Works
Polish Christmas carols: seven of the best-loved festive carols from Poland
Our guide to the most famous Polish Christmas carols
Hooked on Classics: the 1980s phenomenon with Mozart, drum machines... and record-busting sales
In the eighties, Hooked on Classics saw the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra dominate the pop charts and bring classical music to a mainstream audience...
Beethoven Ninth Symphony: a monumental, life-affirming work
We delve into the revolutionary genius and lasting impact of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Christmas carol meanings: the hidden messages behind your favourite carols
What do the words of our best-known Christmas carols actually mean? Here are some popular Christmas carol lyrics and meanings
Best folk songs: 14 of the most famous roots music numbers from around the world
Our round up of some of the world's most beautiful, moving and lyrical folk songs
Christmas choral music: 11 transcendentally beautiful works for the festive season
What are the greatest songs and choral works written for the festive period?
From nightclubs to condoms - weird and wonderful opera advertising campaigns
For centuries, promoters have advertised opera in weird and wonderful ways. Alexandra Wilson takes a look at some of the more memorable campaigns
'There's no such thing as silence': What is the point of John Cage's 4'33"?
How composer John Cage bemused, intrigued and (in some cases) angered New York with the sound of his silent new composition, 4'33"
Children's Christmas songs: 11 classic festive singalongs for all ages
Are these the best Christmas songs for kids? Or did we miss your favourite?
Opera's greatest death scenes: six unforgettable operatic demises
Stabbings, suicides and even death by guillotine punctuate the gore-spattered pages of operatic history.
Christmas musicals: 11 of the best festive singalongs
As if Christmas wasn’t bright and cheery enough without having a song and dance about it as well… Here's our rundown of the very best Christmas musicals on stage and screen.
The 7 greatest piano concertos inspired by jazz
The best classical music for winter
We select our favourite wintry classical music works to accompany your cold winter evenings
William Walton's Façade: the bizarre work that shocked 1920s high society
In 1922, the first public performance of Walton’s Façade provoked disgust and ridicule. Michael White tells the story of the challenging work’s conception
Old Christmas carols: nine of the best festive songs from down the centuries
Director of The Sixteen Harry Christophers names his five of the oldest Christmas carols from 1600 and before
Best school hymns: ten tunes we loved to belt out at school assembly
Presenting ten of the best school hymns that everyone looked forward to – and belted at the top of their lungs
Disturbing and beautiful: is this English music's most visionary work?
Vaughan Williams' Fantasy on a Theme of Thomas Tallis made an instant impression when it was first performed. Here is the story of the first-ever performance of the Tallis Fantasia
Best of Elgar: seven essential works by the great British composer
We choose the best pieces by the legendary figure of English music, Elgar
Thanksgiving songs: 11 famous and much-loved songs to get singing this Thanksgiving
Our guide to the most famous, most uplifting Thanksgiving songs - perfect for celebrating the holiday with
Best operas for beginners: seven operas newbies will love
Want to try opera but don't know where to start? Freya Parr shares the best operas for beginners to the form
The pianist who's unearthed a lost Mendelssohn masterpiece... and five other magical musical discoveries
Tomer Lev, pianist and artistic director of The MultiPiano Ensemble, tells the story behind the group’s world premiere recording of a Mendelssohn secret - and selects five other discoveries that changed the music world.
The 50 best Christmas carols of all time
Here's a list of the best-ever Christmas carols for the festive season, as voted for by 50 top choral experts from across the UK and US. Do you agree with their choices?
Best stage musicals: 14 of the most beloved all-singing, all-dancing stage shows of all time
What are the cornerstones of musical theatre? Where should you begin? Here's 15 of the best musicals to get started!
Fingers and nerves of steel: the 12 hardest pieces of music to play
Our guide to the 12 most difficult pieces of music to play ever - do you agree with our choices?