Classical KUER

Deceptive Cadence un-stuffs the world of classical music, which is both fusty and ferociously alive.

What did the beginning of time sound like? A new string quartet offers an impression
by Olivia Hampton on January 17, 2024 at 10:11 am
Nokuthula Ngwenyama's Flow is on a 13-city tour of performances by the celebrated Takács Quartet.
Napoleon's piano lends authenticity to Ridley Scott's biopic
by Olivia Hampton on December 4, 2023 at 10:04 am
British composer Martin Phipps discusses how he used an 1808 French piano that once belonged to Napoleon in the score for Ridley Scott's biopic of the one-time emperor.
Finding a place at the Met, this opera sings in a language of its own
by Luis Trelles on November 27, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Florencia gives star Ailyn Pérez a rare chance to sing in Spanish. As the bilingual daughter of Mexican immigrants, she learned early on that language had the power to shape her experience and voice.
A disciplined plea for peace – and quiet – from composer Arvo Pärt
by Tom Huizenga on November 10, 2023 at 5:28 pm
A new album of music by the 88-year-old Estonian mystic seems to put an arm around you and whisper, "In troubled times, music can help."

In-depth stories from NPR Music staff and radio programs.

Watch Live: The 2025 NEA Jazz Masters tribute concert
by Nate Chinen on April 25, 2025 at 6:20 pm
A celebration to honor this year's NEA Jazz Masters award recipients, including Marshall Allen, Chucho Valdés, Marilyn Crispell and Gary Giddins. Watch live at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 26.
Carolina to 'Cowboy Carter' and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home
by Jewly Hight on April 25, 2025 at 5:22 pm
For musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer, trying to break down doors in the folk and country music scenes has been a long road. A festival in Durham this weekend aims to remedy that.
The Swell Season to release their first album in 16 years
by Raina Douris on April 25, 2025 at 3:55 pm
The Irish folk rock duo talk about their forthcoming record, Forward, plus they perform live in the studio.
Jennifer Higdon won't apologize for writing accessible music
by Tom Huizenga on April 25, 2025 at 9:00 am
As one of the most-performed living composers, the Pulitzer winner insists that her music communicate to everyone — from farmers to children to the classical music intelligentsia.