
Current Playlist
Deceptive Cadence

Deceptive Cadence un-stuffs the world of classical music, which is both fusty and ferociously alive.
- Does 'Tár' tell us anything about Mahler's 5th Symphony?by Tom Huizenga on March 7, 2023 at 2:41 pm
The music that haunts the Oscar-nominated film is a calling card for conductor Rafael Payare.
- Missy Mazzoli is a symphonic composer with a photographer's eyeby Tom Huizenga on March 3, 2023 at 4:55 pm
On her new album, Dark with Excessive Bright, the vibrant, young composer coaxes unusual sounds from a symphony orchestra.
- From Beyoncé to Debussy, Yannick Nézet-Séguin shares music that inspires himby Terry Gross on February 15, 2023 at 5:36 pm
What do great conductors listen to when they're not on the podium? Nézet-Séguin made a playlist, specifically for Fresh Air, of music that inspires him (plus one of his cats' favorite songs).
- N.Y. Philharmonic chief looks to Gustavo 'Dudamel era' after historic appointmentby Olivia Hampton on February 8, 2023 at 8:16 pm
New York philharmonic president and CEO Deborah Borda discusses the decisionmaking process behind bringing the superstar conductor to the Big Apple.
NPR Music

In-depth stories from NPR Music staff and radio programs.
- Juilliard fires former chair after sexual misconduct investigationby Anastasia Tsioulcas on June 9, 2023 at 12:11 am
Composer Robert Beaser has been fired from the renowned performing arts conservatory after an independent investigation found that he had broken Juilliard policies and "misrepresented facts."
- Jason Isbell and Rodney Crowell stretch their boundaries on two new albumsby Ken Tucker on June 8, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Where Isbell's Weathervanes sounds like a new attempt to describe the world around him, Crowell's Chicago Sessions has the aura of an old pro who's realized he has a few more life-lessons to share.
- Janelle Monáe wants you ... to enter the 'Pleasure' zoneby Ann Powers on June 8, 2023 at 9:11 am
There's almost nobody better at creating complex musical worlds, but on her new album The Age of Pleasure, Janelle Monáe's aim is to stop thinking. Or at least start thinking about feeling.
- With 'Fountain Baby,' Amaarae redefines herself as a pop auteurby Tarisai Ngangura on June 8, 2023 at 9:01 am
By training her eyes on multiple targets, the singer challenges listeners to widen their points of view, compelling them to place her in spaces she's found belonging, not where she's been assigned.