Welcome to the January 2026 issue of BBC Music Magazine.
When our cover star, the acclaimed one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy, took to the stage at the BBC Proms last summer to perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, he did so as the only professional one-handed concert pianist in the world today. But this was just one in a series of remarkable achievements for the inspiring and resilient British artist.
Born without a right hand, McCarthy defied early naysayers to become the first one-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in its 130-year history in 2012 – and in the same year performed to an audience of 500 million in the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games. He discusses his remarkable rise to fame with Claire Jackson on page 24.
Elsewhere this issue, Karishmeh Felfeli-Crawford reports from India, where the once-derided piano is enjoying a boom in popularity. Continuing our travels, Brian Wise explores how composers have depicted the landscapes of 15 American states, from Alaskan glaciers to Florida plantations.
Elsewhere, David Bowie fans are in for a treat this month. For Bowie, who died ten years ago this month, classical music was just one of many important influences. Andrew Green examines the classical thread, from Richard Strauss via Holst to Stravinsky, that runs through the Starman's back catalogue.
This month's cover CD features uplifting choral music by composers including John Tavener, Herbert Howells, William Byrd and JS Bach, performed by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge. Click here or on the image to see the track details for this month's cover CD.
