Oliver Condy
Former Editor, BBC Music Magazine
Oliver Condy is the former editor of BBC Music Magazine, a post he held for 17 years. His debut book, Symphonies of the Soul: Classical Music to Cure Any Ailment, will be released in November 2021 with Octopus Books. He is also a semi-professional organist, having previously given recitals in Bach’s churches across Germany.
Recent articles by Oliver Condy
The world’s greatest orchestras - and their finest moments on disc that you must hear
Our guide, continent by continent, to the world's best orchestral ensembles - and a great recording that shows each at their stunning best
Best wedding music: the ultimate classical music choices for your wedding ceremony
Whether you're getting married in a church or a registry office, everyone needs music. Here are some of the best bridal choruses and pieces of music to be played on the organ or during your ceremony or service
Best Mahler symphony: ranking the nine completed symphonies of Gustav Mahler
We've ranked all nine Mahler masterpieces from our least favourite to the absolute best
The best recordings of JS Bach's Brandenburg Concertos
We reveal the finest recordings of Bach's six orchestral masterpieces, his Brandenburg Concertos
The best pieces of violin music ever written
Calling all violinists! Here are the greatest pieces of violin music written by the top composers of all time
What’s the difference between chamber music and orchestral music?
We explain the differences between chamber music and orchestral music, and how each form has evolved throughout history
The best pipe organs in the world
Where are the world's best organs? Which cathedrals have the best organs across the globe? Oliver Condy has written a short guide to some of the world's most impressive pipe organs
Six of the best: Satie works
A selection of the finest – and oddest – pieces by the French composer and eccentric Erik Satie
Six of the best works by William Boyce
Discover some fantastic music from the master of English Baroque, William Boyce
When was the organ invented?
Oliver Condy presents an overview of this most noble and awe-inspiring of instruments, the organ
Organist and composer Francis Jackson dies, aged 104
We pay tribute to the leading British organist, composer and choirmaster, who was publishing music right up until the end of his life
Best classical music for funerals
Selecting the right music for the funeral of a loved one is never going to be an easy task. Oliver Condy chooses music that can provide moments of beauty amidst the sadness
What are the different parts of a pipe organ?
What’s in an organ? Blag your way in any organ conversation with the aid of our whistle-stop tour of all the stops, pedals and manuals that make up a church or concert organ
Leading Britten conductor Steuart Bedford dies
Bedford conducted the world premiere of Britten's Death in Venice in 1973
Dame Fanny Waterman dies at 100
Legendary piano teacher and co-founder of the Leeds International Piano Competition
Music festivals of Gozo | Music festivals of Gozo
Discover the beautiful Mediterranean island and its world-class music and opera festivals
What was the first opera ever written?
A quick guide to the birth of opera – music's great art form
6 of the best classical music-themed films on Netflix
From The Soloist to The Perfection, Oliver Condy picks six of the best classical music-themed films on Netflix right now
'Rule, Britannia!' to be performed at Last Night of the Proms
Concert also to feature new arrangements of 'Land of Hope and Glory' and 'Jerusalem'
88 piano keys raise £88,000 during lockdown
Pianist reaches ambitious fundraising goal
Armenian competition goes online
The 2020 Khachaturian International Competition responds to coronavirus with digital innovation
How to broadcast a concert remotely
Tenebrae conductor Nigel Short on the challenges and thrills of presenting a programme of Easter choral music in this period of self-isolation
A message from the editor of BBC Music Magazine
Coronavirus has delivered a blow to all our lives. As concerts and festivals are forced to cancel, musicians are being more innovative with sharing music than ever before. Here is a quick note from BBC Music Magazine's editor Oliver Condy.
Christmas classical music and drink pairings
What music should you be playing to accompany the finest tipples? Oz Clarke and the BBC Music Magazine team offer you their expert advice