Out now: our September issue, featuring Itzhak Perlman, Arvo Pärt, classical music in film and much more!
On sale now: our September issue—featuring Itzhak Perlman, Arvo Pärt, the most unforgettable classical music in film, and so much more to explore
The saddest 'what ifs' in rock: 7 bands that missed their moment
Seven brilliant bands with unforgettable songs, tangled fates, and heartbreaking near-misses — this is the story of rock’s greatest almost-weres and the stars that never rose
‘She got carried away with the heavy breathing’: the 11 most moving, arousing love songs
From aching ballads to euphoric anthems, these 11 timeless love songs reveal the full spectrum of romance and desire
Five things to know before buying an acoustic guitar
Let us help find the best acoustic guitar for you
This is the most expensive piano in the world. Here's why
A guide to the most expensive piano ever sold at auction, and its unique place in cultural history
Fairy tale music: 14 works inspired by the wonder and magic of fairy stories
From enchanted forests to magical birds, these 11 spellbinding classical works draw on folk legends and fairytales to conjure worlds of wonder and mystery
7 political pieces that bravely stood up to tyrants and called for freedom
Conductor Anja Bihlmaier selects works that have at their heart a burning desire for political freedom
Best pianist: 21 awesome magicians of the keyboard, ranked
Who was the best pianist of all time? We asked 100 leading pianists to name the performers who have brought the most magic to the keyboard
Bachs to Von Trapps: music's 10 greatest dynasties
Jeremy Pound ponders nurture, nature and ancestral trees as he admires the collective talents of history’s most musical families
From DNA to distant galaxies: 11 awe-inspiring classical works inspired by science
Alec Evans explores the sound of science in 9 fascinating classical works
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
The greatest blues singers: 15 giants of the genre, ranked
Paul McGuinness explores the best blues singers of all time, who helped shape and influence the genre
Dennis Brain: Britain’s horn hero who captivated the world
Dennis Brain inspired a generation of musicians and music fans alike. Andrew Green traces the meteoric rise and tragic end of the French horn virtuoso
Herbert von Karajan: the high priest of classical music... with a Nazi past
If a conductor has a tainted personal history, should we still listen to their music? When that conductor is arguably the greatest of all, the dilemma becomes even more problematic...
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
Henriëtte Bosmans: the Dutch-Jewish composer who bravely confronted the Nazis in person
Amid the terrors of Nazi oppression, the Dutch-Jewish composer showed admirable fearlessness and passion, says Rebecca Franks
Alma Mahler: narcissist, adulterer... and one of music's most colourful characters
Thwarted as a composer, was Gustav Mahler's wife, Alma Mahler, really a ‘boundless narcissist’? Perhaps a troubled soul lurked beneath...
Mozart was facing charges of indecency. This was his solution
Mozart's marriage, hastily arranged, stops a visit from the Vienna police, writes Terry Blain
John Cage: the composer whose most famous work didn't make a sound
Nick Shave explores the nuts and bolts of an avant gardist whose creative genius goes well
beyond his famous 4'33" of not-quite-silence
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
Led Zeppelin albums ranked
From raw blues to epic rock grandeur, we rank every Led Zeppelin album—studio mastery, iconic riffs, and hidden gems included. Here's how the legends stack up
50 years of 'A Night at the Opera': how Queen rewrote rock's rulebook
Exploding with invention, defiance, and flamboyant charm, Queen’s A Night at the Opera remains a dazzling milestone—where glam met grandeur and rock became theatre
Rush albums ranked: all 19 studio LPs, from worst to best
From hard rock roots to progressive masterpieces, Rush’s studio albums chart a thrilling journey of evolution and brilliance. We've ranked 'em all
The 1980s were bold, brash... and unforgettable. Here's the greatest album of every '80s year
From synth-pop to stadium rock, post-punk to art pop, here are the defining albums that shaped each unforgettable year of the 1980s
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Review: Purcell – Complete Suites and Other Music for Keyboard
In her review, Kate Bolton-Porciatti believes pianist Cristian Sandrin has set the bar with his thrilling modern take on Purcell keyboard gems
Review: Moonlight Variations (Pablo Ferrández)
Cellist Pablo Ferrández serves up an appetising menu of works, perfectly played and curated, says Jo Talbot in her review
Review: For Dieter... (Benjamin Appl)
Benjamin Appl’s heartfelt and imaginative album homage to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is cherishable, says Natasha Loges in her review
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
How to choose the best turntable for your budget in 2025 – from under £200 to £135,000
The best desktop speakers 2025: turn your home office into a listening paradise
Here are the best luxury headphones on the market right now
Our audio expert Chris Haslam tests options for luxurious listening in private