Classic FM listeners have voted The Lord Of The Rings as their favourite film score in a new survey.
Howard Shore’s soundtrack for the film trilogy, comprising The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003), finished top of the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame poll counting down listeners’ 100 favourite film scores for the fourth straight year.
The trilogy’s film score finished ahead of John Williams’ theme for Schindler’s List in second place, John Barry’s Out Of Africa soundtrack in third, Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator score in fourth, and Williams’ Jurassic Park theme in fifth position.
Shore said: “I’m very honoured to learn that The Lord of the Rings score has been voted favourite by the Classic FM Movie Music Hall of Fame audience for a fourth year.
“I’m grateful to the many musicians, soloists, and singers who performed this music, which has continued to resonate with listeners for all of this time.
“I remain very proud of the work and its success, and I’m so happy I was given the opportunity to express JRR Tolkien’s world through music.”
Jonathan Ross, presenter of film music programme Classic FM At The Movies, revealed the number one on air, and said: “Howard Shore’s music for The Lord of the Rings has become the gold standard for film scores – its epic, emotional, and instantly transporting, placing you right inside the story of Middle Earth.
“It captures the scale, drama and heart of Tolkien’s world so completely that it’s no wonder Classic FM listeners have once again voted it their number one movie score of all time.
“Fittingly, 25 years after the first film’s release, Howard Shore’s work still sounds as fresh and as captivating as ever as he approaches his 80th birthday.”
Completing the top 10 of the poll, revealed on Monday, was Williams’ Star Wars soundtrack (sixth), Debbie Wiseman’s Wilde score (seventh), Barry’s music for Dances With Wolves (eighth), Ennio Morricone’s score for The Mission (ninth), and the How To Train Your Dragon music by John Powell (10th).
