Features
News, articles and features from the world of classical music
The 50 greatest recordings of all time
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
The greatest opera composers of all time
Here are the best opera composers of all time, from the 16th century to the modern day
The 20 Greatest Symphonies of all time
Which is the best-ever symphony? 151 of the world's leading conductors voted for what they thought to be the greatest symphonies ever written
The best recordings of all Beethoven's Symphonies
From the light, lively opening of the First to the famous 'Ode to Joy' of the Ninth, we choose the best sets of Beethoven Symphonies
Best symphonies by female composers
Until recently it was widely accepted that female composers avoided the symphonic form – but this assumption could not be further from the truth. Here are some of the greatest symphonies ever written by female composers
What's new?
Irish classical music: how it originated and developed and Ireland's best composers
Terry Blain explores the richly varied classical music history of Ireland, from its folk roots in the 17th century to the brilliant young composers working today
Best Irish folk songs: 6 beautiful traditional Irish songs you can't help singing along to
Self-confessed folk obsessive Freya Parr shares her favourite 6 Irish folk songs
New research shows surge in mental health concerns among musicians and performing artists since Covid-19
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine has revealed that its mental health consultations have quadrupled since 2019
Violin bows: how to hold them, what they are made of and where to buy the best violin bows
We all know that a bow is an essential part of playing a string instrument, but that's just the beginning. We're here to answer all your questions about violin bows and the different types and styles to choose from
The best music for the accordion
The accordion is one of the most versatile instruments to write for, appearing most prevalently in South American music, but also cropping up in jazz and more traditional forms of classical music. We have rounded up a varied selection of the best accordion music for you to discover
Artists
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason on the music that shaped him
The brilliant cellist guides us through the classical music that has guided and defined his career so far
Famous trumpet players: 5 of the most influential trumpeters from the modern era
From Wynton Marsalis to Håkan Hardenberger, we look at 5 leading trumpeters from modern times
Angela Gheorghiu interview: the challenges and delights of Puccini – and the one role she'll never sing
Angela Gheorghiu reflects on a lifetime dedicated to the music of the great composer, Giacomo Puccini, and why there is one Puccini role she's avoided throughout her career
Composers
Five composers with synaesthesia
From Scriabin to Sibelius, we list five composers who claimed to see music as colour
How Queen Elizabeth II inspired Britten to start composing again after he almost died
When Benjamin Britten was at his lowest ebb, the encouragement to start composing again came from no lesser person than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as John Bridcut reveals
The best female composers of all time
Our guide to the best female composers from history, many of whom have historically been wrongly excluded from the canon. Let's put that right – get to know their music now!
Instruments
The best works for the theremin
The theremin is a no-contact electronic instrument created in the early 20th century. We've chosen some of the best pieces of music to have been written for this surprising instrument
The history of the accordion: its invention, evolution and famous piano accordion makers
The history of the accordion is rich and varied, with the instrument crossing musical traditions around the globe and undergoing many technical developments
The 10 best viola jokes
The poor viola is always the butt of every joke, and we pity viola players the world over for having to roll their eyes every time their maligned instrument is mentioned in orchestra rehearsal. Here are the some of the funniest and best viola jokes for you to have up your sleeve...
Jazz
Best books about jazz
We share some of the best books about jazz, all reviewed by the experts at BBC Music Magazine
Anouar Brahem: Blue Maqams
Western jazz musicians were exploring Arabic music and maqams(modes) half a century ago, long before ‘world music’ became a scene.
Denys Baptiste: The Late Trane
The album title here refers to some of the late works of saxophonist John Coltrane, an artist that inspired London’s Denys Baptiste and generations of other sax players besides. Coltrane himself recorded these lesser-known numbers in 1965, the year before his groundbreaking A Love Supreme, and many of the tracks were released posthumously.
Musical terms
What is Synaesthesia?
The neurological condition Synaesthesia is seen as a blessing by many artists. Michael Beek explains more...
What is a leitmotif?
Most associated with the operas of Wagner, a leitmotif is a brief musical device signifying a character, location or idea, as Charlotte Smith explains
What is a contralto?
Discover what a contralto is and the range they sing
Recordings
La Nativité du Seigneur: a guide to Messiaen's Christmas organ cycle and its best recordings
In his nine-movement depiction of the birth of Christ, La Nativité du Seigneur, Messiaen produced one of the 20th century’s great organ works, says Paul Riley
A guide to Copland's Appalachian Spring and its best recordings
The 1940s ballet Appalachian Spring has become one of Copland’s most popular works. And its true American spirit has inspired many great recordings, finds Anthony Burton
The best recordings of Mahler's Rückert-Lieder
Whether reflecting on the scents of spring or the darkness of night, Mahler’s five settings of Rückert poems inspire Hilary Finch as she chooses the best recordings
Science of Music
How music therapy is treating victims of torture and war, facing the long-term consequences of trauma
Harmin Sijercic, a refugee from Bosnia, has been running creative music therapy at Freedom from Torture for over 16 years. He reflects on how music therapy has helped him on his own journey escaping war, and how he's since used music to support others to rebuild their lives
Music and AI: how AI will shape the future of music
The AI revolution is here, but how will it affect the musical world? We look into the future of music and AI – and how the two will be irrevocably linked
Music from memory: pros and cons of playing music without the score
How do you learn music by heart? The classical music world is mixed in its views towards playing music without the score, but when does it help or hinder a performance?
TV and Film music
How many female and non-binary film composers have won Oscars?
Just three female film composers have won an Oscar since the Academy started giving composers awards in 1934. Michael Beek explains who they are, from the most recent female recipient to the first
The best film scores of all time
Grab the popcorn, dim the lights and settle in for a run through our pick of the best film scores of all time...
Score vs soundtrack: what's the difference?
Know the differences between a film score and a film soundtrack? Michael Beek explains all you need to know...
Works
A guide to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
We delve into the revolutionary genius and lasting impact of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches: what they are, when he composed them and their place in history
A guide to Elgar's rousing set of marches, which have been at the centre of many grand and state events including several coronations
The best works by Samuel Barber
We choose some of the finest works by the last great American Romantic, Samuel Barber