'Schindler's List' tops poll of favourite movie scores of all time

John Williams' score for Stephen Spielberg's Schindler's List has topped a poll of the nation's favourite movie music.

The Oscar-winning composition was deemed the most important from 21,000 votes cast by readers of the Radio Times and listeners of Classic FM.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to the listeners of Classic FM for selecting my music from Schindler’s List for this high honour,” said Williams.

“It was a privilege to be involved in the making of this film, and it’s very gratifying to know that so many people around the world continue to embrace it after nearly 30 years.”

Andrew Collins, Classic FM presenter and the Radio Times' film editor, added: “We have found your favourite film theme and it's as moving and mournful as any winner. Williams doubted he could pull it off. He was wrong.”

Violinist Itzhak Perlman performed Williams' haunting main theme, with Williams winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1993, as well as the BAFTA and the Grammy awards.

The remainder of the top 10 features a wealth of iconic music from Hollywood, with Howard Shore's work on Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies coming in second place.

Hans Zimmer's Gladiator came in third, John Barry's Out Of Africa and Dances With Wolves coming in fourth and fifth.

Williams scores for Star Wars and Jurassic Park also feature on the list.

Here's the top 10 in full:

1. Schindler’s List – John Williams

2. The Lord Of The Rings – Howard Shore

3. Gladiator – Hans Zimmer

4. Out Of Africa – John Barry

5. Dances With Wolves – John Barry

6. The Mission – Ennio Morricone

7. Star Wars – John Williams

8. Chariots Of Fire – Vangelis

9. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – Ennio Morricone

10. Jurassic Park – John Williams