20 Years of the Hall of Fame with Nick Bailey

Friday 28 August - Monday 31 August, 9pm.

As the very first presenter to be heard on Classic FM, all the way back in September 1992, Nick Bailey has been a part of every Classic FM Hall of Fame countdown since the chart’s inception in 1996. He's therefore perfectly placed to host this four-part special series, in which he takes a look at how the nation’s classical music tastes have changed and evolved over the last 20 years. 

LISTEN AGAIN: Episode One (broadcast Friday 28 August, 9pm) >

LISTEN AGAIN: Episode Two (broadcast Saturday 29 August, 9pm >

It's all part of the Ultimate Classic FM Hall of Fame which is taking place over this weekend.

Over four shows, Nick shared some of the stories, the surprises and the celebrations from the world’s biggest classical music countdown – which, since 1996, has attracted just under 3 million votes. 

We’ll discover why the very first Number 1 took everyone by surprise; why Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending was by no means an instant hit; and how new music by the likes of Karl Jenkins and Ludovico Einaudi became hugely popular. 

Plus – the story of how the inclusion of video game music resulted in controversy and debate, and led to a surge in listening to Classic FM among younger people.