This was the rousing music that helped us to victory in World War 2
British composers played a vital role in lifting spirits in World War II, sometimes in unlikely ways. Rob Ainsley tells how they played their part with symphonies, film scores… and jam
Virtuosos: eight incredible musicians from classical music's past and present
The BBC Music Magazine team chooses the virtuosos from history they would love to have seen perform
The Nazis used music in dark and ingenious ways. Here's how
In wartime Germany and its occupied countries, music was a carefully controlled part of the Nazi propaganda machine, as Erik Levi explains
Five things to know before buying an acoustic guitar
Let us help find the best acoustic guitar for you
Chimpanzees 'drum like humans', scientists have discovered
Wild chimpanzees drum with rhythms strikingly similar to human music, offering fascinating new insights into our musical deep past
VE Day music: the songs that soundtracked the end of World War II in Europe
Discover the songs that lifted spirits, united nations, and soundtracked the unforgettable celebrations of VE Day, 1945
Duke Ellington: the jazz pioneer who broke all the rules
Mervyn Cooke explores a groundbreaking composer and influential bandleader who took jazz into previously untrodden territory
National pride in every note: classical music’s great patriots
Discover eight patriotic composers whose music captures national pride, resilience, and the spirit of their homelands
Beethoven's best kept secrets: 11 lesser known gems you should hear
Think you know Beethoven? Think again with our tour of 11 little known Beethoven gems, from Wellington's Victory to the Andante favori
Love songs: 11 tracks that capture the magic and mess of love
From aching ballads to euphoric anthems, these 11 timeless love songs reveal the full spectrum of romance and desire
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
Musical rule breakers: 15 artists who redefined the possible
From Callas to Cage, meet 15 fearless musicians who broke every rule in the book - and reshaped the sound of music for evermore
Which classical musicians should be the stars of Hollywood blockbusters?
Hollywood has taken an unexpected interest in classical music of late, says Tom Service – so here are some suggestions for their next blockbusting successes
Patricia Routledge: Hyacinth Bucket with the voice of an angel
Though known chiefly for her brilliant portrayal of a social climber on TV’s Keeping Up Appearances, Patricia Routledge was once also a successful mezzo, as the actress recalls with Michael White
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
Thomas Tallis: the ultimate Tudor survivor
The Tudor era was rarely a safe place to be - but its greatest composer Thomas Tallis had the guile and talent to survive its many perils
Dark harmonies: scandalous tales of great composers and syphilis
Romantic composers were passionate, sensual and untrammelled in their desires. Sadly, this meant a surge in deaths from syphilis
British composers: ranking our 25 greatest composers
We asked 167 top international musicians to vote for the best British composers of all time. Here are the results… Do you agree - and who was voted number one?
Baroque composers: 11 of the greatest musicians from a dazzling era of music
Just who were the Baroque’s finest exponents? Great names abound, but here are ten of the best Baroque composers who should be on anyone’s list…
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
Ranked: the 15 greatest folk albums of all time
From Bob Dylan to Bon Iver, here are the 15 greatest folk albums of all time, showcasing timeless storytelling, emotion, and musical mastery
Ranked: the 15 greatest prog rock albums of all time
Did King Crimson hit the prog heights for you? Or were Yes or Genesis at the top of the prog tree? We rank the 15 greatest prog albums of all time
Best albums of all time: 50 magnificent classical recordings you must hear
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
Beethoven piano sonatas: six of the best cycles
We name some of the best recordings of Beethoven's sonatas, peformed by the great and the good of the piano world
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Review: Ravel Fragments (Bertrand Chamayou)
In his review, Nicholas Kenyon enjoys Bertrand Chamayou’s vision and gripping performance in a clever tribute to Ravel
Review: Dvořák & Price – Piano Quintets (Takács Quartet)
Takács Quartet and Marc-André Hamelin are on sublime form in contrasting piano quintets by Dvořák and Florence Price, says Jan Smaczny in his review
Review: Attende domine (The Bevan Family Consort)
In her review, Alexandra Wilson finds much to enjoy in this glorious family album of beautiful music for Lent and Passiontide from the brilliant Bevans
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
These are the best Bluetooth speakers on the market 2025
Would you spend a million pounds on a hi-fi? What if it sounds like nothing you've ever experienced?
Our audio expert Chris Haslam spends a few enjoyable hours in the company of some of the most eye-wateringly capable (and expensive) hi-fi technology out there
Listening room inspiration: how you can create the ultimate music sanctuary at home
Easy chair, hi-fi, vinyl displays: here's how to furnish your own listening paradise