Works

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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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Best Mozart operas: his 11 greatest stage works, ranked

We choose some of the finest operas by the legendary composer, Mozart
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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
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