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A look at some major composers who did not receive any formal musical training and followed their own non-traditional paths into Western classical music.

Ahead of the 2026 Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition, we talk to past winner Euan Shields about what entrants can expect, and how to navigate the competition’s twists and turns.

With concerts featuring Myung-whun Chung at the piano, Pinchas Zukerman leading from the podium, and inventive programming from Chief Conductor Andrea Battistoni, the Tokyo Philharmonic’s 2025 season straddles many divides.

The chief conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra discusses his love and fascination for Elgar’s deeply personal work – and his experiences performing it for the first time.

Quintessentially English or establishment outsider? Elgar was seen as provincial – and was never more at home than in his beloved Malvern Hills – but he had a European outlook.

To celebrate the centenary of Sir Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto we have asked some acclaimed cellists to share with us some of their personal memories connected to this masterpiece.

From the anthology of classical music greats there springs a surprising number of multi-faceted composers. We already know all about their musical achievements, but from Rossini to Wagner, many hide also talents as science geniuses, celebrated chefs, sporting prodigies, accomplished artists and even political pioneers.