Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
We ranked the 21 greatest German composers of all time (and he's right up there)
Germany has produced many of the greatest composers in history. We count them down (and reveal a gateway work for each)
The art of letting go – composing for another artist
Italian composer and pianist Olivia Belli shares insights on composing for other artists... and composing for herself
Six of the best: works by Gabriel Fauré
Gabriel Fauré mastered the art of quiet emotion, creating music of luminous beauty, subtle harmonies and profound, understated humanity
Miles Davis: the flawed genius who turned the jazz world upside down
Roger Thomas marks 100 years since the birth of a jazz legend by looking back at the style and personality that shaped his unique career
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
'All-conquering': inside Bach's mighty B minor Mass – and its greatest recording
The sheer variety and craftsmanship of JS Bach’s final choral masterpiece, Mass in B minor, enthral Paul Riley as he chooses the finest recordings
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
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Review: Pärt - Symphonies (Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Eva Ollikainen)
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra is wonderful in
Arvo Pärt symphonies, writes Michael Church
Review: German Opera Scenes and Arias (Malin Byström, soprano et al)
Malin Byström gives searingly dramatic
performances, writes Christopher Cook
Review: East Meets West (Anne-Sophie Mutter et al)
Anne-Sophie Mutter’s album of commissions is beautifully conceived, writes Martin Cotton
Rock music
Explore rock music
The heartbreaking story behind one of rock's most beautiful albums
David Crosby's 1971 album 'If I Could Only Remember My Name' was his masterpiece. But he had to go through a lot of pain to get there
America’s ghost venues: 15 iconic US rock rooms lost to chaos, commerce and gentrification
These are the great ghost rooms of US rock – fifteen vanished spaces where scenes were born, legends rose and history left its mark
The 11 albums that broke rock's greatest winning streaks (plus 6 we're still arguing about)
When genius finally runs dry: 11 records that ended the most astonishing hot streaks in rock history
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Why old-school wired headphones STILL sound the best
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
Music on the move: the best true wireless earbuds 2026
Chris Haslam introduces the best true wireless earbuds on the market right now
