Kronos Quartet Wants To Give You Free Music — And Teach You How To Play It
The Quartet's Fifty for the Future project will commission 50 pieces by as many composers. Then the scores and instructional videos will be free online.
Music News
The Metropolitan Opera Baton Passes To Yannick Nézet-Séguin
The newly announced music director of the Metropolitan Opera talks about joining one of the world's most famous opera houses — and how he might help heal its wounds.
'Music Of Morocco': A Labor Of Love For Mid-Century Moroccan Musical Diversity
In 1959, Paul Bowles traveled around Morocco to record as much traditional music as he could. A new box set of those recordings tells almost as much about Bowles as it does Morocco half a century ago.
In A Genre Crowded With Bros, Cam Lifts Off
The rising star, whose "Burning House" was the biggest country song by a female solo artist in 2015, talks about being taken seriously while breaking into a genre that's dominated by men.
'Presenting Princess Shaw': The Unlikely Story Of Samantha Montgomery
Samantha Montgomery is an elder-care worker in New Orleans who also writes and sings her own songs on YouTube. A composer in Israel spotted her and via social media, they began to work together.
The Resurrected New York City Opera's Ambitious New Season
From the ashes of bankruptcy, can a rebooted company relive its glory days? Its new general director discusses the past, present and future.
Hip-Hop Group Adds Rhymes To The 'Morning Edition' Theme Song
David Greene and Renee Montagne share a hip-hop rendition of the Morning Edition theme. A hip-hop group by the name of Jazzy Triggs took the theme, added a beat and dropped some rhymes on top.
Hey, Hey, It's 50 Years Of The Monkees!
Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard wrote a song for The Monkees' new album, titled Good Times! NPR's Stephen Thompson shares "Me & Magdalena" with All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro.
Your New Robot Overlord Turns Out To Be A Pretty Good Marimba Player
Over the weekend, a four-armed robot named Shimon did something amazing: It played an improvised jazz set alongside a human bandmate at a music festival.
Transgender Choruses Harness The (Changing) Power Of Voices
Transgender people are speaking out in society — and singing in choirs nationwide. "Voice is probably one of the deepest signifiers of who a person is," says the founder of a group about to debut.