'Lord of the Rings' Soundtrack Reigns Supreme in Classic FM's Movie Music Hall of Fame

Howard Shore's spellbinding score for Peter Jackson's epic film franchise has been crowned the nation's favourite film soundtrack for the second year running in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame.

The music of Middle-earth triumphed over stiff competition from John Williams and Hans Zimmer, securing its top spot after over 10,000 votes were cast in the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2024.

Since the premiere of *The Fellowship of the Ring

in 2001, Jackson's film adaptations of Tolkien's fantastical tales have captivated audiences, in no small part due to Shore's evocative and intricate musical world-building.

The full Top 100 can be found on the Classic FM website, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic scores that have resonated with listeners across the decades.

Howard Shore's victory was announced by Jonathan Ross on Classic FM, marking the culmination of a day filled with beloved film music. In second and third place were John Williams' iconic scores for *Schindler's List

and *Star Wars*, respectively. Williams dominated the chart with 12 entries in total, including six within the Top 20 alone.

Vangelis' groundbreaking score for *Chariots of Fire

soared up the rankings, securing a place in the Top 10, a fitting accomplishment in an Olympic year.

Responding to the news, Shore expressed his delight: "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 Classic FM at the Movies, added: "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 complete Top 20 for the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2024 is as follows:

1. *The Lord of the Rings

– Howard Shore

2. *Schindler's List

– John Williams

3. *Star Wars

– John Williams

4. *Gladiator

– Hans Zimmer

5. *Dances with Wolves

– John Barry

6. *Out of Africa

– John Barry

7. *Jurassic Park

– John Williams

8. *The Mission

– Ennio Morricone

9. *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

– Ennio Morricone

10. *Chariots of Fire

– Vangelis

11. *Harry Potter

– John Williams

12. *Doctor Zhivago

– Maurice Jarre

13. *Wilde

– Debbie Wiseman

14. *Pirates of the Caribbean

– Klaus Badelt

15. *The Godfather

– Nino Rota

16. *Interstellar

– Hans Zimmer

17. *Indiana Jones

– John Williams

18. *Ladies in Lavender

– Nigel Hess

19. *Saving Private Ryan

– John Williams

20. *Titanic

– James Horner

The full Top 100 can be found on the Classic FM website, and the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame 2024 can be listened to on Global Player via Catch-Up.