Whether you love it or loath it, it would appear that EL James' erotic novel has vaulted The Tallis Scholars' recording of Thomas Tallis’ Spem In Alium to first place on the Official Classical Singles Chart.
The controversial novel has been the best selling book for nine weeks in Great Britain, and the fastest selling paperback of all time since records began, outstripping the much loved Harry Potter series. The song is name checked in 50 Shades of Grey, and as a knock on effect, sales of the song have been numbered in the thousands, featuring on romantic playlists up and down the nation.
Peter Phillips, director of The Tallis Scholars, said that he was 'thrilled that Spem In Alium has attracted such a large new audience.' Previous occupier of the top spot was the late Pavarotti, with his three week run with Nessun Dorma.
However, although 50 Shades of Grey may be responsible for this one classical success story, the Official Charts Company reported that classical music has been experiencing organic growth over the past couple of years. It reported a 46 percent growth in classical music sales in 2011 from 2010, and this trend has continued with 284,000 classical downloads in the first quarter of this year alone, a 34 percent increase on the 212,000 sold in the first three months of 2011.
The controversial novel has been the best selling book for nine weeks in Great Britain, and the fastest selling paperback of all time since records began, outstripping the much loved Harry Potter series. The song is name checked in 50 Shades of Grey, and as a knock on effect, sales of the song have been numbered in the thousands, featuring on romantic playlists up and down the nation.
Peter Phillips, director of The Tallis Scholars, said that he was 'thrilled that Spem In Alium has attracted such a large new audience.' Previous occupier of the top spot was the late Pavarotti, with his three week run with Nessun Dorma.
However, although 50 Shades of Grey may be responsible for this one classical success story, the Official Charts Company reported that classical music has been experiencing organic growth over the past couple of years. It reported a 46 percent growth in classical music sales in 2011 from 2010, and this trend has continued with 284,000 classical downloads in the first quarter of this year alone, a 34 percent increase on the 212,000 sold in the first three months of 2011.
