Steve Wright
Recent articles by Steve Wright
This kitten's reaction to the violin is just too cute
Watch Esther Abrami playing the violin to her kitten - and the frankly adorable response from the musical feline
'Fields of Athenry' lyrics
The Fields of Athenry, with its emotional storyline and vivid evocations of the landscapes of western Ireland, is one of the best loved Irish folk songs. Here are the lyrics
This is now the most expensive violin in history
For some 12 years, the position of world's most expensive violin was occupied by a famous Guarneri violin from 1741. Now that's all changed - and Stradivarius is back at the top
Here are 11 very cute pictures of great musicians and their beloved pets
There's a long and frankly very cute story to be told about the strong bonds forged between musicians and their pets. Here are some of the most life-affirming musician-pet combos
'A war cry set to music': 11 classical works so intense they could power a thriller movie
Chilling orchestral crescendos, stormy symphonic movements: here are 11 classical masterpieces brimming with drama, urgency and adrenaline
Easy piano songs: ten simple, rewarding melodies piano newbies can master
Here are some of the easiest songs to learn on the piano. How many can you play?
Listening room inspiration: how you can create the ultimate music sanctuary at home
Easy chair, hi-fi, vinyl displays: here's how to furnish your own listening paradise
Ten of the best works by black female composers
Professor Nathan Holder, author of the illustrated children's book, Where Are All The Black Female Composers, cherry picks ten great works by black female composers
Meet Badu: the cat who sings the blues
When his owner strums some blues riffs on guitar, Badu the black cat is ready with the vocals. Every time, in fact
Best of Bach: 11 gateway works into classical music's greatest composer
Joyous concertos, emotive solo piano works, sublimely uplifting choral music... Bach's output is as dazzling as it is varied. Here is the best of Bach in 11 great works
Happy St David's Day! Here are 7 glorious Welsh folk melodies you can't help singing along to
Our guide to some of the best folk and traditional songs to come out of Wales, a land famed for its rich musical heritage
Meet Hugo, the dog who loves to duet with Pavarotti
Hugo, aka Opera Dog, is an adorable Golden Retriever with a passion for opera. And for the voice of one operatic superstar in particular...
Out now: our March 2025 issue, featuring Ravel, Korngold, echoes... and the best film scores of all time
This cat REALLY enjoys playing the piano
Classical music quotes: 21 inspiring insights about music
Many inspiring, witty, even provocative things have been said about classical music. Here are some of the best classical music quotes
Vote now for your favourite classical music releases in the BBC Music Magazine Awards
Scientists have found that music eases pain best when it matches our natural rhythm
Researchers at Canada's McGill University have found that music provides the greatest pain relief when it aligns with a person’s natural rhythm
Daniel Barenboim reveals he has Parkinson's Disease
Two years after scaling back his performance calendar, legendary conductor Daniel Barenboim has revealed that he has Parkinson's Disease
Hardest songs: 16 of the most taxing melodies from opera, musicals and more
What are the hardest songs to sing? We take a look at some of the most technically demanding songs and arias from classical music, opera and musical theatre
The 2025 Grammys… which classical artists scooped awards?
Bizarre composer obsessions: trains, toys, death... and where do we start with Satie?
From the brick-counting Bruckner to Dvořák the avid trainspotter, Steve Wright introduces some of history’s most obsessive composers
'But what shall I play?': the rise and fall of the encore
Although loved by audiences, encores have had an uneven history and often an uncertain future, explains Brian Wise
Out now: our February issue, featuring Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Beethoven's Fourth, bed-hopping composers and more
For our February issue we take a deep dive into the eventful history of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Plus Gluck, Beethoven's Fourth Symphony, bed-hopping composers and more
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2025
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2025: vote now for your favourite classical music releases of 2024