A survey carried out by Reader's Digest has revealed that most Britons know very little about classical music. One third of the 1,516 participants drew a complete blank about classical music, claiming never to have heard any.

Elgar's recent stint on the nation's banknotes appears done him little good. 75% of respondents could not link him with Land of Hope and Glory, and 27% did not even know he was a composer.

4% were thrown by a trick question; identifying Bocconcini as a composer, when it is in fact a type of Italian cheese ball.

In terms of owning recordings, the Welsh fared better than most, with 72% claiming to own a classical CD against a national average of 59%. A generation gap was also detected, with older people far more likely to listen to classical music than younger.

Worryingly for those involved in classical music, the results of the survey have been interpreted as resulting from poor music education and perceived elitism. On a more positive note, Gill Hudson, editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest, said that the survey demonstrated a clear appetite among Britons for classical music.

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