A history and explanation of classical music to help listeners appreciate its nuances
World Service,Β·31 episodes
How varying a melody can be used to produce new musical compositions
How we define the use of the word classical in music
How to approach Beethoven's 8th Symphony
How Bach managed to improve and refine existing pieces of music
How Igor Stravisky's Octet was inspired by a dream he had
How to appreciate the romantic theme of Dvorak`s Cello Concerto
How the tone is set in classical music
The concerto, which features a solo instrument and an orchestra
How a symphony can be used to tell a story
Why Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4 is a unique piece of work
The life and work of Czech composer Leos Janacek, whose music had a truly unique sound
A look at three pieces of music that are always played on the last night of The Proms
An examination of the difference between hearing and listening
How music is used to celebrate Easter in the Orthodox Christian Church
The work of Richard Strauss and the first aired recording of his Four Last Songs
A discussion of whether it is possible to categorise or 'classify' music
How the countryside and the rural ideal has inspired composers
Debussy was considered to be the sound of French impressionism
How the play Pelleas and Melisande inspired several composers
How Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence exemplifies instrumental minimalism
Two examples of masterpieces on a synthonic scale
The influence of oriental culture on classical music
An examination of Brahms Concerto No. 2
The use of orchestral string instruments is explored
An attempt to describe Gustav Mahler's Eighth Symphony
The life and work of the French composer Maurice Ravel
Why composer Gioachino Antonio Rossini decided to retire at the age of 37
How the concerto helps to bring out the inner rock star of soloist musicians
Presenter Mark Lowther guides us through some of the music at this year's Proms
Mark Lowther discusses two pieces performed at the 2005 Proms
