Sir Karl Jenkins makes history as The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace tops the world’s biggest classical music chart for the first time

 Also:

  • Film music is at an all-time high, with a record 40 entries
  • Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings is the number one film score
  • Highest ever number of entries by living composers
  • Mozart is the most popular composer of all time

For the first time ever, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by legendary Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins has been voted number one in the Classic FM Hall of Fame, the world’s biggest annual chart of classical music.

Premiered in 2000 and dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo War, Jenkins’ work remains a powerful and timely piece that highlights the terror and tragedy of war. Against the backdrop of current world events, its message remains strikingly relevant, underscoring enduring themes of peace and hope for the future.

Almost 90,000 votes were cast by the public in this year’s chart, with the Top 300 pieces of music played on Classic FM across the Easter weekend. The brand-new number one was revealed by presenter Dan Walker just before 9pm on Monday (6th April). The full Classic FM Hall of Fame is now available to view and to listen via catch-up on Global Player– the official Classic FM app.

Sir Karl Jenkins hits the top spot after climbing to number two last year, and number four in 2024. In total, he has five pieces in this year’s chart, confirming his widespread popularity, including Adiemus (number 66), Palladio (82), Gloria (191) and Requiem (300).

“I am deeply honoured to learn that The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, has been voted Britain’s favourite piece of classical music in the 2026 Classic FM Hall of Fame.

To become the first living composer to reach the number one position is profoundly humbling and gratifying, and to some degree, I am taken aback, when I reflect on the great masters, past and present, that sit below me on this list. I cherish the fact that via my music, I have introduced many new devotees to the great composers of the genre. As the cliche says, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before.

As I look back with great fondness to the premiere in 2000 at the first ever Classic FM concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, I’m delighted that this piece has found resonance globally for twenty-five years.

While it is with regret that I acknowledge that there has been no let-up in war and conflict since I dedicated the piece to the victims of Kosovo, we continue to make music in remembrance of those who have fallen and in the hope that humanity can find a way to heal.”
Sir Karl Jenkins

Film music celebrates record results this year, with 40 entries in total – the highest ever. Howard Shore’s epic The Lord of the Rings retakes the crown as the most popular film soundtrack, at number eight. This is the highest position for any film score in the Classic FM Hall of Fame, which launched in 1996, and has overtaken John Williams’ powerful Schindler’s List (number 13). With seven pieces in the chart, Williams retains his place as the most popular living composer. His iconic film soundtracks include Star Wars (53), Jurassic Park (55) and Harry Potter (80). Elsewhere, the original score to Hamnet by Max Richter appears in the chart for the first time (281), alongside On the Nature of Daylight, which also features in the film, at number 20.

The 2026 Classic FM chart features a record number of 65 entries by living composers, reflecting the growing popularity of new classical music. Debbie Wiseman OBE has six entries, with five each for Hans Zimmer – whose epic score to Gladiator is at number 39 – and Ludovico Einaudi. Other composers include Joe Hisaishi, Rachel Portman and Alexis Ffrench, all helping to attract a new generation of listeners.

Mozart retains his crown as the most popular composer of all time, with 12 entries in total, followed by Tchaikovsky with 11. Beethoven and Bach both have 10 entries this year.

“As the world’s biggest classical music chart, the Classic FM Hall of Fame celebrates the very best classical music, chosen by the public, and this year’s results show just how much that world continues to grow and change.

Huge congratulations to the outstanding Sir Karl Jenkins as we celebrate a brand-new number one with The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace – it resonates with so many people and is one of those pieces which grabs your soul and won’t let go.

It’s exciting that this year’s Hall of Fame features more film scores than ever before and we have never had so much music from living composers. From John Williams and Hans Zimmer to Rachel Portman, it’s wonderful to see how film music is opening the door for new audiences and helping even more people fall in love with classical music.”
Classic FM presenter Dan Walker

Classic FM is available across the UK on Global Player, DAB+ digital radio and TV, 100-102 FM and ClassicFM.com.