Works
Best classical music inspired by autumn: from Vivaldi to Tchaikovsky, nine works that beautifully capture the changing of the year
We present some of the best classical music inspired by the somewhat melancholy magic, misty mornings, and technicolour beauty of autumn
Classical music inspired by hate: six works dripping with scorn, mockery and bitterness
How hatred inspired some of our most famous composers and their music
Best Mahler symphony: ranking the nine completed symphonies of Gustav Mahler
We've ranked all nine Mahler masterpieces from our least favourite to the absolute best
The Creation: how Haydn came to compose the greatest triumph of his career
The story of how Haydn came to write his great oratorio, The Creation - a musical masterpiece perfectly attuned to the spirit of its age
Which piece got you hooked on classical music? From Bach to Gershwin, here are 27 inspiring suggestions
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...
Songs about London: 14 memorable and much-loved songs about life in the British capital
From Orlando Gibbons to Ray Davies via Lord Kitchener, here are 14 brilliant songs that evoke some of the energy and flavours of London
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
Louise Farrenc: six of her best works
The reputation of the 19th century composer Louise Farrenc continues to grow, and deservedly so. Here are six of her best works
The 'Eroica': a guide to the Beethoven symphony that changed the course of classical music forever
We analyse the genius and revolutionary inspiration behind Beethoven's extraordinary, epoch-making Third Symphony, the 'Eroica'
Love Bizet’s Carmen? Here are six operas you'll want to try next
Have you fallen in love with Bizet's sultry opera Carmen, and want some more in the same vein? Terry Blain has six suggestions for you
Paganini: six of the best works by the explosive violin virtuoso
The dazzling virtuoso Niccolò Paganini changed the story of violin playing. Here are six of his best works
Best of Beethoven: from the Eroica to the Hammerklavier, the 20 greatest works - and the recordings you need
Michael Tanner selects and explores Beethoven's top 20 must-hear masterpieces, choosing from the very best of the great composer's extensive output
‘While composing it in my head, I wept': Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.6 'Pathétique' brings his life to a close
The composition of Tchaikovsky's final symphony was an exhausting process - but its completion was a moment of pure happiness
'No words can express its exquisite delight': the work that caused traffic jams at its Dublin premiere
In 1742 Handel's Messiah made its debut in Dublin to much acclaim - but why did the composer choose Ireland over London? George Pratt and Terry Blain explain
The 7 greatest piano concertos by female composers
Pianist Alexandra Dariescu champions her top works for piano and orchestra by female composers
Fauré's Requiem is a serene masterpiece, a 'lullaby of death'. Here are five great recordings
Unlike the fire-and-brimstone Requiems of Mozart and Verdi, the Fauré Requiem takes a serene, consoling view of death and the afterlife. Here are five great recordings
Sonification: electromagnetic 'music' that can help us understand the secrets of the universe
Sonification allows us to listen to the sounds of the universe – and this wondrous music produces insights beyond our visual awareness, says Tom Service
Ranked: the monumental, deeply spiritual symphonies of Anton Bruckner
Rebecca Franks shares her personal ranking of all nine masterpieces by the great Austrian composer, Bruckner
Volume and virtuosity: 11 heavy metal tracks inspired by classical music
Despite first appearances, there's much to connect heavy metal and classical music, writes singer/songwriter and guitarist Joe Matera
What is the mysterious 'dark saying'? Plumbing the unsolved mystery of Elgar's Enigma Variations
We explore five possible solutions to the central mystery behind Elgar's masterful Enigma Variations. What is the mysterious 'dark saying'?
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: why it's so much more than 'Wagner's longest opera'
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg stands out as one of Richard Wagner's few operas with a comedic and uplifting tone
These are the 20 best operas of all time - and the revelatory recordings you need
From Monteverdi to Berg via Mozart and Puccini, we count down the 20 best operas of all time. Did we miss your favourite?
Struggling to sleep? These 11 dreamlike, ethereal works will help you get the rest you need
We guide you through the pieces of music that will help relax the mind, calm the nerves and send you off to sleep
Bruckner's Fifth Symphony: a work almost destroyed by well-meaning but misguided acolytes
Devout yet unconventional, Bruckner’s Fifth has long been misjudged, says Terry Williams, who finds which recordings reveal its greatness