The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace Becomes Britain’s Favourite Classical Music
The composition The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace by Sir Karl Jenkins has been voted the nation’s favourite piece of classical music. This achievement marks a significant milestone as the work topped the annual Classic FM Hall of Fame poll, with nearly 90,000 votes cast by the public. Sir Karl Jenkins became the first living composer to achieve this honor.
The piece, which premiered in 2000, is dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo War. It highlights the terror and tragedy of conflict while emphasizing themes of peace and hope for the future. This powerful message resonated with audiences, allowing it to dethrone Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, which had held the top position for three consecutive years.
Sir Karl expressed his deep gratitude for the recognition, stating:
“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. I am taken aback when I reflect on the great masters, past and present, that sit below me on this list.”
He also emphasized the importance of his music in introducing new listeners to classical composers. Sir Karl reflected on the premiere of the piece at the first-ever Classic FM concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2000. He noted that the work has continued to resonate globally for 25 years.
While he acknowledged the ongoing presence of war and conflict since its dedication to the victims of Kosovo, he remains committed to using music as a means of remembrance and healing.
Sir Karl Jenkins was second in the hall of fame last year and fourth in 2024. The Rachmaninov concerto took second place, followed by Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending in third. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis was fourth, with Elgar’s Enigma Variations rounding out the top five.
In addition to classical works, more than 40 entries in the top 200 were from cinema. Howard Shore’s The Lord Of The Rings soundtrack was the most popular film score, ranking eighth overall. John Williams remained the most popular living composer, with seven pieces in the chart. His scores for Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter were ranked 53rd, 55th, and 80th respectively.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the most popular composer of all time, with 12 entries in total. Classic FM presenter Dan Walker praised the growing influence of classical music, stating:
“As the world’s biggest classical music chart, the Classic FM Hall of Fame celebrates the very best classical music, chosen by the public. This year’s results show how much the world continues to grow and change. Huge congratulations to Sir Karl Jenkins for achieving 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.”
Walker also highlighted the increasing presence of film scores in the rankings, noting that this year features more film scores than ever before. He praised composers like John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Rachel Portman for helping to bring new audiences to classical music.
Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 Top 20
- Jenkins – The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
- Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No.2
- Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending
- Vaughan Williams – Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis
- Elgar – Enigma Variations
- Allegri – Miserere
- Beethoven – Piano Concerto No.5 (Emperor)
- Shore – The Lord of the Rings
- Shostakovich – Piano Concerto No.2
- Beethoven – Symphony No.9 (Choral)
- Holst – The Planets
- Beethoven – Symphony No.6 (Pastoral)
- Williams – Schindler’s List
- Mozart – Requiem
- Ungar – The Ashokan Farewell
- Morricone – The Mission (includes Gabriel’s Oboe)
- Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
- Barber – Adagio for Strings
- Tin – The Lost Birds (includes Flocks A Mile Wide)
- Richter – On the Nature of Daylight
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