Happiness, brilliance, pain and fear: the 7 most passionate musical declarations of love
French cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca names the musical declarations of love with which he is smitten
Jacqueline du Pré: the cellist whose talent was as extraordinary as her tale was tragic
Jacqueline du Pré was a brilliant but complex genius whose shyness and vulnerability, particularly in the light of her illness, often left her misunderstood, says Helen Wallace
Musical politicians: 11 great political figures with musical talent to burn
With the US presidential election looming, we name the musical politicians vying for the position of history’s most musical world leader
What are microtones? The tiny building blocks of all music...
Though we may not always realise it, microtones – intervals of smaller than a semitone – are all around us when we listen to music, explains Tom Service
Murder schemes, all-night drinking, saucy shenanigans: 15 reckless and rebellious composers
From Mozart to Peter Warlock, here are 15 composers who stepped out of line - socially, sexually, or just with too much motorbike-based nudity
Best Beethoven recordings of all time: 20 great moments in Beethoven recording history
We name the best albums and recordings every Beethoven lover needs to add to their collection
BBC Radio 3 launches Unwind – a 24/7 stream of calming classical music on BBC Sounds
Best of Chopin: seven essential works by the great Romantic
From the Minute Waltz to the Funeral March, we choose some of the very finest pieces by the great Polish composer and pianist
'What can one say about this painted pornography?': Sex, scandal, and the strange story of the Beethoven frieze
In 1902, a temple to Beethoven was built in Vienna, displaying artworks that underlined the composer’s humanity and vulnerability. Paul Riley tells the story of the Beethoven frieze.
Impostor syndrome: why even the greatest performers share our feelings of inadequacy
Even the most elevated artists sometimes suffer from impostor syndrome – but that vulnerability makes them even better musicians, explains Tom Service
Meet the most fascinating figures from classical music
What's it like to study with a living legend? Cellist János Starker was 'like a doctor with X-ray eyes'
Ildikó Szabó remembers her cello lessons with the great János Starker
Oscar Levant: film star, and greatest Gershwin pianist of his generation
Oscar Levant built his reputation as an actor and radio host, but this talented pianist was also a key interpreter of Gershwin’s music
Florence Foster Jenkins: was she really the 'Diva of Din'?
In 2016 Meryl Streep brought the very dubious talents of history’s most wayward soprano to the cinema. But who, asks Nick Forton, was the real Florence Foster Jenkins?
The great composers
Explore the lives and works of classical music's finest composers
Secret rituals and brotherly love: why Mozart joined the Freemasons
Undoubtedly Mozart joined the Freemasons to assist his career, but the young composer was also inspired by their egalitarian values
John Williams's family: The musical dynasty you knew nothing about...
The release of the new feature documentary Music by John Williams shines a light on the man behind some of the most iconic music ever written. But he’s not the only successful musician in the family who you may have listened to…
Previously unheard Chopin Waltz is a ‘precious find’
Chopin died 175 years ago, so you’d be forgiven for thinking we’d heard everything there is to hear. But no, not if a fascinating find by New York’s Morgan Library and Museum is to be believed…
Maurice Ravel: the 'most perfect of Swiss watchmakers'
We explore the life and work of Maurice Ravel, master craftsman of French music
Greatest Recordings
Our recommendations of essential additions to your listening library
These are the 50 greatest recordings of all time. How many are in 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
Vivaldi Four Seasons: five of the greatest recordings of all time (and, just for fun, three wild cards)
These four revolutionary violin concertos remain Vivaldi's most-loved works. Lucy Chaudhuri rounds up the best recordings of The Four Seasons to date, and adds in three wild cards for good measure
Appalachian Spring: Aaron Copland's masterful evocation of America's wide open spaces
The 1940s ballet Appalachian Spring has become one of Copland’s most popular works. And its true American spirit has inspired many great recordings, finds Anthony Burton
Ludovico Einaudi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Max Richter: 18 definitive ambient classical albums you should hear
The best post-classical albums and modern masterpieces to inspire and move you
Albums of the week
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Folk & Ba-Rock Cello (Giovanni Sollima)
In her review, Jo Talbot is wowed by Giovanni Sollima’s technique and virtuosity in this ear-opening showcase of the cello’s thrilling sonic possibilities
Souvenirs (Johan Dalene and Peter Friis Johansson)
In his review, Michael Jameson gives a big thumbs up to this dazzling recital from the exceptional young Scandinavian violinist Johan Dalene
Pierrot Portraits
Claire Booth and Ensemble 360 deliver a triumphant gallery of ‘Pierrot Portraits’, says Paul Riley in his review
Audio equipment reviews and advice
A selection of the best reviewed albums from the latest issue of BBC Music Magazine
Best TV speakers: revolutionise your TV sound with these state-of-the-art speaker systems
Whether you're after a wireless option, a soundbar or something more design-led, we've brought together some of the best TV speakers for all audiophiles available to buy now
Would you spend a million pounds on a hi-fi? What if it sounds like nothing you've ever experienced?
Our audio expert Chris Haslam spends a few enjoyable hours in the company of some of the most eye-wateringly capable (and expensive) hi-fi technology out there
The best bluetooth speakers to take on your travels
Which are the best speakers to take on holiday with you? Here's our handy guide to battery life, connectivity, waterproof ratings and a whole lot more...