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.

For Jensen McRae, songwriting is alchemy and her latest album is gold
by Stephen Kallao on July 15, 2025 at 10:30 am
The Southern California-raised musician talks about her stunning sophomore album, I Don't Know How But They Found Me!
Bloc Party: Tiny Desk Concert
by Maia Stern on July 15, 2025 at 9:00 am
From the party anthem "Banquet" to the quiet "Blue," the English rock band spans its catalog at the Tiny Desk.
What makes for a summer song?
by Anamaria Artemisa Sayre on July 15, 2025 at 7:00 am
Robin Hilton, Anamaria Sayre and Hazel Cills gather to share songs that feel like summer — and that means staying indoors to avoid the heat as well as partying on a Brooklyn rooftop. (Note: A version of this conversation appeared in this feed last July.)'All Songs Considered' 25th anniversary segment: Our No. 1 songs from 2020Weekly reset: Grilling on a summer night just ahead of a thunderstormEnjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Hear new songs from past episodes in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.
Justin Bieber just dropped a surprise album. Is it a comeback?
by Hazel Cills on July 14, 2025 at 10:19 pm
Justin Bieber made news on Friday when he dropped a surprise album called Swag. It is his first album in more than four years.