They may conduct countless works each season, but what music is closest to the heart of today’s top conductors? We asked ten of the very best to choose the msuc that moves them most – and tell us why. Zubin Mehta on Mahler, Barenboim on Wagner’s Ring, Simone Young on Bruckner and Sir Antonio Pappano on Don Carlo are just the tip of the iceberg.ALSO IN THE MAGAZINE

Cannon Fodder

Love it or look down on it, Pachelbel’s famous earworm has found its way into the musical history books. We take a look at how that happened.

Steven Isserlis

The British cellist has waited 40 years to record the Dvořák Cello concerto. We visit him in London to find out what took him so long.

Composer Portraits

Every picture tells a story. Not only did these 14 composers write immortal music, they also inspired history’s great artists to new heights of expression.

Alina Ibragimova

The Rusian-born violinist has just recorded Schubert’s complete works for violin and piano but she’s in hot demand as a soloist and quartet player too. She tells us how she juggles her diary.

There’s No Business Like…

Baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes contemplates his latest metamorphosis from international opera star to eight-shows-a-week Broadway baby

Composer of the Month: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Admired by Elgar, likened to Mahler in the US and regarded as one of Britain’s top composers. His was no rags to riches tale though as we find out.

Musical Journey: Aix-en-Provence

Some of Europe’s finest opera is to be found admidst the cobblestone laneways and truckloads of lavender in this southern French town.

Reviews

A whopping 32 pages of classical CD, DVD, book and live concert reviews, including Benjamin Britten: the complete works; Sir Colin Davis’ early recordings explored; Brooklyn Rider – a string quartet releasing their inner gypsy; Ascher Fisch examines how Liszt took liberties with his son-in-law’s operas; Robin Ticciati strikes gold again with more chamber-sized Berlioz and the Met’s Rigoletto in Las Vegas has more feathers than a chook raffle.

The Limelight Classical Chart

Exclusive to Limelight, this chart ranks the top 20 best-selling classical CDs and DVDs according to monthly sales figures drawn from Australia’s leading classical specialist stores. Unlike other charts, Limelight’s specially assembled list admits only pure classical releases – it’s not diluted with crossover.

ABC Highlights

The only magazine to feature highlights and recommendations for ABC Classic FM, Radio National and ABC TV.