Young Thomas Arne goes to extreme lengths to conceal his musical talent from his family.

John Milton shows his appreciation for noble words and music in uplifting harmony.

JB Cramer was one of the finest pianists of his day, though his reverence for Mozart made his own music more popular in the drawing room than the concert hall.

Composer Ethel Smyth buys a new-fangled ladies’ bicycle, and scandalises the neighbours.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was commissioned by a fiercely independent Britain, and Beethoven was excited to oblige.

A young English girl in Dr Johnson’s London struggles to share her gift for music.