Musical prodigies: ten childhood marvels, and the parenting tactics behind their success
Just how pushy were the mothers and fathers of some of our greatest composers? And for better or worse? Sarah Urwin Jones weighs up the evidence
Buried treasure: 12 timeless masterpieces you've probably never heard
From Amy Beach to Hector Berlioz, here are 12 unjustly neglected masterpieces that are crying out to regain their place in the repertoire
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
Five things to know before buying an acoustic guitar
Let us help find the best acoustic guitar for you
Ever felt bored in a concert? Don't worry, you're not alone... and science can explain why
We rarely admit it, but our minds often wander in classical concerts. Why are we so easily distracted, asks Ariane Todes, and how can we learn to engage?
Lust, greed, corruption: why Wagner's Ring Cycle will always be the greatest show on earth
Whether simply a tale of demigods, dwarves and dragons or a deeply symbolic work, Wagner’s Ring cycle has had a profound impact on both arts and politics. Terry Blain tells its story - and considers its legacy
Bored of practice? Here’s how to love playing again in just 100 days
Amateur violinist Ariane Todes reveals how, after losing the will to practise during the pandemic,
she was inspired by Hilary Hahn on social media
to reconnect with her beloved four-stringed friend
From jazz piano in cocktail bars to starring in Wicked: Jeff Goldblum's musical memories
These 11 musical works were way ahead of their time
These 11 radical masterpieces bent time, broke rules, and changed the future of music forever
Radio 3 announces 2025-2027 New Generation Artists
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
How to supercharge your memory - four musical experts share their top tips
When performing by heart, how do musicians remember all those notes? Four top artists explain their recommended methods
'Miraculous'. 'Evil'. People had a *lot* to say about this legendary conductor
Many revered him, others were perplexed by or even envious of his success. Here's the controversy of Herbert von Karajan in ten quotes
Death at the keyboard: a pianist's final, fatal performance at Carnegie Hall
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
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…
Alkan: the lost prodigy who shaped Chopin and Ravel
A performer who became a hermit, Charles-Valentin Alkan wrote the most demanding piano works in history, says Malcolm Hayes
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
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
The Planets: a world-by-world guide to Holst's cosmic work
We bring you the best recordings of each movement of Holst's The Planets
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