Artists
George Martin – the producer who added classical music to The Beatles' world-conquering sound
George Martin: his deep classical knowledge was key to shaping The Beatles’s world-conquering sound. We take a look at the legendary producer's classical musical influences
'A man of the highest honour and dignity'? Iconic tenor Enrico Caruso arrested for 'annoying women' at Central Park Zoo
In 1906 the celebrated Italian tenor was caught by police and arrested for persistently trailing women in the New York monkey house
Barbara Hannigan: the Canadian soprano on her three most memorable recordings
Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan revisits her three most memorable recordings
Ayanna Witter-Johnson: composer, singer and cellist who combines classical, hip-hop, soul and reggae
The London-born singer, composer and instrumentalist combines multiple influences in her passionate songs about race and history
Best viola players: 14 of the greatest violists of all time
Who are the world's most famous violists? From Lionel Tertis to Lawrence Power, we name 14 of the best viola players of all time
André Previn: one of music's most brilliantly effortless communicators
Remembering André Previn, whose musical contributions to concert hall and Hollywood soundstage had a major impact on 20th-century music
'There's a crisis in violin playing': Anne-Sophie Mutter on mental health and today's 'one-dimensional' style'
Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter discusses her admiration for tennis star Roger Federer, the key role of jazz in her musical upbringing and more
Cecil Sharp: the man who saved English folksong from oblivion
When Cecil Sharp died 100 years ago, he had collected almost 5,000 English folk tunes. Andrew Green takes a look at his important legacy
Maria Callas: one of music's most revered and enigmatic figures
Her voice may have divided audiences, but the Greek soprano Maria Callas never failed to compel with powerfully vivid performances. Michael Tanner explores the life and career of arguably the greatest opera singer ever
Idolised by Prommers, disliked by players: why longtime Proms chief Malcolm Sargent cut a divisive figure
Sir Malcolm Sargent breathed life into the BBC Proms. Yet for all his fame and fortune, says Andrew Green, the conductor’s personality and music-making heavily divided opinion
'My life with Sinatra, Marilyn and Doris Day': Leonard Slatkin on growing up on a Hollywood soundstage
As he marks his 80th birthday, conductor Leonard Slatkin shares his lifelong connection to the music of Hollywood
Greatest sopranos of all time: 20 immortal divas, from Leontyne Price to Maria Callas
Who are the most thrilling, captivating and brilliant sopranos to have sung the world's stages? We asked the experts to draw up their ultimate list. Do their choices still ring true?
Nicola Benedetti on what it takes to win BBC Young Musician... and how to survive afterwards
When violinist Nicola Benedetti won BBC Young Musician in 2004, a million-pound recording contract soon followed. As this year’s competition approaches, she remembers that important day...
'Black classical musicians have been written out of the history books': the orchestra exposing classical music's diversity problem
Chi-chi Nwanoku's trailblazing orchestra has kickstarted the careers of artists including Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and is providing a platform for brilliant musicians from the black, Asian and ethnically diverse community who aren't getting the performance opportunities they deserve elsewhere
Why the multi-talented Quincy Jones is an inspiration for musicians of every genre
Composer Carlos Simon on taking inspiration from the iconic, multi-talented and extremely busy Quincy Jones
Simon Rattle: exactly half a century after his first job in music, he's back at the BBC Proms
We profile the great British conductor Simon Rattle, and choose some of his finest recordings on disc
How to avoid burnout - advice for musicians, and those in any stressful job
Today’s top young performers offer sage advice to their peers...
These are the 15 best folk singers of all time - and a standout track from each you need to hear
Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Lead Belly: we explore the world's best folk singers and their key recordings
Gull attacks, naked wanderings and furious flirting: 15 calamitous concert cancellations
John Evans presents a potted history of
audience disappointment as he takes a look at some of classical music’s more intriguing, and unexpected, no-shows
Meet The Sixteen - Britain's happiest choir!
As The Sixteen celebrates its 45th birthday, founder Harry Christophers speaks to Andrew Stewart about directing a choral powerhouse
From Mozart to Megadeth: How classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine is converting heavy metal fans to classical music
American violinist Rachel Barton Pine takes inspiration from Scottish folk to thrash metal – and, as she tells Charlotte Smith, she’s now making new musical discoveries through parenthood
Musicians of the Titanic: the tragic tale of the doomed ship's musical heroes
On the night of 15 April 1912, one of the most heroic performances in history was witnessed, as the musicians of the Titanic carried on playing despite their inevitable fate. Andrew Green tells their story
Who is Stephen Hough? All you need to know about the brilliant British pianist appearing at The Last Night of the Proms
Here's everything you need to know about British pianist Stephen Hough, who performs at the Last Night of the Proms 2024
Home from gigs at 4am to herd cattle: the inimitable rise of Dave Brubeck, epitome of 1950s/60s cool
Remembering Dave Brubeck, a brilliant musician whose rhythmic and tonal free-wheeling made him the epitome of 1950s and ’60s cool