Features
News, articles and features from the world of classical music
Linton Stephens: the BBC Radio 3 presenter and Chineke! bassoonist on the music that shaped him
From Brahms to Bob Marley, the presenter and performer selects six pieces that have soundtracked his musical life
The 20 Greatest Conductors of All Time
Who are the maestros who inspire the maestros themselves? We invited 100 of today's leading conductors to cast their vote for the greatest conductors ever
Half Price Sale! Subscribe to BBC Music Magazine today and save 52%!
The world's best selling classical music magazine!
Bridgerton Season 3: release date, music, composer, plot and more
What is a string quartet?
What is a string quartet? Interesting question, as it can mean both an ensemble of players and a piece of music written for that ensemble. Stephen Johnson explains
What's new?
The best classical music from Latin America: composer Gabriela Ortiz selects seven personal favourites
Why did Beethoven go deaf? Could heavy metal have been to blame?
A DNA analysis of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair shows that he may have had lead poisoning, which could have contributed to his deafness
15 composers and their dogs
We reveal the canine companions behind classical music's greatest composers
Errollyn Wallen: why sea, sky and solitude are key to her magical soundworld
From her first piano lesson, composer Errollyn Wallen has lived and breathed music; and though inspired by a range of styles, her composing is a deeply personal expression, as she tells Kate Wakeling
Most famous Requiems: how composers have portrayed death and the afterlife in music
From wrathful Verdi to ethereal Fauré, there are many different ways to compose a Requiem, as Jeremy Pound discovers
Artists
The 20 Greatest Tenors of all Time
Among the big-name opera stars and lower-key Lieder recitalists, who are the best tenors ever to have graced the stage? We asked an expert panel to decide. Here are the results...
Aigul Akhmetshina: from an isolated village in the Ural Mountains to the Met Opera stage as the youngest ever Carmen
At just 27, Aigul Akhmetshina became the youngest artist ever to take on the role of Bizet's Carmen at both the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera
Ada Lovelace: how the maths genius saw the future of music
The 19th-century mathematician and musician Ada Lovelace was the first to spot computers’ creative potential. David De Roure tells her intriguing story and explores her legacy
Composers
French composers: 25 of the greatest of all time
France has produced some of the most influential composers throughout history. We explore the lives and works of the best French composers
How many symphonies did Beethoven write?
An introduction to the 19th-century composer Beethoven's great orchestral symphonies - and some other great composers who managed the same tally
25 best British composers of all time
We asked 167 top international musicians to vote for the best British composers of all time. Here are the results… Do you agree - and who was voted number one?
Instruments
History of the violin: its invention, evolution and famous Italian violin makers
Its appearance and sound is oh-so familiar, but what’s the story behind the violin? Here’s some background to this most sweet and noble of musical instruments.
What is a Stradivarius?
Short answer? It's a make of violin... but read on to find out why they are so coveted, and who made them.
Hardest instruments to learn: ten most challenging musical instruments
Our round up of the hardest instruments to play and learn - do you agreee?
Jazz
From jazz to classical: five surprising classical albums from jazz greats
Six of the Best Jazz Film Cameos
Whether it’s breaking the tension of a thriller or adding sparkle to a musical, jazz musicians have a history of making scene-stealing cameos on the silver screen. Neil McKim explores six of the greatest
Six of the best jazz cameos in pop
Some of the greatest pop songs have benefited from the input of a jazz great. We discover some of the finest contributors...
Musical terms
What is a symphony? | What is a symphony?
Stephen Johnson gets to grips with one of classical music's essential terms, the symphony
What is a melody? And how has it developed through history?
It may be one of music’s fundamental properties, but the art of penning a memorable melody has long proved a notoriously elusive one. Stephen Johnson reveals the story – and the secrets – behind the humble tune
Allegro meaning: what does the instruction allegro mean in music?
Find out all you need to know about the term musical term allegro - what it means, when it began to be a common sight on musical scores, and a few of the many works that use this instruction
Recordings
Beethoven symphonies: a guide to 'the Nine'
No composer changed the symphony more radically than Beethoven... Here is a guide to all nine of his symphonies and their best recordings
Mozart's violin concertos: the best recordings
Julian Haylock sends a couple of false pretenders packing as he searches out the best recordings of Mozart’s violin concertos
Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor: a guide to a great chamber work and its best recordings
Jo Talbot celebrates the ‘Mozart of the 19th century’ as she searches out the finest recordings of this masterful work for piano, violin and cello
Science of Music
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
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
TV and Film music
Best Bond theme: which is the greatest theme from the James Bond franchise?
007 fan? Michael Beek counts down all the James Bond film theme tunes, from worst to best
The Piano TV show: what is it, who are the judges, how to watch
The Piano: all you need to know about the popular Channel 4 TV show featuring talented amateur pianists - including presenter, judges, broadcast dates and more
Six of the best: classical music in the movies
We choose six of the most unexpected and imaginative uses of classical music in movies
Works
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"
The Last Post: what is its history and why is it played during Remembrance Day?
Played on the bugle, the Last Post is a poignant tune performed at remembrance services across the world. Jeremy Pound explores its history and significance
'The Skye Boat Song': what are the lyrics to this popular Scottish folk song?
Bonnie Prince Charlie's dramatic escape to the Isle of Skye inspired one of Britain's most famous folk songs, and opening song lines, 'Speed bonnie boat'. Here are song's lyrics in full