Stephen Moss
THE line between pop and classical music was redrawn last week with the unveiling of the first Classical Crossover Chart. Compilations dominate the new chart. Number one is Best Opera Album in the World … Ever, followed by The Greatest Classical Movie Album, and The Number One Classical Album.
The listing was introduced by Chart Information Network after pressure from artists and record companies. The exclusion from the classical charts of Marianne Faithfull’s collection of Kurt Weill songs last summer gave a fresh focus to demands for a chart for pop artists covering the classics and classical stars heading downmarket.
Catharine Pusey, chart director of Chart Information Network, said yesterday: “Over the past five or so years it’s been less and less easy to establish what is a classical record.
“The record companies, partly in response to the impact of Classic FM, have been putting out compilations and extracts from classical works and encouraging their artists to be more versatile.
“We had a classical chart that included everything from Wagner to compilations of your hundred favourite classics, and that didn’t really make sense.
“We have now split the chart into two: a repertoire-driven classical chart and a crossover chart which deals with light classics and compilations.”
It is possible to appear in both charts. When a classical superstar such as Lesley Garrett makes an operatic recording, it will be classified as classical, but her recent collection of Hollywood songs is deemed to be crossover.
* Who’s who in the world of light music
Lesley Garrett: Glamorous soprano and star of English National Opera whose collection Soprano in Hollywood is number 11 in crossover chart.
Bryn Terfel: Burly Welsh baritone. Blessed with the popular touch – he appeared at the Proms in rugby kit, and has just recorded a selection of Rodgers and Hammerstein songs.
Dawn Upshaw: American soprano who can also bash out Broadway standards with aplomb.
Vanessa-Mae: Young violinist unashamedly marketed on sex appeal. Current record, The Classical Album I, appears in the classical chart, but expect her to become a fixture in nebulous world of crossover.
Nigel Kennedy: Punk violinist who likes to dip into pop and jazz. No record for now, but crossover could almost have been invented for him.
Jose Carreras: The short one of the Three Tenors, he has featured in the US crossover chart duetting with Natalie Cole on A Celebration of Christmas.
John Williams: Classical guitarist who could claim to be original crossover artist through participation in late and unlamented supergroup Sky. In the new chart with film tunes collection.
Elvis Costello: Pop artist who collaborates with Brodsky quartet. Bit of a prima donna and would be very cross to be called crossover.