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BBC Music Magazine - September 2025

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In this issue

Itzhak Perlman
As the violin legend approaches 80, he looks back at his dazzling career

Arvo Pärt at 90
How the chiming of bells inspired his hypnotic new soundworld

Heroes & Villas
Pianist Alexander Melnikov tells John-Pierre Joyce how he has found inspiration at the home of Rachmaninov

Donizetti's opera comes to a bloody end as sopranos scrap

Nineteenth-century opera is packed with scenes of fiery confrontation, from the red-hot love entanglements in Bizet’s Carmen to the apocalyptic clashes between gods, demigods and humans in Wagner's Ring cycle. Few, though, are fierier than the convulsive episode Gaetano Donizetti placed at the heart of his opera Maria Stuarda, as he readied it for presentation at the Royal Court of Naples in 1834.

3 mins

Concert Heaven Concert Hell

Top artists recall their best and worst performances

3 mins

A funny thing happened...

Without context or words, can instrumental music really be amusing, as the pianist Alfred Brendel suggested? Of course it can,

2 mins

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Pick a theme... and name your seven favourite examples

3 mins

Richard Morrison

Thomas Hardy's dark poems are a vital record of a rich musical past

3 mins

In good hands

As we celebrate legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman's 80th birthday, the virtuoso speaks to Charlotte Smith about teaching, conducting, his famous sound – and keeping inspired over a career of more than 60 years

8 mins

Code to joy

Many composers have embedded coded messages in their music – and some still remain a mystery

6 mins

Man of the World

Though many may think of John Rutter as being the most British of choral composers and conductors, his huge popularity in fact spreads right across the globe,

7 mins

Cold comfort

In the late 1980s, British pianist James Kirby braved cold, hunger and totalitarian rule to study in Moscow. Here he shares his memories with

8 mins

Heroes & Villas

Rachmaninov holds a special significance for pianist Alexander Melnikov – a composer whose life bore similarities to his own,

6 mins

Picture perfect

What are the best ever uses of classical music masterpieces in film? From heartbreaking love stories to apocalyptic visions, we select our top 12

9 mins

Learning the notes

Unique to the British cultural scene, chorister schools can offer often educational opportunities that are hard to match, writes

6 mins

Vienna Austria

If you're a classical music lover and you haven't been to the Austrian capital, it is definitely time you paid a visit, enthuses

3 mins

Arvo Pärt

From serialism to the hypnotic tintinnabuli, the 90-year-old Estonian's world has shifted radically over the years,

6 mins

Why British hi-fi is up amongst the world's best

Our expert Chris Haslam gives advice on buying the latest hi-fi equipment

4 mins

Mark Kermode

Film Critic, Broadcaster

4 mins

Read all Stories from BBC Music Magazine

BBC Music Magazine Description:

Publisher: Our-Media-Ltd

Category: Music

Language: English

Frequency: Monthly

BBC Music Magazine is a monthly classical music magazine published by Immediate Media Company. It was first published in 1992 and is the best-selling classical music magazine in the world.

The magazine covers all aspects of classical music, from news and reviews to features and interviews. It also features exclusive content from the BBC Proms and other BBC classical music events.

BBC Music Magazine is a popular read for many classical music lovers, and is known for its in-depth coverage and expert analysis. It has helped many classical music lovers discover new music and learn more about the genre.

Here are some of the things you can expect from BBC Music Magazine:

* News and reviews of classical music

* Features on classical music composers, performers, and conductors

* Interviews with classical music figures

* Exclusive content from the BBC Proms and other BBC classical music events

If you're looking for a magazine that will help you stay up-to-date on the latest classical music news and trends, then BBC Music Magazine is a good choice. Subscribe today and start exploring the world of classical music!