Artists
'Be young all your life': 15 musicians who played on into their 90s
For some performers and composers, the notion of retiring at 90 has been simply out of the question, as Terry Blain explains
Here are 10 reasons you should NEVER marry a musician
Free concert tickets and a home filled with the joys of music might seem tempting now, but you could live to regret it...!
These 11 musical mavericks followed absolutely none of the rules
From Satie to Sun Ra, we salute 11 musicians who defiantly did things their own way - and left music incalculably the richer for it
Alfred Brendel, pianist: 1931-2025
The acclaimed pianist has died at the age of 94. Claire Jackson remembers a remarkable musician, writer and thinker
Remembering the great pianist Alfred Brendel, who has died aged 94
The renowned pianist Alfred Brendel died at the age of 94 on 17 June. Here, we publish one of his final interviews, in which he recalls performing with legendary baritone, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Best conductor: 21 masters of the podium, ranked and rated
We asked 100 of today's leading conductors to vote for the best conductor of all time. And the answer is...
Happy Birthday Martha Argerich, goddess of the piano
Here is our guide to the life and work of the superb Argentine classical pianist Martha Argerich, widely regarded as one of the finest pianists of all time
‘Winning an orchestral role is like winning an Olympic medal': Canada's elite training scheme for orchestral musicians
Canada’s National Arts Centre is serious about education – and its flagship Orchestra is training the next crop of top musicians, writes Charlotte Smith
We've ranked the 21 greatest violinists of all time
Who are the finest violinists ever to have been recorded on disc? We ask 100 of today’s leading players to name their inspirations…
Jacqueline du Pré: one of music's most dazzling talents, lost to us far too soon
Jacqueline du Pré was a brilliant but complex genius whose shyness and vulnerability, particularly in the light of her illness, often left her misunderstood, says Helen Wallace
'I lost my voice live on stage' – countertenor Iestyn Davies on his best and worst concert performances
Leading British countertenor Iestyn Davies remembers the best and worst performances of his career... including losing his voice live on stage!
Maria Callas: genius, glory, and the loneliness of a legend
Her voice may have divided audiences, but the Greek soprano Maria Callas never failed to compel with powerfully vivid performances. Michael Tanner explores the life and career of arguably the greatest opera singer ever
Ranked: Paul McCartney's classical works - number 1 is essential (but you can skip number 5)
From heartfelt oratorios to abstract symphonies, we rank Paul McCartney’s five classical works—from the sublime to the forgettable
'He was childlike, wanting his own way, but lovable too': Benjamin Appl on studying with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Baritone Benjamin Appl remembers what it was like to study with his important mentor, the legendary Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
'He was rumoured to carry a loaded revolver': meet the 15 types of conductor
Studying great maestros past and present, Jeremy Pound gives a spotters’ guide to character types regularly seen on the podium
Virtuosos: eight incredible musicians from classical music's past and present
The BBC Music Magazine team chooses the virtuosos from history they would love to have seen perform
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
Which classical musicians should be the stars of Hollywood blockbusters?
Hollywood has taken an unexpected interest in classical music of late, says Tom Service – so here are some suggestions for their next blockbusting successes
Patricia Routledge: Hyacinth Bucket with the voice of an angel
Though known chiefly for her brilliant portrayal of a social climber on TV’s Keeping Up Appearances, Patricia Routledge was once also a successful mezzo, as the actress recalls with Michael White
From jazz piano in cocktail bars to starring in Wicked: Jeff Goldblum's musical memories
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
'It's simply untrue to say that women lack the stamina to play brass instruments' – trumpeter Imogen Whitehead
Britten Sinfonia principal trumpet player Imogen Whitehead on why we should challenge anti-female stereotypes in brass playing