What makes English music sound English? Read more
now playing
English Music
What makes English music sound English?
Talking in music
Tom Service explores talking in music - from 'sprechgesang' to rap.
Wagner鈥檚 Ring Cycle: The Ultimate Box Set Binge
Tom Service explores classical music鈥檚 ultimate binge-listening box set - The Ring.
The Musical Universe of Maurice Ravel
Tom Service scopes the musical world of one of his favourite composers, Maurice Ravel.
Music and breathing
How is the rhythm and physicality of our breathing reflected in music?
Going Slow
Tom Service on what happens when our music goes slow.
The Goldberg Variations
Tom Service unlocks mysteries of Bach's towering keyboard work The Goldberg Variations.
Is it canon?
The classical music canon - who decides what's in and what's out? And can it change?
HIPP to Be Square
Historically Informed Performance Practice, or HIPP: what is it and why?
Musical Highs
Toms Service explores the way composers engineer musical crescendos and climaxes.
Is Classical music fashionable?
Is classical music in fashion? Who's listening and what are they actually listening to?
What makes the organ so mighty?
Tom Service on the majesty of the organ.
It Takes Two
How did the tango escape its lowly origins to become a world-wide phenomenon?
Rewilding Sibelius
Tom Service explores the music of Sibelius as a force of nature.
Tricky timing
Tom Service on the fascination of out-of-the-ordinary rhythms.
Becoming Beethoven's Fifth
How did Beethoven compose one the most famous works in classical music?
Swing, Rubato and Bounce
Tom Service investigates what happens when musical rhythm is loosened by swing or rubato.
What if...? Tom's Marvellous Musical Multiverse
Tom Service laments and consoles with some of the great 'what ifs' of music history.
Dream Teams
Tom Service explores musical collaborations.
Musical Signatures
What gives away a composer's personal style? How can we spot their musical signatures?
The Feasibility of Studies
How was the humdrum study transformed by great composers into miniature masterpieces?
The Viola - Music's Secret Fire
Tom Service explores the viola's secret influence in music.
Perfect Harmony
How does harmony work its magic?
Tunes for 'Toons
Tom Service explores cartoon music, from manic Mickey Mouse to moody Batman.
Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek: music is a being come alive
What makes the extraordinary music of Czech composer Leo拧 Jan谩膷ek instantly recognisable?
Is Music Good for You?
The tightly entwined relationship of music and our minds.
Brass Bands
Tom Service explores the world of brass bands.
Playing Second Fiddle (and Horn and Trumpet...)
The joys and frustrations of being the unsung heroes of the orchestral world.
How to listen to... Gilbert and Sullivan
Tom Service enters the topsy-turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Money Makes the Music Go Round
Tom Service explores the relationship between money and music.
Themes and Variations
Tom Service explores the endless potential of musical variations on a theme.