Austria tops 'classical Eurovision' survey

9 May 2014, 10:55 | Updated: 9 May 2014, 17:29

As Europe gears up for a weekend of Eurovision, UK audiences have chosen their top five classical countries - with Britain coming a respectable fourth.

New YouGov research commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra reveals Austria to be the best place for classical music, taking 23% of the vote thanks to its bumper crop of composers including Mozart, Strauss and Wagner.

Germany, home to Beethoven, Brahms and Bach, came second in the poll, followed by Italy in third place. The patriotic music of Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Holst clearly struck a chord with UK audiences, who voted Britain as the fourth-best classical country.

Classical music acts that took on Eurovision
 
David Whelton, Managing Director of the Philharmonia, said: "Britain fared well in the survey, probably better than we will do in Eurovision. In addition to revived interest in British composers, many respondents also based their decision on countries that put on the best festivals and did the most to promote the genre."

Turkey, who scored 'nul points' with their classically inspired Eurovision Song Contest entry in 1983, failed to register as one of the homes of classical music in the poll.