawn from a total list of 54, were:
- Bach, J S 13.4%
- Mozart 11.3%
- Beethoven 11.0%
- Mahler 6.3%
- Tchaikovsky 3.6%
- Handel 3.5%
- Verdi 3.3%
- Wagner 3.3%
- Brahms 2.7%
- Puccini 2.6%
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The results were drawn from an online survey of more than 3,600 visitors to the websites of participating classical companies, including EMI, Universal, Warner, Collegium, NMC, Europadisc, Chandos, MDT, Codaex and Hyperion.
For further information on BPI, please contact:
Adam Liversage on 020 7803 1326 / 0780 1179032 or email adam.liversage@bpi.co.uk
About BPI
The BPI is the representative voice of the UK recorded music business. The BPI is a trade organisation funded by its members - which include hundreds of independent music companies and the UK’s four major record labels. The BPI’s members account for approximately 90% of all recorded music sold in the UK, and globally the UK's recorded music market is the fourth biggest.
The BPI also organises the annual BRIT Awards show as well as the Classic BRIT Awards show. The organising company, BRIT Awards Limited, is a fully owned subsidiary of the BPI. Substantial proceeds from both shows go to the BRIT Trust, the charitable arm of the BPI that has donated almost £15m to charitable causes nationwide since its foundation in 1989.