Black Sabbath: all 19 of their albums ranked, from worst to best
From genre-defining classics to cult curiosities, we rank all 19 Black Sabbath albums — the highs, lows, and heavy milestones that shaped metal’s dark legacy
These 12 iconic album covers all have stories to tell
From Abbey Road conspiracy theories to Joy Division’s mysterious pulsar lines, here are 11 classic album covers with stories as fascinating as the songs inside
Composers who died young: 12 prodigious musical talents who didn't see 40
Many composers have died very young and often, we assume, at the height of their creative powers. Jeremy Pound explores the lives of 12 composers who died before reaching their 40th birthday.
Five things to know before buying an acoustic guitar
Let us help find the best acoustic guitar for you
The night the 1960s died: the Rolling Stones' notorious Altamont debacle
The dream of peace and music ended among rancour, blood, and broken ideals at a hastily arranged rock festival in the burnt-orange dusk of 1969’s final days
Ranked: the 11 greatest rock movies of all time
Rock and cinema collided in unforgettable ways. From Beatlemania to Pink Floyd in Pompeii, these 11 films defined how rock looks and feels
The British prog rocker who burned the American flag and got banned for life
In 1969, a daring rock performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall sparked outrage, ignited political fury, and ended with a lifetime ban for its flamboyant keyboardist
What if? 9 abandoned albums that could have changed rock history
From abandoned rock operas to lost masterpieces, these 9 cancelled albums might have rewritten musical history — if only they’d made it out of the studio alive
Cutting-edge headphones 2025: the best on the market
Wendy Carlos: the trans pioneer who created Stanley Kubrick’s creepiest soundscapes
Discover the bold, brilliant world of Wendy Carlos—electronic music pioneer, innovator, and trailblazing figure in sound and identity.
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
The very rude thing that conductor Thomas Beecham once said
Great conductors have sometimes betrayed sexist attitudes when talking about their female colleagues
The saddest 'what ifs' in rock: 7 bands that missed their moment
Seven brilliant bands with unforgettable songs, tangled fates, and heartbreaking near-misses — this is the story of rock’s greatest almost-weres and the stars that never rose
Best pianist: 21 awesome magicians of the keyboard, ranked
Who was the best pianist of all time? We asked 100 leading pianists to name the performers who have brought the most magic to the keyboard
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
Culture war! When a 1960s critic dared to compare The Beatles to Mahler
Henriëtte Bosmans: the Dutch-Jewish composer who bravely confronted the Nazis in person
Amid the terrors of Nazi oppression, the Dutch-Jewish composer showed admirable fearlessness and passion, says Rebecca Franks
Alma Mahler: narcissist, adulterer... and one of music's most colourful characters
Thwarted as a composer, was Gustav Mahler's wife, Alma Mahler, really a ‘boundless narcissist’? Perhaps a troubled soul lurked beneath...
Mozart was facing charges of indecency. This was his solution
Mozart's marriage, hastily arranged, stops a visit from the Vienna police, writes Terry Blain
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
These 11 pivotal albums saved their creators from oblivion
From last-chance gambles to against-all-odds comebacks, these 12 albums pulled their creators back from the brink of rock’n’roll oblivion
Eagles albums ranked — and no, 'Hotel California' doesn't come out on top
Discover where every Eagles album ranks—from timeless classics to underrated gems—and find out which record truly soars above the rest in our definitive guide
Best Beethoven recordings of all time: 21 incredible Beethoven releases
We name the best albums and recordings every Beethoven lover needs to add to their collection
Led Zeppelin albums ranked
From raw blues to epic rock grandeur, we rank every Led Zeppelin album—studio mastery, iconic riffs, and hidden gems included. Here's how the legends stack up
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Review: Purcell – Complete Suites and Other Music for Keyboard
In her review, Kate Bolton-Porciatti believes pianist Cristian Sandrin has set the bar with his thrilling modern take on Purcell keyboard gems
Review: Moonlight Variations (Pablo Ferrández)
Cellist Pablo Ferrández serves up an appetising menu of works, perfectly played and curated, says Jo Talbot in her review
Review: For Dieter... (Benjamin Appl)
Benjamin Appl’s heartfelt and imaginative album homage to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is cherishable, says Natasha Loges in her review
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
How to choose the best turntable for your budget in 2025 – from under £200 to £135,000
The best desktop speakers 2025: turn your home office into a listening paradise
Here are the best luxury headphones on the market right now
Our audio expert Chris Haslam tests options for luxurious listening in private