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Classical Guides
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Ernst von Dohnányi
14th Apr 2026
A selection of some of the best recordings of music by the Hungarian composer, known particularly for a set of variations on a nursery tune, largely uncharacteristic of his wider musical style, which combines late Romantic influences with originality and astonishing technical accomplishment in music deserving of greater attention.
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Pascal Rogé at 75
7th Apr 2026
The French pianist celebrates his 75th birthday this week, with a new album of Fauré and a career-spanning box set, both on Decca – the label to which he first signed at the age of eighteen. We look back on the career of a master of musical architecture who communicates affection without affectation.
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Celebrating György Kurtág
19th Feb 2026
On the Hungarian composer's hundredth birthday, artists including Benjamin Appl, Quatuor Arod and Jean-Guihen Queyras share memories of the man and his music.
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Hamlet in Music
10th Feb 2026
As Chloé Zhao's new film adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning 2020 novel Hamnet garners eight Oscar nominations, we revisit some of the works (and latterly albums) which Shakespeare's 'sweet prince' has inspired over the centuries.
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Gifts for... Baroque and Early Music fans
3rd Dec 2025
In the latest of our festive gift guides, we've selected some perfect presents for the early music fan in your life, from the latest albums, vinyl reissues and collections, to the best recent books about the music and society of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
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Gifts for... Piano-lovers
25th Nov 2025
In the latest of our festive gift guides, we've selected some perfect presents for the piano-lover in your life, from the latest albums, vinyl reissues and collections, to the best recent books about piano music. Even Bluey makes an appearance...
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Gifts for... Opera-Lovers
18th Nov 2025
In the first of our festive gift guides, we've selected some perfect presents for the opera-lover in your life, from the latest complete recordings and recital-albums to the best recent books about opera.
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Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer
Lise Davidsen (Senta), Gerald Finley (The Dutchman), Brindley Sherratt (Daland), Stanislas de Barbeyrac (Erik), Anna Kissjudit (Mary), Eirik Grøtvedt (Steersman) Orchestra and Chorus of Norwegian National Opera, Edward Gardner
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The Choral - Reflections on Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius
12th Nov 2025
As Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner's film about a Yorkshire choral society performing Elgar's masterpiece during World War One hits UK cinemas, artists including Edward Gardner, Roderick Williams and opera director Stephen Langridge unpack what makes the piece so special for them...
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Francesca dePasquale: Hypermobile Musician
4th Jul 2025
Francesca dePasquale discusses her resource, Hypermobile Musician, and the importance of raising awareness around hypermobility in the music industry.
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BBC Proms 2025 - Our Top Related Recordings
24th Apr 2025
The Presto team picks out some highlights from this year's season (announced this morning) and recommends related recordings - from recent collections of orchestral works by Errollyn Wallen and Tom Coult to albums from Last Night soloists Alison Balsom and Louise Alder.
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ECM's New Series at 40
13th Jan 2025
To mark the pioneering series's recent fortieth birthday, Ben Hogwood selects some landmarks from the catalogue - including recordings of music by Arvo Pärt, Alfred Schnittke, Steve Reich and György Kurtág.
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Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa
Gidon Kremer (violin), Tatjana Grindenko (violin), Alfred Schnitte (prepared piano), Keith Jarrett (piano), 12 cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Staatsorchester Stuttgart, Saulus Sondeskis, Dennis Russell Davis
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Gifts for...Pianists and piano-lovers
19th Nov 2024
From 2024's best new recordings and box sets to recent books on the instrument and its repertoire, we select our top gifts for pianists and pianophiles alike.
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Gifts for... Baroque and Early Music fans
19th Nov 2024
From new recordings by The Tallis Scholars, Lucie Horsch and Lionel Meunier to impressive box-sets to fit under every tree, browse our selection of recordings for lovers of Renaissance and Baroque music.
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Gifts for... Opera-Lovers
19th Nov 2024
In the first of our festive gift guides, we've selected some perfect presents for the opera-lover in your life, from the latest complete recordings and recital-albums to the best recent books about opera.
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Meyerbeer: Le Prophète
John Osborn (Jean de Leyde), Elizabeth DeShong (Fidès), Mané Galoyan (Berthe), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Count Oberthal) London Symphony Orchestra, Mediterranean Youth Orchestra, Maîtrise des Bouches-du-Rhône, Lyon Opera Chorus, Sir Mark Elder
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Carlo Bergonzi - A Tenor Centenary
13th Jul 2024
As Carlo Bergonzi would have celebrated his 100th birthday today, Matthew remembers the great tenor and highlights a selection of his recordings.
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Bernard Herrmann
26th Jun 2024
A selection of some of the best recordings of music by the American composer and conductor, best known for his impressive roster of enormously successful film scores.
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Charles-François Gounod
20th Jun 2024
A selection of some of the best recordings of music by the French Romantic composer, known for his operas, sacred music and songs.
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Gounod: Faust (1859 version)
Benjamin Bernheim (Faust), Véronique Gens (Marguerite), Andrew Foster-Williams (Méphistophélès), Jean-Sébastien Bou (Valentin), Juliette Mars (Siebel), Ingrid Perruche (Marthe), Anas Séguin (Wagner/Un mendiant) Les Talens Lyriques, Flemish Radio Choir, Christophe Rousset
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Ethel Smyth
22nd May 2024
A selection of some of the best recordings of music by the late Romantic composer, known for her groundbreaking operas, her solo songs, and her fearless involvement in the suffragette movement.
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Arthur Sullivan
15th May 2024
A selection of some of the best recordings of music by the great Victorian composer - best known for his light operas written in collaboration with William Schwenck Gilbert and for his hymn-tunes.
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Sullivan, A: The Mikado
Donald Adams (The Mikado), Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Nanki-Poo), Richard Suart (Ko-Ko), Felicity Palmer (Katisha), Marie McLaughlin (Yum-Yum), Richard Van Allan (Pooh-Bah), Nicholas Folwell (Pish-Tush) Welsh National Opera, Sir Charles Mackerras
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Louis Spohr
16th Apr 2024
A selection of some of the best recordings of music by the early Romantic violin innovator - composer of eighteen violin concertos, thirty-six string quartets and more, and developer of two invaluable musical inventions: the chinrest and the rehearsal mark.
