Features
News, articles and features from the world of classical music
The Piano TV show: what is it, who are the judges, how to watch
The Piano: all you need to know about the popular Channel 4 TV show featuring talented amateur pianists - including presenter, judges, broadcast dates and more
Who are the BBC Singers?
You may have heard about this choir, particularly when its existence came under threat. But who exactly are the BBC Singers? How were they founded? Here is all you need to know about this long-standing group of musicians
Beethoven symphonies: a guide to 'the Nine'
No composer changed the symphony more radically than Beethoven... Here is a guide to all nine of his symphonies and their best recordings
'The Skye Boat Song': what are the lyrics to this popular Scottish folk song?
Bonnie Prince Charlie's dramatic escape to the Isle of Skye inspired one of Britain's most famous folk songs, and opening song lines, 'Speed bonnie boat'. Here are song's lyrics in full
15 of the best stage musicals of all time
What are the cornerstones of musical theatre? Where should you begin? Here's 15 of the best musicals to get started!
What's new?
History of the violin: its invention, evolution and famous Italian violin makers
Its appearance and sound is oh-so familiar, but what’s the story behind the violin? Here’s some background to this most sweet and noble of musical instruments.
How many symphonies did Beethoven write?
An introduction to the 19th-century composer Beethoven's great orchestral symphonies - and some other great composers who managed the same tally
Where did God Save the King come from? A guide to the history of the British national anthem
Andrew Green investigates the elusive origin and irresistible rise of Britain’s national anthem, 'God Save The King'
What is a Stradivarius?
Short answer? It's a make of violin... but read on to find out why they are so coveted, and who made them.
Hardest instruments to learn: ten most challenging musical instruments
Our round up of the hardest instruments to play and learn - do you agreee?
Artists
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason signs for Sony Classical
The talented young pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, sister of Sheku, Isata and Braimah, will record a debut featuring Chopin, Debussy and more
Jakub Józef Orliński: the breakdancing countertenor and cover model who has graced the world's biggest opera stages
Star countertenor, breakdancer and model Jakub Józef Orliński enjoys a challenge – and he’s now applying his boundless commitment and energy to the role of artistic director on his new recording of Gluck’s Orfeo, as he tells Rebecca Franks
Conductor Sir Andrew Davis (1944-2024)
The conductor Sir Andrew Davis was perhaps best known for his recordings of English composers Elgar and Vaughan Williams - but there was also one very memorable Proms performance
Composers
25 best British composers of all time
We asked 167 top international musicians to vote for the best British composers of all time. Here are the results… Do you agree - and who was voted number one?
The best German composers of all time
Germany has produced some of the greatest compositional voices in history – many of whom are considered among the best across the entire globe. Here, in alphabetical order, we present some of the very best
When was Beethoven's funeral and how many people attended?
The story of thousands gathering in Vienna for Beethoven’s final farewell
Instruments
Where can I buy the best clarinet reeds?
Our guide to clarinet reeds: what they do, how they are made and where to get the best ones
Violin mutes: what they do, how to use them and the best violin mutes for practice and performance
We're here to answer all your questions about violin mutes and mutes for other stringed instruments, and explain the differences between the various types of violin mute
What instruments make up a jazz band?
A wide variety of instruments can make up a traditional jazz band, from pianos to saxophones. Here are the main ones...
Jazz
Six of the Best Jazz Film Cameos
Whether it’s breaking the tension of a thriller or adding sparkle to a musical, jazz musicians have a history of making scene-stealing cameos on the silver screen. Neil McKim explores six of the greatest
Six of the best jazz cameos in pop
Some of the greatest pop songs have benefited from the input of a jazz great. We discover some of the finest contributors...
Six of the best jazz hit singles
Neil McKim's guide to some of the biggest jazz chart hits
Musical terms
What is jazz music?
Destructive or redemptive, degenerate or transformative? Jazz is a phenomenon, a true world music that came of age over a hundred years ago. Here's our guide to the jazz music genre, its origins and pioneers
What is Synaesthesia?
The neurological condition Synaesthesia is seen as a blessing by many artists. Michael Beek explains more...
What is a leitmotif?
Most associated with the operas of Wagner, a leitmotif is a brief musical device signifying a character, location or idea, as Charlotte Smith explains
Recordings
Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor: a guide to a great chamber work and its best recordings
Jo Talbot celebrates the ‘Mozart of the 19th century’ as she searches out the finest recordings of this masterful work for piano, violin and cello
Ryuichi Sakamoto: the best recordings
We rank the essential albums of Ryuichi Sakamoto, the pioneering film composer, electronic artist and solo performer
Six of the best landmark jazz recordings
Jazz has undergone many changes of style over the last century, not least with the arrival of rock music. Neil McKim picks out some pivotal concerts
Science of Music
New research shows surge in mental health concerns among musicians and performing artists since Covid-19
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine has revealed that its mental health consultations have quadrupled since 2019
How music therapy is treating victims of torture and war, facing the long-term consequences of trauma
Harmin Sijercic, a refugee from Bosnia, has been running creative music therapy at Freedom from Torture for over 16 years. He reflects on how music therapy has helped him on his own journey escaping war, and how he's since used music to support others to rebuild their lives
Music and AI: how AI will shape the future of music
The AI revolution is here, but how will it affect the musical world? We look into the future of music and AI – and how the two will be irrevocably linked
TV and Film music
Six of the best examples of classical music in movies
We choose six of the most unexpected and imaginative uses of classical music in movies
These movie directors are using classical music to create viral memes and memorable moments
From Brahms to Samuel Barber, the use of classical music in films can create all sorts of unlikely connections in the minds of the audience, as Tom Service explains
Maestro: how Bradley Cooper became Leonard Bernstein for the Netflix biopic
Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Jamie Bernstein discuss how Bradley Cooper embodied the late great conductor Leonard Bernstein in appearance, movement and, of course, conducting...
Works
Best of Mozart: eight essential works
We choose the greatest pieces by Mozart, the legendary travelling composer
Hardest classical music to memorise: musicians choose the pieces they struggle to commit to memory
Best of Beethoven: Top 20 Beethoven works
Michael Tanner selects and explores Beethoven's top 20 must-hear masterpieces, choosing from the very best of the great composer's extensive output