Steve Wright
Recent articles by Steve Wright
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
This cat has some serious piano chops
You've seen videos of cats 'playing' the piano before. We'll bet you haven't seen anyone quite like Nora, however
For every Beethoven, there’s a Farrenc: 12 hidden composers you’ll love
Can't get enough Beethoven? Hungry for more of Chopin's sound world? Try these lesser known composers who will give you the same feel as the greats
Bach to Black Sabbath: the deep connections between classical music and heavy metal
Classical music and heavy metal share a deep connection, from intricate compositions to virtuosic playing. We explore the fascinating musical ties between these two seemingly opposing genres
Leonard Bernstein was an icon. He was also being watched by the FBI
Leonard Bernstein was a huge and colourful figure in 20th century American culture. The FBI kept a close watch on him, too
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
Best of Aaron Copland: 11 essential works from the voice of American classical music
Aaron Copland crafted a sound that evokes America's wide open spaces and pioneering spirit. Here are 11 of his very greatest works
All seven Tchaikovsky symphonies ranked, from worst to best
From the youthful, evocative 'Winter Daydreams' to the gut-punch of the 'Pathétique', Tchaikovsky wrote some of the most dramatic, melodic and emotional symphonies in the canon. We've ranked them
Camille Saint-Saëns: virtuoso composer who bridged tradition and innovation
The polymath composer who suffered spectacular fall from grace
Meet Felix Klieser, the inspirational musician born with no arms
Horn player Felix Klieser was born without arms. His journey to the top of his profession is nothing short of inspirational
Watch as this beautiful cat steals the spotlight at classical concert
In Istanbul, the City of Cats, this beautiful feline gets a warm welcome as she mingles with the orchestra during a classical concert
These 9 films of classical music icons as children are truly inspiring
Discover the remarkable origins of some of classical music's greatest artists through these fascinating video clips of their childhood performances
Tchaikovsky: the great Romantic whose tragic life found expression in heart-rending music
Tchaikovsky: a great Russian, a great Romantic - and a master of the lament
Here's what happens when you play Debussy's 'Clair de lune' to a baby
This baby's reaction to his father playing Debussy and Chopin on the piano will give you a warm glow for the rest of the day