In this podcast we introduce some of the greatest classical music ever composed including symphonies, concertos, choral works and opera. These excerpts are easy to listen to and will hopefully tempt you to access the other podcasts in our series

Arguably the greatest composer ever, despite a dreadful childhood, a disastrous love life and many other personal problems. And on top of this he became deaf when only in his thirties

Arguably the greatest composer ever. Not only did he compose a wide range of glorious symphonies, concertos, choral works and string quartets, he also changed music forever. Beethoven introduced music that was profound, serious, interesting and expressed the complex, human spirit. He did this despite a difficult personal life, a dreadful childhood, disastrous love life and oncoming deafness from his mid-twenties

The BBC are broadcasting 75 Proms on the radio starting July 17th as part of their revised programme for 2020. These Proms are recordings taken from earlier years and feature many great orchestras, conductors and soloists. We have selected ten Proms which we think will appeal to those new to classical music and those who don't see themselves as "experts"

Get to know the lives and works of Gilbert & Sullivan, their catchy tunes, beautiful songs and wit and humour. Features The Mikado, HMS Pinafore and The Yeoman of the Guard

Get to know opera - arias, duets, trios, quartets, choruses and death scenes. From the great composers Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, Wagner etc

The life and works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, England's greatest composer, a wonderful human being with a fascinating life story

England's greatest compser who made a incomparable contribution to English classical music, and a wonderful human being