Dirigenti

The BBC's orchestras are joined by world-renowned singers and musicians at some of the UK's most beautiful concert halls, performing the best in contemporary and classical music.

Charles Hazlewood examines how to build an orchestra for the 21st century as he tears down dated perceptions of the orchestra and explores six aspects of what makes an ensemble fit for purpose in the modern era.

Howard Goodall examines the work of The Beatles, Cole Porter, Bernard Herrmann and Leonard Bernstein.

Renowned composer, conductor, and pianist Andre Previn welcomes one or more musical guests for conversation and performance, either accompanied by Mr. Previn on piano or in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Produced by WQED and syndicated nationally on PBS, the series was notable among musical performance programs for its deft camera work and editing. The episode The Music That Made the Movies was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction.

Video game music is a world of its own. Its composers have drawn inspiration from great classical masters such as Beethoven and Wagner, while also echoing the styles of Erik Satie and Francis Poulenc. Why does the theme from Tetris fit its ever-accelerating gameplay so perfectly? What makes the music accompanying the dungeons in The Legend of Zelda so distinctive? Max Dozolme explores the stories, influences, and musical ideas behind some of the most iconic soundtracks in video game history.

The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - a child prodigy, a flawed human being and one of the greatest composers to have ever lived.

The World's Greatest Classical Music Festival. The BBC Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and in recent years has explored an innovative series of Proms around the UK with concerts in all four nations. Its aim: to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience, which remains true to founder-conductor Henry Wood’s original vision in 1895. Whether you are a classical connoisseur or think classical music isn’t for you, there is something for everyone in the eight-week stretch of concerts.

Celebrated American pianist Vladimir Horowitz in his first televised piano recital, taped at Carnegie Hall on February 1, 1968, and broadcast nationwide by CBS on September 22 of that year.