BBC Music Magazine

BBC Music Magazine is a must for anyone with a passion for classical music. Classical music connoisseurs and new enthusiast alike will enjoy the fascinating features and reviews of over 120 new works in every issue.

Welcome

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

BBC Music Magazine

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FREE ONE MONTH TRIAL to the digital edition • BBC Music Magazine is a must-read for anyone with a passion for classical music. Every issue brings the world of classical music to life, from interviews with the greatest artists and features on fascinating subjects, to all the latest news and opinions from around the music world.

The full score • Our pick of the month’s news, views and interviews

Sound Bites

Rising Stars • Three to look out for…

Not a fine day for Puccini as his car flips in freezing fog

Dobrinka Tabakova • The Bulgarian-born composer is regarded as one of the most distinct voices of her generation and has enjoyed residencies with both the Orchestra of the Swan and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Her new residency with the Hallé Orchestra includes its ‘Portrait of Tabakova’ concert on 8 February, part of the Hallé St Peter’s Chamber Series.

Studio Secrets

⏪ REWIND • Great artists talk about their past recordings

My Hero

A journey of understanding

FAREWELL TO…

Music to my ears • What the classical world has been listening to this month

Richard Morrison • Composers often find ways to confess to their secret passions through music

VOTE NOW and help choose the best classical recordings of the past 12 months • IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER memorable year of top-class recordings, from familiar artists performing much-loved repertoire to the stars of tomorrow dazzling with innovative programmes and incredible musicianship. We’re delighted to present the nominations for the BBC Music Magazine Awards 2023, in association with Lark Music. The winners are up to you, so visit classical-music.com/awards and cast your votes. Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday 28 February, with the winners revealed at our Awards ceremony at Kings Place on Wednesday 19 April.

Goingplatinum • As leading Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly approaches his 70th birthday, he tells George Hall about his career with Europe’s finest orchestras and at the helm of the great La Scala opera house

Benjamin Grosvenor

All you need is love • Rebecca Franks tours the instrumental music, opera and songs that process the passion of those who have been pierced by Cupid’s arrow

A tale of lost folk • The erosion of manual labour has resulted in the loss of a once vibrant folk song tradition – but, writes Michael Church, there are still traditions and pockets of community life where the music thrives

Late bloomers • The Royal Irish Academy of Music’s new Adult Division invites aspiring musicians at all stages of life to resume or begin their instrumental studies. Ariane Todes meets the first student cohort

EVERY CHILD COUNTS • Clare Stevens looks at the range of government initiatives and charities helping to provide instrumental tuition within UK state schools

Southern Tuscany Italy • Kate Bolton-Porciatti finds magnificent music-making complemented by gorgeous vistas and fine wines at two Tuscan summer festivals

Ruggero Leoncavallo • Despite his best efforts to achieve otherwise, the Italian was doomed to be forever famous for one short opera, says Alexandra Wilson

LEONCAVALLO Life&Times

Edward Elgar Symphony No. 1 • Terry Williams seeks out the finest recordings of a work that, for all his recent other successes, proved a tough nut for the composer to crack

Continue the journey… • We recommend five works to explore after Elgar’s First...