Classical Music’s Natural Selection
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Two Japanese researchers believe the theory of evolution can apply to music as well as biology.
Listen in Quaking Awe to the Might of the Classical Contrabassoon
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Listening to the forerunner to the modern contrabassoon is, in a word, an “experience.”
Listen to Aaron Copland Bring ‘Appalachian Spring’ to Life
Thursday, October 11, 2018
A recorded rehearsal of one of Copland’s most familiar pieces sounds like the composer is creating the sound from the ground up.
Watch Two Opera Stars Record Their Voices on Edison Wax Cylinders
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
These voices take a trip to the past in a studio-turned-time-machine.
A Stranded Orchestra Brings Vivaldi to the Airport
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
When your flight is delayed and instruments are at hand, it’s only a matter of time before music breaks out.
An Insane Double Bass Solo Piece Designed to Make You Fail
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Failing doesn’t merely require some incredible musical skill. It also calls upon the ability to simultaneously recite a monologue on how hard the task is.
Back To Bach: 15 Minutes With Violinist Hilary Hahn
Friday, October 05, 2018
WQXR
WQXR's Jeff Spurgeon sat down with violinist Hilary Hahn to talk about her newly completed survey of Bach's solo violin works, practice habits, and their shared love of Mr. Rogers.
Just a Regular Pair of Geniuses (No Really)
Thursday, October 04, 2018
2018's MacArthur "Genius" class features two classical musicians: here's what you should know about them.
Dessa: The Rapper, Writer and Poet on Composition, Hip-Hop, and Growing Up With a Lutenist Dad
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
Ahead of her two performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, Dessa dropped by WQXR to talk about music, her composition process, and what classical picks she'd give to a hip-hop head.
Jean Sibelius’s Only Radio Interview Doesn’t Reveal Much — But Wow, That Voice
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
In 1948, the Finnish composer gave a neutral and reserved interview, but that shouldn’t stop you from listening to his deep, sagacious voice.
What if ‘Rite of Spring’ Were an 80's Video Game? It Might Sound Like This
Monday, October 01, 2018
YouTuber foeveryrealx transformed Stravinsky’s ballet into an 8-bit suite. And it's mesmerizing.
The Best Classical New Releases of September 2018
Sunday, September 30, 2018
From Yo-Yo Ma’s latest take on Bach’s Cello Suites to a radical reimagining of Schubert, here are our favorites.
A Tease of Conrad Tao’s ‘Everything Must Go’
Friday, September 28, 2018
The New York Philharmonic commissioned Conrad Tao to compose a work that serves as a prelude to Bruckner’s 8th — listen to how the two pieces are flawlessly linked together.
Must-See Classical Concerts This October
Friday, September 28, 2018
There are many great concerts happening around New York City this October. Here's what to see.
Saxy Ligeti Is Something We Had No Idea We Needed
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles are an intensely playful, sprightly set of short compositions. Turns out that a group of saxophones can convey that feeling quite well.
This Piano Trio’s Take on a ‘Final Fantasy’ Theme is a Musical Dream
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
“To Zanarkand” is one of the more popular tunes from video game composer Nobuo Uetmatsu’s oeuvre. One chamber group wanted to see what they could do with it.
11 Conductors Choose Their Pieces of a Lifetime
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
"If you only had to conduct one piece for the rest of your life, what would it be?" is a question that conductors would probably want to avoid. But these 11 stepped up to the challenge.
Review: Epic, Pagan and Sexy... It's Not Cirque du Soleil But the Met's New 'Samson et Dalila'
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
WQXR's David Patrick Stearns reviews the new Metropolitan Opera production of Saint-Saëns's 'Samson et Dalila.'
Dmitri Shostakovich Wrote 15 Symphonies. We Ranked Them All
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Find out which are Shostakovich's best symphonies.
Essential Vivaldi Recordings
Monday, September 24, 2018
Here are the must-have Vivaldi recordings.
