Last year’s Primary School Music Teacher of the Year winner, Mandy Thompson, reflected on what the award means to her. ❤️ This year’s Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards with ABRSM are open for nominations, with £20,000 of musical instruments to be won thanks to Viking.

And taking No.1 in the Classic FM Hall of Fame is... 'The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace' by Sir Karl Jenkins! 🎉🥇 This is the first time in 3 years that Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 has been dethroned, and the first time in the chart's history that a living composer has taken No.1.

Who will be No.1? 🫣 Vaughan Williams' 'Lark Ascending' and Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 take the next two spots in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026. Rachmaninov's work has enjoyed three consecutive years at the top of the chart. Listen here: www.globalplayer.com/live/classic...

It's a non-mover for the Tallis Fantasia as, once more, it lands at No.4. The No.1 reveal is just minutes away. Listen on @globalplayer or ask your smart speaker to 'Play Classic FM' to find out the Top 3 in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

And we're into the top 5! 😳 Listen as we count down the final section of the chart for 2026, on @globalplayer or ask your smart speaker to 'Play Classic FM'. 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm

You SHALL pass! 🧙‍♂️ It's a record year for Howard Shore and his 2001 film score with a rise of five places - its highest ever position in the chart. This is the highest-placed film score in 31 years of the chart. 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm

Knocked out of orbit! 🪐 Holst's 'The Planets' drops out of the Top 10 for the first time since 2020. 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm

Arvo Pärt's 'Spiegel im Spiegel' comes in at No.23, its highest ever position in the Classic FM Hall of Fame. 🪞 Join us across the Easter weekend as we count down your Top 300 in four days of glorious classical music: www.globalplayer.com/live/classic...

'Jack Frost' is Debbie Wiseman's sixth entry into the Classic FM Hall of Fame, a record number for our composer in residence. ❄️ 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm

Are you not entertained?! ⚔️ The score to the 2000 film 'Gladiator' marks Zimmer's highest-performing piece in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026. 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm

Having re-entered the Classic FM Hall of Fame last year, Alexis Ffrench's 'Bluebird' is one of 2026's highest climbers, rising 127 places to its highest-ever position. 🐦‍⬛ 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm

Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony rises three places in the Classic FM Hall of Fame, to No.91. 🎵 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm Listen here: www.globalplayer.com/live/classic...

Nobuo Uematsu’s music for the ‘Final Fantasy’ series is the first of three video game scores in the 2026 Classic FM Hall of Fame. 🗡️ Join us across the Easter weekend as we count down your Top 300 in the world’s biggest annual chart of classical music. Ask your smart speaker to ‘Play Classic FM’.

Joe Hisaishi, best known for his Studio Ghibli scores, makes his Classic FM Hall of Fame debut with his music for ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’. 🏰 📻 The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 | Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, 9am-9pm Listen here: www.globalplayer.com/live/classic...

Voting in the Classic FM 2026 Hall of Fame closes at midnight on Sunday! 🗳️ Make sure to have your say in which piece secures the No1. spot by casting your vote here: clssicfm.co/HOF26

Pianist Alice Sara Ott and operatic mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina are set to perform at Classic FM Live! 🥳 They join operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee, violinist Nemanja Radulović, and guitarist Rosie Bennet on the line-up of star soloists. 🎟️: clssicfm.co/classicfmliv...

Need reminding of your classical favourites? You can now find a playlist dedicated to Hall of Fame on Classic FM's YouTube channel: clssicfm.co/4aaqXdt

The Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026 is officially open for voting! 🎶 What's the greatest piece of classical music ever written? Tell us your three favourites as we put together the world's biggest classical music chart. Vote now: clssicfm.co/HOF26

Pet Classics is back with a special extended edition, to help calm pets during the New Year’s Eve fireworks. 🐾 Join us together with Go.Compare for a soothing musical sanctuary in the company of Katie Breathwick and Karthi Gnanasegaram on Classic FM. Listen on 31 December, 6pm to 1am.

Classic FM Live at 25 airs tonight! 🥳🎶 Watch it at 9pm on Sky Arts, available to everyone on Freeview channel 36. 📺

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas soundtrack this year, just ask your smart speaker to “play Classic FM.” Is there a special piece you’d love to hear on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Ask your speaker to “send a comment to Classic FM” to share your request with Anne-Marie Minhall. 🎄❤️

Ruin a Christmas carol by changing one letter. We'll go first: Gabriel's Massage.

Over five centuries since its founding, King’s College, Cambridge is introducing its first all-female choral ensemble. Read more here: clssicfm.co/4s3pxJO

Have you got a piece – maybe a carol! – you’d love to hear on Christmas Eve? 🎄 Send us your request, and tell us why it matters to you. You might even be invited to call in to share your story on air. wa.me/3457491812

Tickets for Classic FM Live with Viking in April 2026 are now available! 🎄 Get yours here: clssicfm.co/classicfmliv...

Tickets for Classic FM Live with Viking in April 2026 are now available! 🎄 Get yours here: clssicfm.co/classicfmliv...

Classic FM Live with Viking is back for 2026! 🥳 Join us on Monday 20 April at the Royal Albert Hall for a celebration of the greatest classical music. Tickets go on sale on Friday at 10am via the Royal Albert Hall’s website. Find out more: clssicfm.co/classicfmliv...

Tonight’s the night! 💫 Earlier this year at Battersea Arts Centre, five leading young classical musicians were joined by the 12 Ensemble for a showcase of classical music hosted by Julian Lloyd Webber. Watch Classic FM’s Rising Stars with Julian Lloyd Webber on Sky Arts at 9pm tonight. 📺

We hope you enjoyed #PetClassics! ❤️ DanTDM is up next with some soothing video game music, or you can listen to our Pet Classics playlist here: clssicfm.co/Pets

Glad you're enjoying the music, Lily. ❤️ #PetClassics

Hope you have a relaxing night, Lucy! ❤️

Pet Classics is back tonight! Charlotte Hawkins is here from 5pm with the most relaxing music to keep your pets calm during the fireworks. ❤️🐾 Listen on @globalplayer.com or ask your smart speaker to ‘Play Classic FM’.

Enjoy, Quinn and Six! ❤️

Hi Lily! Glad you could find a moment of calm. ❤️🐾

Dan Walker and Charlotte Hawkins discuss all things Pet Classics, our special radio show to keep pets calm during the fireworks on Bonfire Night (5 Nov) and the following Saturday (8 Nov). @dailymail.co.uk #ad clssicfm.co/3JESM4e

Apply to be Classic FM's new Deputy Managing Editor! This is a rare and exciting chance to play a key role in shaping the output, management and strategy of a successful, vibrant, and hugely popular national radio station. careers.global.com/jobs/R0008957

Pet Classics is back for the 2025 fireworks season! 🐾 Dan Walker and Charlotte Hawkins will keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs of Bonfire Night, with two shows of relaxing music. 📻 Pet Classics | 5pm–9pm on Wednesday 5 and Saturday 8 November. clssicfm.co/4753wRi

Lise Cristiani was the first professional female cellist known to perform publicly, at a time when it was considered unacceptable for women to play the cello. 🎻 Read more: clssicfm.co/48o6oLo

A teaser trailer for the new ‘Amadeus’ TV series starring Will Sharpe as Mozart and Paul Bettany as Salieri has just been released. 🎥 Watch it here: clssicfm.co/4q8AOrr

What's the piece that peps you up? 💪

AI has revealed that a painting dismissed as a copy is in fact a genuine Caravaggio. 🖼️ clssicfm.co/3VIfGdx

Alexander Loxton, a ballet dancer who once starred in Billy Elliot, is suing the Met Police for ruining his dance dreams when a police officer stamped on his foot. clssicfm.co/3VGKrQc

Musician’s instrument collection worth over €800,000 stolen from apartment. 🎻 Read more: clssicfm.co/4mqu9Wp

Happy 67th birthday to Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli! ❤️

Israeli conductor Ilan Volkov has been arrested while protesting near the Israel-Gaza border. Read more: clssicfm.co/4gx5aPS

Maria Callas on her devotion to music. ❤️

A talented little mushroom! 🍄 Standing just 5'1" and with a rather plump figure, Franz Schubert’s small stature earned the affectionate nickname. In the Austrian and Bavarian dialects of German, Schwamm means ‘mushroom,’ and the ending ‘-erl’ makes it a diminutive.

Happy birthday to French music teacher, conductor, and composer Nadia Boulanger! She taught many of the leading composers and musicians of the 20th century, including Aaron Copland and Philip Glass. 🎈

Rest in Peace, Robert Redford. ❤️

Fancy an afternoon tea with Aled Jones? 🫖 Classic FM’s Big Charity Auction is your chance to enjoy some unforgettable experiences with your favourite presenters and musicians, all while supporting a great cause. clssicfm.co/3VkxI5A