Howard Shore’s score to The Lord of the Rings trilogy has taken the top slot in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame for a second consecutive year.
The top 100 pieces of film music were played on Classic FM across Bank Holiday Monday, with the number one revealed by Jonathan Ross just before 7pm. More than 10,000 votes were cast by the public.
Howard Shore’s score beat movie music rival John Williams, who was pipped into second and third place with his seminal themes for Schindler’s List and Star Wars respectively.
However, John Williams remains the favourite composer of film music, with six entries in the top 20, including Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Indiana Jones and Saving Private Ryan.
Howard Shore commented on the news: “I’m proud and delighted to have maintained my crown at the top of the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame. Thank you so much to the many Classic FM listeners who voted. I’m very happy that film fans are still connecting to my music and the journey to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.”
Jonathan Ross, presenter of the twice weekly Classic FM at the Movies, revealed the number one on air, and said: “The Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame is one of my favourite days of the year, celebrating the very best film scores from across the decades.
“Howard Shore’s incredible music is so integral to The Lord of the Rings films, bringing to life the beautiful, spectacular stories. I’m thrilled to see his music sticking in the hearts – and ears – of Classic FM listeners.”
The Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2024 – top 20:
- The Lord of the Rings– Howard Shore
- Schindler’s List –John Williams
- Star Wars– John Williams
- Gladiator –Hans Zimmer
- Dances with Wolves– John Barry
- Out of Africa –John Barry
- Jurassic Park –John Williams
- The Mission –Ennio Morricone
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly– Ennio Morricone
- Chariots of Fire –Vangelis
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone –John Williams
- Doctor Zhivago –Maurice Jarre
- Wilde– Debbie Wiseman
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl– Klaus Bedelt
- The Godfather– Nino Rota
- Interstellar –Hans Zimmer
- Indiana Jones –John Williams
- Ladies in Lavender –Nigel Hess
- Saving Private Ryan –John Williams
- Titanic –James Horner
The full Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame is available to view or to listen to on Global Player.