Sophomore slumps: 15 second albums that squandered that debut magic
From rushed follow-ups to overblown experiments, these 15 'difficult second albums' prove that early success can be a tough act to follow
The most terrifying jump scares in classical music
Who needs visuals? The great composers are masters at getting us jumping out of our skins with just the terrifying force of music,
as Tom Service explains
They said WHAT? 15 rock stars who crossed the line
From drunken rants to political scandals, here are fifteen moments when rock’s biggest icons took rebellion too far – and paid for it
Celebrate the future of music with the Festival Academy Budapest
FAB celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2025 with honoured guests and young talent
Sex, darkness, death: The Doors albums, ranked
Dark, seductive, and dangerous — The Doors’ albums ranked, from shadowy psychedelia to seductive, poetic rock masterpieces
Nine iconic bands who tried for the big reunion... and missed
Not every reunion rocks. Eight legendary bands tried to recapture the magic – and proved some breakups should stay permanent.
From the Middle Ages to Miles Davis, these are the 10 best trumpeters of all time
Leading trumpeter Matilda Lloyd traces the history of her instrument through ten influential players, from the Tudor era to the present day
These are the 31 greatest classical albums to start your collection
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
1967 was rock's year of revolution. We've ranked its 21 greatest albums
1967 wasn’t just psychedelia — these 21 albums reveal brilliance across rock, soul, folk, and avant-garde, redefining music forever
Rachmaninov: huge hands, hypnotherapy ... and breathtaking music
The last great Russian Romantic: meet Sergey Rachmaninov, creator of some of classical music's most irresistible melodies
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
15 bands whose lyrics we just don't understand (and we love it that way)
Some of rock’s most beloved bands sing in riddles, nonsense, or invented languages — and we love them all the more for it
These 12 iconic musicians walked away at the height of their powers
When stars vanish at their peak – Barrett, Stevens, Denny, Gould – their abrupt exits leave mystery, legend, and longing in their wake
RIP Patricia Routledge: from Bernstein to Bucket, a life less ordinary
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
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
We ranked the 31 greatest composers of all time (the top 3 were so tough)
We asked today's composers to choose the 31 greatest composers of all time. A tough task: here's how they rank...
Why Bach was the composer who changed music forever
Meet the king of counterpoint, Johann Sebastian Bach
Schumann: the composer who walked a tightrope between genius and madness
Meet Robert Schumann, tortured genius of music's Romantic age - and creator of some of the 19th century's most exhilarating music
Ranked: the 20 greatest opera composers of all time
Here are the best opera composers of all time, from the 16th century to the modern day
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
9 'classic' albums that fell flat (and what went wrong)
Even legends falter. From the Stones to McCartney, 9 albums that should’ve been masterpieces — but instead missed the mark in fascinating ways
Ranked: rock's 17 most captivating concept albums
From musical Inuits to four-disc madness, these daring albums stretch imagination with surreal narratives, bizarre sounds, and sheer unforgettable weirdness
These are the 21 greatest prog rock albums of all time – ranked
Did King Crimson hit the prog heights for you? Or were Yes or Genesis at the top of the prog tree? We rank the 15 greatest prog albums of all time
Creedence Clearwater Revival albums ranked (the top 3 were tough)
From gritty bayou riffs to fiery protest songs, we rank Creedence’s albums, celebrating swamp-rock mastery, timeless hooks, and raw American energy
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Review: Shostakovich – Piano Trios; Piano Quintet
Erik Levi voyages through Shostakovich’s kaleidoscopic chamber works in the company of violinist Julia Fischer and friends
Review: Rameau – Platée
Berta Joncus enjoys a 2024 Versailles take on Rameau’s rarely recorded Platée
Review: Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No.3 (Yunchan Lim)
The young pianist’s stupendous 2022 Van Cliburn final performance is a must-hear, says Paul Riley
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine