Craig Ogden knocks André Rieu from No.1

The waltz king André Rieu is no longer king of the Official Classic FM Chart. After 27 consecutive weeks at number one, he has been overthrown by Craig Ogden and his album The Guitarist.

Craig Ogden’s The Guitarist, released on 5 July, is the first artist-led album by an instrumentalist on the Classic FM label. It features 20 popular tracks, ranging from Spanish guitar music to arrangements of Romantic piano classics, traditional songs and film music.

Craig Ogden’s playing has attracted comparisons with that of his mentor and fellow Australian, John Williams. He has also been praised by the great Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, whose daughter wrote to Ogden: “My father enjoyed your interpretation immensely… this recording (of Concierto de Aranjuez) has confirmed your position among the greatest guitarists.”

Craig made his Royal Albert Hall debut in a Classic FM Live concert with Concierto de Aranjuez. He has performed concertos with many of the UK’s top orchestras and worked with high-profile artists including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lesley Garrett and Joshua Bell. His playing also features on a number of film soundtracks, including Notting Hill, and in the popular murder mystery series Rosemary and Thyme.

View this week's complete chart