Tom Service on the fascination of out-of-the-ordinary rhythms. Read more
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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.
Fiddles and Fiddle Tunes
Tom Service explores fiddles and fiddle tunes from around the world.
How to listen to... Arvo P盲rt
Tom explores Arvo P盲rt's music - what makes it so unique and why is it so popular?
Out of Tune
Tom Service asks what it really means to be in tune? In tune with what - or who?
Eat to the Beat
The many long-standing and sometimes surprising connections between food and music.
The timeless power of contemporary choral music
Tom Service immerses himself in the resonant sound world of 21st-century choral music.
Klezmer
Tom Service explores the connections between Klezmer and classical music.
The Borrowers
Is using someone else's music in your own big and clever?
How to listen to...Erik Satie
Tom Service explores the musical universe of Erik Satie.
Handel's Messiah: Hallelujah!
Tom Service lifts the lid on Handel's Messiah.
Playing at sight and playing from memory
Tom Service flexes his musical memory muscles whilst also improving his sight reading.
Making Overtures
Tom Service explores the rise and fall of the musical curtain-raiser.
Dancing about Architecture
Is writing about music really like dancing about architecture?
Recorders
Tom Service explores the music and mystery of that schooldays favourite - the recorder.
Classical Crossover
Tom Service turns his ears to a musical world where classical and pop converge.