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
Five things to know before buying an acoustic guitar
Let us help find the best acoustic guitar for you
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.
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
The very rude thing that conductor Thomas Beecham once said
Great conductors have sometimes betrayed sexist attitudes when talking about their female colleagues
This five-minute classical work will help you achieve mindfulness
Here are a selection of pieces, from Hildegard von Bingen to Debussy, that will aid your serenity and mindfulness and put you in the perfect zone for meditation
Culture war! When a 1960s critic dared to compare The Beatles to Mahler
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
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
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
Bachs to Von Trapps: music's 10 greatest dynasties
Jeremy Pound ponders nurture, nature and ancestral trees as he admires the collective talents of history’s most musical families
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
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
John Cage: the composer whose most famous work didn't make a sound
Nick Shave explores the nuts and bolts of an avant gardist whose creative genius goes well
beyond his famous 4'33" of not-quite-silence
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
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
50 years of 'A Night at the Opera': how Queen rewrote rock's rulebook
Exploding with invention, defiance, and flamboyant charm, Queen’s A Night at the Opera remains a dazzling milestone—where glam met grandeur and rock became theatre
Rush albums ranked: all 19 studio LPs, from worst to best
From hard rock roots to progressive masterpieces, Rush’s studio albums chart a thrilling journey of evolution and brilliance. We've ranked 'em all
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