Is genius overrated? Why genius composers need ordinary 'second-rankers' in order to thrive
The ability to recognise creative genius is of fundamental value when it comes to composers sharing their music with the world, argues columnist Richard Morrison
Just why are choristers' voices so beautiful? Science has the answer
Why are choir boys and girls' singing voices so tuneful? Scientists explain just what makes choristers' voices so special and distinctive
'O Christmas Tree' lyrics: how does the much-loved festive carol go?
Here are the lyrics to the favourite Christmas carol 'O Christmas Tree'
'12 Days of Christmas' lyrics: how does the much-loved carol go?
Here are the English lyrics to the famous Christmas song, 'The 12 Days of Christmas'
Ada Lovelace: the visionary who imagined computers composing music two centuries ahead of her time
The 19th-century mathematician and musician Ada Lovelace was the first to spot computers’ creative potential. David De Roure tells her intriguing story and explores her legacy
From nightclubs to condoms - weird and wonderful opera advertising campaigns
For centuries, promoters have advertised opera in weird and wonderful ways. Alexandra Wilson takes a look at some of the more memorable campaigns
Music can unlock cherished memories - and even help treat dementia. Here's how
Dr Catherine Loveday examines the deep-rooted connections that link music and memory - and how we negotiate our social and emotional lives
The black icon, the First Lady, and the concert that changed America
When Marian Anderson took to the stage in 1939 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, she had the full support of the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who had taken up her cause after Anderson was rejected from a concert hall because of a racist policy
Best American composers: 16 composers who changed the course of American music
Daniel Jaffé explores the lives and works of the USA's greatest ever composers
'There's no such thing as silence': What is the point of John Cage's 4'33"?
How composer John Cage bemused, intrigued and (in some cases) angered New York with the sound of his silent new composition, 4'33"
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
Van Cliburn: the American pianist who triumphed in Russia at the Cold War's chilliest moment
American pianist Van Cliburn caused a major shock in Moscow, at the height of the Cold War, when he won the Tchaikovsky competition in 1958
How do you find the right teacher at music college?
Cellist Seth Parker Woods shares his wisdom on how to choose the best music teacher
Otto Klemperer: he fled the Nazis, suffered mental illness - and was one of the great conductors
For many, conductor Otto Klemperer will be remembered as the steady and reliable champion of classic repertoire, but in his youth the German was a dashing advocate of the new, writes Andrew Green
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
These seven composers endured miserable love lives - but forged sublime music from them
When it comes to love, the great composers are, frankly, pretty much like the rest of us: hopeless. Here are six composers who endured terrible love lives
The great JS Bach was thrown in jail in 1717. Here's what happened
A desire to change jobs caused Bach to spend almost four weeks in prison. Here we explain more...
Charles-Valentin Alkan: the child prodigy who lived as a hermit and influenced Chopin, Liszt and Ravel
A performer who became a hermit, Charles-Valentin Alkan wrote the most demanding piano works in history, says Malcolm Hayes
Best Austrian composers: 11 great musical figures from Austria
Daniel Jaffé explores the lives and works of Austria's greatest ever composers
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
Handel's Messiah: the best recordings of this festive choral masterpiece
We name the best recordings of of Handel’s Messiah, a choral masterpiece that should have everyone shouting Hallelujah!
Bach for beginners: 12 great recordings to unlock the Baroque master's magical music
Pianist George Lepauw introduces us to his essential Bach listening
Gaspard de la nuit: inside Ravel’s famously haunting piano cycle
Rebecca Franks explores the twilight world of Ravel’s haunting and nightmarish cycle, Gaspard de la nuit, and finds the best recording of this virtuosic work
Mozart Sinfonia Concertante: lively, sorrowful, utterly beautiful. A guide to this extraordinary work and its best recordings
A guide to Mozart's lively, sorrowful and beautiful work for violin, viola and orchestra, and some of the best recorded versions available
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Yuletide Treats (Duo Pleyel) (Review)
In his review, Michael Church gets a warm glow from Duo Pleyel’s festive selection of four-hand piano arrangements
Schumann – Viola (Maxim Rysanov) (Review)
In her review, Jessica Duchen enjoys these expressive Schumann performances by Maxim Rysanov, Julian Bliss and Dasol Kim
Žibuoklė Martinaitytė: Aletheia etc (Review)
Composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė’s is a distinctive voice, says Christopher Dingle in his review of this potent and powerful set of new works
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
How to get the most from your Spotify subscription
Our expert Chris Haslam gives valuable advice on getting the very best from your Spotify subscription as a classical music listener
Has streaming damaged our knowledge of classical music?
Why hasn't the vinyl revival touched the classical music market?
Vinyl has made a huge comeback in popular music. Cellist Leonard Elschenbroich reveals why classical musicians should get on board