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...