Works
These famous pieces of music are not by who you think
So, who wrote Albinoni's beautiful Adagio? And what about Bach's famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor? The answers are not that obvious, says Roderick Swanston, as not all music was written by who we think it was
The 15 greatest openings in classical music... How many do you know?
What are the most memorable openings in classical music? Jeremy Pound and Steve Wright explore 15 of the best known, some of which have entirely outshone the works that follow
We asked you for the pieces that got you hooked on classical music. Here's what you told us
Back in 2014, we asked BBC Music Magazine readers to tell us about the pieces that first drew them into the wonderful world of classical music. Here are some of the many responses we received...
'Unperformable': the much-loved masterpiece that almost never got off the ground
What happens when a composer writes a work that is simply too difficult for its intended performers? Jeremy Pound takes a look at ten such examples
Debussy changed music forever. These 12 works prove it
Pianist George Lepauw guides us through the Debussy works he thinks any non-classical music fan would enjoy
These are some of the saddest songs ever written
Our round-up of some of the saddest and most haunting songs in musical history
Music for studying: 15 great works that will boost your focus and banish distractions
What is the best music to aid a little learning? These are the best pieces of music for studying and keeping you on task and concentrating when the going gets tough and you're feeling easily distracted
Think you don’t like classical music? These 7 works will change your mind
Violinist James Ehnes selects pieces to play for sceptics who don’t believe they’ll like classical music
Best Beethoven symphony: all nine masterpieces, ranked and rated
Ranking the nine Beethoven symphonies is a somewhat herculean and, of course, a controversial exercise. But here's what we think. What about you?
Darkest nursery rhymes: the eerie truths lurking beneath your favourite childhood songs
From Jack and Jill to Three Blind Mice, many of our best-loved nursery rhymes have some sinister meanings behind their cheerful lyrics. Read on for our guide to the darkest nursery rhymes of all time
Best of Satie: eight perfect introductions to his eccentric, captivating sound world
A selection of the finest – and oddest – pieces by the French composer and eccentric Erik Satie
Korngold Symphony in F sharp: a searing account of the misery of life in Nazi Germany
Despite Korngold’s denials, there is much to suggest that his Symphony in F sharp is a grim depiction of the dark days of Nazism, argues Jessica Duchen
George Gershwin wrote some of the 20th century's most joyous music. Here are seven of his best works
What are the greatest pieces of music written by the jazz-influenced classical composer, George Gershwin?
These are the 14 best stage musicals of all time
Ranked: the greatest musicals ever put on the stage
Gold medals and sex kittens: 5 times the music of Ravel has been used in popular culture
All seven Sibelius symphonies, ranked
From the lush, emotional heights of the Second to the seamless, mystical flow of the Seventh, Sibelius's seven symphonies trace a musical journey unlike anything else in the classical repertoire. We try the impossible - and rank these seven emotive masterpieces
These are music's 12 most fiendishly difficult works
Our guide to the 12 most difficult pieces of music to play ever - do you agree with our choices?
Vaughan Williams Tallis Fantasia: English music's most visionary work?
Vaughan Williams' Fantasy on a Theme of Thomas Tallis made an instant impression when it was first performed. Here is the story of the first-ever performance of the Tallis Fantasia
Best piano concerto: the greatest masterpieces, ranked
We count down the 21 greatest piano concertos - the finest works ever written for piano with orchestra
Best Mozart operas: his 11 greatest stage works, ranked
We choose some of the finest operas by the legendary composer, Mozart
Fauré's Requiem: the serene masterpiece that was labelled a 'lullaby of death'
Unlike the fire-and-brimstone Requiems of Mozart and Verdi, this particular work takes a serene, consoling view of death and the afterlife
Music about time: 15, er, timeless masterpieces
Musicians across eras have explored time’s beauty, mystery, and melancholy. These 15 masterpieces don’t just measure time—they feel it, using rhythm, lyrics, and emotion to remind us that music, like time, never stands still
Best of Brahms: 15 stunning works that show why there was no one quite like him
Here are 15 pieces that brilliantly demonstrate the genius of Johannes Brahms, who straddled Classical and Romantic, order and emotion, like no one else
Workout music: The best classical music for running and fitness workouts
Tired of your usual workout routine? Switch things up with this classical playlist full of music guaranteed to get your heart racing