The Lord Of The Rings soundtrack voted nation’s favourite film music

By Press Association

August 28 2023, 7:02 pm

Composer Howard Shore’s score for The Lord Of The Rings has been voted the nation’s favourite film music in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall Of Fame 2023 (William Conran/PA)

The soundtrack to The Lord Of The Rings has been voted the nation’s favourite film music in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall Of Fame 2023.

Howard Shore’s score beat the likes of Schindler’s List, which was runner-up, and Star Wars, which came in third.

More than 10,000 votes were cast by members of the public in a poll to find the nation’s most popular piece of film music.

This coming Monday we bring you an epic day of movie music – whatever you’re up to, join us for the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2023. 🎬🎼 pic.twitter.com/luibwiTQRk
— Classic FM (@ClassicFM) August 26, 2023

The top 100 were played on Classic FM before the number one was revealed by chat show host and radio presenter Jonathan Ross at just before 7pm on Monday.

He said: “I’m so thrilled to see The Lord Of The Rings make it to number one in this incredible celebration of history’s greatest film scores in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame.

“JRR Tolkien’s adventures are beautiful, spectacular films, but the experience is so enhanced by the incredible score that I’m delighted to see Howard Shore’s music getting this much love.”

Reacting to the news, Shore said: “Many thanks to all the Classic FM listeners. I’m very happy that I was able to bring you a little closer to JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth.”

Other music in the top 20 included the soundtracks of Gladiator, Chariots Of Fire, Titanic, Pirates Of The Caribbean, and Interstellar.

What’s your all-time favourite music written for the silver screen? 🎬🍿
Whether ‘Paddington’ or ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, have your say now in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2023 before voting ends at midnight on Sunday!
👉 https://t.co/c8In78odZ9 pic.twitter.com/mBlCoRaEtu
— Classic FM (@ClassicFM) August 19, 2023

John Williams proved to be the nation’s favourite composer in the list with five entries in the top 20 alone – Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.

The first Lord Of The Rings film in the trilogy premiered in 2001 and won Oscars for visual effects, make-up, cinematography, and music for its original score.

More recently, it has enjoyed a resurgence with the launch of The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power TV series, after season one was released in 2022.

The top 20 of the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2023:

1. The Lord of the Rings – Howard Shore

2. Schindler’s List – John Williams

3. Star Wars – John Williams

4. Out of Africa – John Barry

5. Gladiator – Hans Zimmer

6. Wilde – Debbie Wiseman

7. Dances with Wolves – John Barry

8. Jurassic Park – John Williams

9. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Ennio Morricone

10. The Mission – Ennio Morricone

11. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – John Williams