1968 was a traumatic year in America. These 21 albums are the sound of that trauma
Assassinations, riots, Vietnam and disillusionment: these 21 albums captured the fury, grief and uncertainty of a fractured America
World Cup TV theme tunes: the 7 most unforgettable melodies from World Cups past
The football was (mostly) unforgettable - and so was the soundtrack. We remember seven World Cup theme tunes that defined entire tournaments
Best of Mozart: 11 essential works - and the recordings you need
From glittering operas to sublime symphonies and intimate chamber pieces, here are 11 of Mozart’s greatest works—timeless masterpieces that reveal his genius in every form
Travel in tempo: a guide to travelling safely with musical instruments
From airline rules to safeguarding valuable kit, how musicians can travel with confidence – with cover for their instruments if the unexpected happens
Sex, blood and blasphemy... opera’s most shocking moments
Some opera productions really do push the boundaries of good taste, reflects Ashutosh Khandekar as he relives some of the most outrageous of all
The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide – a bold new re-imagining of Britten's popular classic
Composer Charlotte Harding introduces her new work for the National Open Youth Orchestra – the world’s first disabled-led national youth ensemble
Review: Huw Watkins: Symphony No. 2, etc (Hallé / Mark Elder)
Mark Elder and the Hallé expertly showcase
Huw Watkins’s delightful works, notes Geoff Brown
Fit for a queen: the colourful music of Marie Antoinette's court
As a lover of music, Marie Antoinette did much to promote composers and performers at her court in Versailles, explains Claire Jackson
All-in-one record players: the easy and affordable way to get into vinyl
Chris Haslam provides advice on the latest hi-fi equipment purchases
Review: Handel: Messiah (Irish Baroque Orchestra et al)
This terrific recording boasts a lively chorus
and top-rate soloists, writes Nicholas Anderson
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
Video: Timothy Ridout performs Franck's Violin Sonata arranged for viola
Piano ‘accompanists’ rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve
Agatha Christie: crime novelist and wannabe opera singer
Did legendary crime novelist Agatha Christie once harbour ambitions to become an opera singer? Andrew Green follows the clues…
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
Sophia Maria Westenholz: trailblazing 18th century pianist, singer, composer - and mother to eight children
Pianist Wu Qian tells the story of an extraordinary musician and composer who defied attitudes of the day to rise to the top of her profession
Grace Williams: the Welsh composer with steel in her soul
For long neglected outside her own nation, the Welsh composer is starting to enjoy her time in the sun again, explains Geraint Lewis
Steve Reich: the pioneering minimalist composer who brought tonality back to music
As he approaches 90, the US composer Steve Reich tells Tom Service about his pride in playing an important part in bringing tonality and pulse back to music
'Great'? These five composers are simply overrated
We invite five of our writers to reveal those whose feted talents leave them seriously underwhelmed
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
Outliers: these 21 albums sound like nothing else their bands ever made
Some albums defy expectations. From Beatles to Neil Young, these outliers reveal bands daring to experiment... and sometimes bewildering their fans
Essential Christmas albums: 10 timeless recordings to get you in the Christmas spirit
What is the perfect music to get oneself into the festive spirit? We ask ten of our writers to name the albums they couldn’t imagine Yuletide without
These are the 31 greatest classical albums to start your collection
Our round-up of the best must-have performances of classical music. Update your collection with the great symphonies, choral works, operas, chamber and instrumental works
Creedence Clearwater Revival albums ranked (the top 3 were tough)
From gritty bayou riffs to fiery protest songs, we rank Creedence’s albums, celebrating swamp-rock mastery, timeless hooks, and raw American energy
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Review: Hartmann: Esther (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Karabits et al)
Hartmann’s score pulses with moral drama and unrelenting energy, says Ashutosh Khandekar
Review: Beyond Vivaldi (Evangelina Mascardi et al)
Evangelina Mascardi is an elegant advocate for her instrument, writes Kate Bolton-Porciatti
Review: Barraine, Symphonies Nos 1 & 2, etc
Rock music
Explore rock music
We ranked the 25 greatest American rock bands of all time (we spent a lot of time on that top 5)
From garage-rock pioneers to stadium-filling legends, we rank the definitive American bands that provided the soundtrack to our lives.
Letdowns: 15 disappointing follow-ups to brilliant albums
From creative overreach to studio meltdowns, 15 follow-up albums that buckled under the crushing weight of their predecessor’s legacy
From Elvis to Nirvana: the 45 best 45s of all time
Rock's music's natural environment has always been the album, but the 7-inch single also holds a special place in the pantheon
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Music on the move: the best true wireless earbuds 2026
Chris Haslam introduces the best true wireless earbuds on the market right now
The '80s are back! The best portable cassette and CD players on the market today
Our Audio expert Chris Haslam gives his personal recommendation for buying a modern portable cassette or CD player
CDs are back! And these modern all-in-one CD players are the best way to listen to them
CDs are back! And these modern all-in-one CD players are the best way to listen to them, writes Chris Haslam
