NPR Music

With a song from 1759 as a mile marker, pianist Lara Downes and historian Jill Lepore examine what this land was like just before it became the United States.

The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra's recording of Ravel's Boléro is up for a Grammy nomination for best orchestral performance. The recognition comes at a turbulent moment for Venezuela, but the orchestra remains focused on the music.

Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves is retiring from the stage after a last performance as Maria in the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera, and looking ahead to directing and mentoring.

A trio of amazing young musicians, from ages nine to 18, give jaw-dropping performances that will bolster your faith in the future of great music making.

A northern English town loses its best choral singers to fighting in World War I but finds new hope in a time of loss through music in Nicholas Hytner's new film "The Choral," featuring Ralph Fiennes.

The tune crooned by Bing Crosby is still one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. It's endured as a favorite — despite a complicated and controversial history.

Discover a broad range of this year's most compelling classical recordings, including symphonic booty-shakers, mystic violin, pipe organ prog and a guided tour of 18th century German chart-toppers.

Guitarist Sean Shibe pushes his instrument to the limit in new music written for him by Thomas Adès, and softens the vibe with intimate pieces by Bach, Mompou and the eccentric street musician Moondog.

For a century, the tiny Coolidge Auditorium, at the Library of Congress, has been a wellspring of cultural integrity, innovative music and American ingenuity. (And free concerts.)

On the new album Woodland Songs, Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate and the Dover Quartet collaborate on music with deep American roots.