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.

The Magnetic Fields: Tiny Desk Concert
by Robin Hilton on November 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The band performs more than half a dozen songs across the beloved 69 Love Songs.
How a Sabrina Carpenter song led to a priest's demotion for mishandling church funds
by Rachel Treisman on November 20, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Officials say Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was disciplined for mishandling $1.9 million in parish funds. He faced scrutiny last year for letting Carpenter film a music video at his Brooklyn church.
He's been nominated 32 times for CMA Musician of the Year — but never won
by Neda Ulaby on November 20, 2024 at 10:15 am
Steel pedal guitarist Paul Franklin set a CMA record as a 32-time nominee for Musician of the Year. Will this year be different?
Shaboozey nears an all-time chart record, and Gracie Abrams builds momentum
by Stephen Thompson on November 20, 2024 at 9:10 am
In recent months, the list of the nation's top songs has been remarkably unchanging — Shaboozey has had the No. 1 song for 18 weeks — but this week, a brand new name makes a splash in the top 10.