Classical Music News

From our friends at NPR, PRX, and PBS Member Stations from around the country

Alan Gilbert (center) with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. He has left that orchestra and announced his new position as chief conductor of the NDR Elbphiharmonie, in Hamburg, Germany.

Philharmonic Flip-Flop: Conductor Alan Gilbert Trades New York For Hamburg

Friday, June 23, 2017

The conductor, who cut his tenure short as the New York Philharmonic's music director, finds a welcoming new home — with a glitzy new concert hall — in Hamburg, Germany.

An illustrated scene from Shakespeare's <em>A Midsummer Night's Dream</em>, the play Mendelssohn celebrates in his expansive, beautiful Overture in E major, Op. 21.

Meet Felix Mendelssohn, Composer Of The Original Song Of The Summer

Friday, June 23, 2017

Celebrate the sunniest of seasons with the German prodigy's timeless Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Brooklyn-based pianist Simone Dinnerstein traveled to Cuba to make her recent album with a young orchestra from Havana. Now they're on tour in the U.S.

Mozart And 'The Peanut Vendor' In Havana

Thursday, June 22, 2017

What happens when cultural doors open between the U.S. and Cuba? Beautiful moments like this mix of Mozart and a Cuban classic — with Brooklyn pianist Simone Dinnerstein and an orchestra from Havana.

Watch Conductor Simon Rattle Turn Into A High-Tech Tangle Of Spaghetti

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

With the aid of motion capture technology, and an imaginative digital artist, the gestures of the London Symphony Orchestra's conductor are transformed into trippy new animations.

Jason Haaheim is principal timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Meet The Nanotechnologist Behind The Timpani At The Met

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Jason Haaheim was a senior scientist at a nanotech company before deciding he wanted to play in a professional orchestra. He's now principal timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

The Dallas Street Choir, whose members are homeless, performs at the Winspear Opera House. The choir has embarked on an East Coast tour that includes a stop at Carnegie Hall.

The Dallas Street Choir Makes Historic Carnegie Hall Debut

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

The choir, composed entirely of singers who are homeless, performs Wednesday at the hallowed New York venue alongside composer and pianist Jake Heggie and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.

Maria Callas photographed at her home in Milan, Italy, in 1958.

Fame Is A Boomerang

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The legendary diva, who died 40 years ago this year, muses on stardom and fate — both on stage and off — in a luxurious new book of pictures and words.

Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek, a leading interpreter of Czech music, has died at age 71.

A Champion Of Czech Music, Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek, Dies At 71

Thursday, June 1, 2017

The Prague native was a proud promoter of his country's musical heritage — from Antonín Dvořák to Bohuslav Martinů — with the world's top orchestras.

Four Gifted Young Musicians Aim To Effect Change Through Community-Focused Projects

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Young, classically-trained musicians look to impact the world beyond sharing their virtuosity with it — through meaningful projects building on their potential as leaders in their home communities.