Features

Hugo Shirley and Richard Fairman revisit Abbado’s 1977 La Scala recording of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, only to confirm its classic status

Gavin Dixon pays tribute to the short-lived Italian conductor and polymath whose life and work were full of surprises and whose controversial interpretations often divided opinion

The King's Singers bring their special brand of close harmony singing to NPR's office

Do you have a favourite piece of classical music and want to explore further? Our monthly feature suggests some musical journeys that venture beyond the most familiar works, with some recommended versions

Andrew Mellor profiles Britain’s first full-scale orchestra playing on period-specific instruments, which has made more than 300 recordings

Tim Parry continues our new series outlining a definition and brief history of different musical forms

Bernstein – a centenary celebration

Martin Cullingford’s pick of the finest recordings from this month’s reviews

Special interviews with those who collaborated with Leonard Bernstein, including Marin Alsop and Thomas Hampson

Our monthly series telling the story behind an orchestra