BBC Music Magazine
America's contribution to the history of music is second to none
There's a big new word looming on the horizon. Trouble is, nobody can agree what it is. Some say it's semiquincentennial, others bisesquicentennial. There's also a fierce lobby holding out for sestercentennial. Very confusing for those of us who gave up Latin at 16.
3 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Bach's earliest cantatas in recordings of vivid clarity
Sébastien Daucé turns to Bach in accounts of fervour and tenderness
1 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Clarevoices
At 700, Clare is one of Cambridge's oldest colleges, but its choir is youthful and full of life, finds Andrew Stewart
7 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Stravinsky, Strauss and The Starman
For David Bowie, who died ten years ago this month, classical music was one many important influences
7 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
A bold statement in the face of censorship
Erik Levi praises Hyeyoon Park's compelling pairing of two composers suppressed and stifled by political forces
2 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Bold masterpieces brought to life
Steph Power is wowed by Richter de Vroe's orchestral experimentalism
1 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
A seamless dialogue in piano works for two
Leif Ove Andsnes and Bertrand Chamayou play Schubert with exquisite sensitivity, says Misha Donat
1 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Delightful settings of English texts
Christopher Cook enjoys the debut album from well-matched musical partners
1 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Subverting all genres
Tortoise's first new album since 2016 is an improbable yet utterly compelling success
1 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Unboxed
This month's round-up celebrates Jodie Devos and dives deep into Schoenberg and Shostakovich
1 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Lost Bach revealed after 320 years
Two organ works receive modern premiere in Leipzig
2 min |
January 2026
BBC Music Magazine
Single-handed Superstar
Following his stunning debut at last year's BBC Proms, one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy tells Claire Jackson all about repertoire, technique and challenging narrow-minded attitudes
9 min |
January 2026
Guitarist
On Record
Recording acoustic guitars at home can be frustrating and rewarding in equal measure - Michael Watts shares some hard-won advice
4 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
MARY KAYE STRATOCASTER
Mary Kaye models are probably the most desirable of all 1950s Fenders, so the very first one made must be the ultimate vintage Strat
6 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
BITS 'N' PIECES
Some of the best custom builds can almost happen by chance, believes Dave Burrluck, as he attempts to turn some disparate parts into a valid guitar. What could possibly go wrong?
5 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Affordable Flight
With plenty already in the line-up, Gretsch has released a new range of both Electromatic and Streamliner Jets that appear modern- aimed and very affordable. What's new?
4 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Fuzz King
Electro-Harmonix revives the classic three-transistor Tone Bender and evolves it for more sonic variety
2 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
DRIVE EFFECTS
Modern evolutions of classic gear dish the dirt this year
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Making History
Alex Bishop takes a trip to Oxford to indulge in the beauty and craftmanship of guitars from centuries past
3 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
All Aboard
Reading a manual to find out how to connect your acoustic guitar to Bluetooth might deter some traditionalists, but there is treasure to be found for the adventurous
5 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
The King's Head
The bombastic benchmark of the 'brown' sound has been channelled through a singleended EL34 power section and hybrid preamp, with significant volume and price savings
4 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Go Getter
Blackstar's palm-sized audio interface is a godsend for players who want better audio on their phone-recorded videos
2 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
AMPLIFIERS
Valves continue to deliver delectable tone in this line-up of world-class heads and combos
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
MODDING & UTILITY
Top-class additions to your rig to keep you sounding your best
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Winding Firebird Pickups
People do occasionally ask me to make pickups, but I'm not in the pickup business as such.
6 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
STEVE STEVENS
Best known as Billy Idol's collaborator of 40-plus years, Steve Stevens transcends the punk-rock guitarist mould, taking in flamenco, jazz-fusion, prog and classical styles – and he remains as excited about guitar today as he was when he first picked one up
8 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Fretbuzz
A monthly look at must-hear artists from all corners of the guitar world, from the roots of their sound to the tracks that matter most
2 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
1967 Gibson Barney Kessel
This isn't a guitar I would normally choose for an article, but I think it demonstrates just how extreme Gibson's custom division was prepared to get in order to make a customer happy back in the day.
3 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
FLOOR AMPS & MULTI-EFFECTS
This year's new tech puts a world of effects at your feet
1 min |
January 2025
Guitarist
Bold Strokes
PRS has ignored its existing signature artists during most of its 40th Anniversary year, but finally we get two new artist models that illustrate huge diversity and prove PRS does indeed make guitars for us players
7 min |