Articles
These 15 famous figures all tried composing. Some were pretty good. Others... not so much
Which famous people have also tried their hand at writing music?
Steal Away to Jesus lyrics
Here are the lyrics to the powerful spiritual 'Steal Away to Jesus', with its coded message of hope and liberation
Stars, brain waves and atom bombs: 9 great pieces of classical music inspired by science
Alec Evans explores the sound of science in 9 fascinating classical works
This is one of the most heartwarming moments you'll see on a concert stage
When Lisette Oropesa cued up an encore that required a tenor onstage, there seemed to be a problem. Enter one Liu Jianwei...
Poems for kids: 11 magical verses for younger readers
Poetry can be a great way for kids to discover music and literature, so we've flicked through the archives and have gathered together some of the best poetry for kids.
The Reformation: the seismic event that brought vivid colours to church music
Martin Luther’s Reformation opened the doors to a more colourful church music landscape. Simon Heighes explores how composers adapted to their new licence to thrill
Prog rock: in praise of classical music's unruly cousin
What happens when classical music-style levels of ambition, invention and sheer length are grafted onto pop music? The answer, as Meurig Bowen explains, is Prog Rock
Russian composers: 11 of the greatest composing voices from the land of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov
Read on as we count down the greatest Russian composers of all time, from Rimsky to Rachmaninov, Scriabin to Stravinsky
Voice types: do you know your spinto soprano from your bass baritone?
We untangle the complex world of operatic voice types, exploring their ranges and naming some of the greatest singers to have ever lived
Who is Alexandre Kantorow? The exciting young pianist described as 'Liszt reincarnated'
The exciting young French pianist shares with Jessica Duchen the enormous thrills of performing at the 2024 Paris Olympics and winning the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition
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Wendy Carlos: trans pioneer and creator of Stanley Kubrick's creepiest soundtracks
In 1968, Wendy Carlos’s Switched-On Bach became an instant best-seller. As the experimental composer turns 85, Nick Shave looks back at her life and career
Punch-ups, walkouts and headbangers: seven riotous musical premieres
Just over a century on from the fiery premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Sam Mason-Jones explores six other works that have caused something of a stir
Michael Tilson Thomas: why a terminal cancer diagnosis won't stop me from conducting
As conductor Michael Tilson Thomas marks his 80th birthday, he speaks to Michael White about continuing to make wonderful music while living with cancer
Best poets: 11 iconic figures who conjured magical worlds in verse
From Dante via Shakespeare to Maya Angelou, here are 11 poets who have created the most evocative worlds in verse
Playing chamber music can make you a more empathetic person... here's how
Violinist Eva Zavaro discusses the importance of playing chamber music to build listening skills, teamwork and human understanding
The pianist who lifted Britain's mood during its darkest hour
Lin-Manuel Miranda: 'Anyone who tells you Sondheim isn’t an influence on them is lying'
As the legendary Hamilton creator makes his directorial debut in the film adaptation of Jonathan Larson's musical tick, tick... BOOM!, he tells us all about the music that has shaped his life and work
Mahler Symphony 5: a guide to this journey from darkness to triumph, and its best recordings
We name the greatest recordings of Mahler's legendary Fifth Symphony
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Vienna New Year's Day Concert: the famous concert's dark beginnings
How Clemens Krauss and the Nazis set off a Vienna New Year tradition in 1939
From the Bachs to the Von Trapps, these are history's most musical families
Jeremy Pound ponders nurture, nature and ancestral trees as he admires the collective talents of history’s most musical families
Vienna New Year Concert 2025: programme, history, how to watch
When is the Vienna New Year's Day concert broadcast across the world? Everything you need to know about this prestigious event
Best classical music for New Year's Eve - 7 wonderful works to celebrate the New Year in style
The pieces of classical music to help you bring in the new year in style