Jon Vickers, Intense Canadian Tenor, Dies At 88
With his large, electrifying voice and his penetrating portrayals, Canadian tenor Jon Vickers thrilled opera lovers for more than 30 years.
Music & Culture
In Palestine, A Child Of Violence Becomes A Music Educator
Children of the Stone tells the story of a rock-throwing Palestinian teen's journey to found a music school. NPR's Lynn Neary speaks with Ramzi Aburedwan and author Sandy Tolan.
Old Souls Quit Their Day Jobs And Tour The UK
This summer we're following one band's summer tour. NPR's Wade Goodwyn talks to band leader Marty O'Reilly and tour manager James Partridge of the band Marty O'Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra.
Classical Composers' Feathered Influences
Did Beethoven cop from a warbler? Did Mozart plagiarize a starling? NPR's Wade Goodwyn speaks with Talkin' Birds host Ray Brown about these musical mysteries.
Strange Stories Surrounding Street Pianos
Designed to provide pleasure, street pianos in 19th and 20th century America were also magnets for some mischief and malevolence.
Goodbye, Music Tuesday: Starting Today, Albums Come Out On Friday
Around the world, new albums will now be released on Fridays. While the change is meant to help keep music from leaking early online, it could create some new headaches for music sellers.
Chicago's 'Cloud Tax' Raises The Cost Of Streaming Videos
Chicago is taxing services such as Netflix and Spotify. Some residents wonder if a tax on other Internet services will follow, and others worry the levy will scare away businesses.
Duke Ellington's 'Plank Session' Offers Snapshots Of A Jazz Master At Work
In July 1970, Duke Ellington recorded two tunes engineered by Conny Plank. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says The Conny Plank Session, which is now on CD, is a window onto Ellington's working method.
Playlist: Campaign Songs That Made Musicians Mad
As it turns out, the songs that run politicians right into copyright issues make for a pretty rockin' playlist.
Read The Overwhelming, Tragic Story Of Makeunder's 'Great Headless Blank' EP
Hamilton Ulmer, the leader of the Oakland band, shares a track-by-track analysis of Makeunder's latest EP, which was inspired by a terrible year in the songwriter's life.