Listen Live Now
Current Playlist
Deceptive Cadence
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 amNokuthula 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 amBritish 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 pmFlorencia 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 pmA 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."
NPR Music
In-depth stories from NPR Music staff and radio programs.
- Bruno Mars adds yet another milestone to his career with 'The Romantic'
by Stephen Thompson on March 12, 2026 at 7:33 pmBruno Mars is the most-listened to artist in the world on Spotify. He's won 16 Grammys. In case you thought there were no battles left for him to win, this week he unlocked another achievement.
- There's more than one path to a confessional songby Sheldon Pearce on March 12, 2026 at 6:38 pm
On new albums by viral sensation Yebba and studio whiz Pimmie, it's clear modern R&B has been clearing space for vastly different stripes of singer-songwriter.
- 'Songs from the Hole': The story behind JJ'88's documentary and visual albumby Kara Frame on March 12, 2026 at 10:30 am
The visual album and documentary Songs from the Hole tells the story of James Jacobs, the hip-hop artist JJ'88, as he reflects on his coming-of-age within California's state prison system.
- Madi Diaz: Tiny Desk Concertby Robin Hilton on March 12, 2026 at 9:00 am
Few artists can completely dismantle your heart, fill it with wonder and awe at the miracle of life, and put it back together quite like Madi Diaz.