Beethoven, Two to One

What is the most popular classical music? Eight years ago Manhattan's radio station WQXR (which plays no jazz) polled its listeners, found Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 the favorites. Listeners now think less of Tchaikovsky's dog-eared concerto, but Beethoven is more popular than ever.

Last week, in another WQXR sampling of its 4,600 listener "advisory committee," the favorite symphonies were: Beethoven No. 5, Beethoven No. 9, Brahms No. 1, Tchaikovsky No. 6, Beethoven No. 3, Franck D Minor, Beethoven No. 6, Beethoven No. 7, Brahms No. 4 and Tchaikovsky No. 5.

The favorite concertos: Beethoven Piano No. 5, Beethoven Violin, Rachmaninoff Piano No. 2, Mendelssohn Violin, Grieg Piano, Tchaikovsky Piano No. 1, Beethoven Piano No. 4, Brahms Violin, Brahms Piano No. 2, Paganini Violin.

Only U.S. composer to make the list: Gershwin, in 30th place.

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