Steve Wright
Recent articles by Steve Wright
Queen: their 21 greatest songs, ranked
From operatic epics to hard rock anthems, we rank Queen’s 21 greatest songs—celebrating their bold invention, theatrical flair, and timeless musical brilliance.
Relaxing music for cats: 10 serene pieces guaranteed to soothe your feline friend
Discover 10 soothing musical pieces scientifically proven to relax and comfort cats, perfect for creating a peaceful, stress-free environment for your feline friend
Genesis albums ranked: all 15 of the legendary band's LPs, from worst to best
We rank every Genesis studio album, from their early prog masterpieces to the stadium filling pop-rock of the 1980s
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Passion and power: how the Romantic era changed classical music forever
Passionate and emotional, the Romantic era reshaped classical music. Here are its key personalities and era-defining works
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
BBC Proms 2025: your essential guide to every concert, every performer, and how to listen
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 BBC Proms, featuring a jam-packed selection of classical music's best-loved performers and composers
The contrabassoon: the orchestra’s deepest voice
Meet the contrabassoon: classical music’s deepest voice and unsung hero of the orchestral underworld
Music for studying: 15 great works that will boost your focus and banish distractions
What is the best music to aid a little learning? These are the best pieces of music for studying and keeping you on task and concentrating when the going gets tough and you're feeling easily distracted
Out now: our May 2025 issue, featuring World War II, the Nazis, Myra Hess, Sibelius and more
Here's your guide to the May 2025 issue of BBC Music Magazine, featuring the music of World War II, Sibelius, Vaughan Williams, Sian Williams and much more
Best Beethoven symphony: all nine masterpieces, ranked and rated
Ranking the nine Beethoven symphonies is a somewhat herculean and, of course, a controversial exercise. But here's what we think. What about you?
This cat gets emotional listening to music
Snoop, a beautiful black and white cat, gets surprisingly emotional over classical music—he even looks like he’s shedding a tear while listening to Chopin. Clearly, he's feeling all the feels.
All seven Sibelius symphonies, ranked
From the lush, emotional heights of the Second to the seamless, mystical flow of the Seventh, Sibelius's seven symphonies trace a musical journey unlike anything else in the classical repertoire. We try the impossible - and rank these seven emotive masterpieces
Denounced by Stalin, afraid for his life: 13 captivating facts from Shostakovich's turbulent life
Dmitri Shostakovich led one of the most complex, turbulent and ultimately heroic lives in all of classical music. Here are 13 fascinating facts about this iconic composer
The 15 most musical monarchs in history
Throughout history, monarchs have shaped music as passionate patrons, performers, and composers. Here are 15 memorably musical monarchs