Music

Conductor Kurt Masur, seen here performing in Leipzig in 2007, announced in 2012 that he had been suffering from Parkinson's disease. He died at age 88.

Conductor Kurt Masur, Leader Of Orchestras In New York And Beyond, Has Died

12:06pm December 19, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Kurt Masur, the German conductor whose career spanned from leading an orchestra in East Germany to more than a decade of reshaping the New York Philharmonic, has died at age 88.

Carlos Aguilera recently discussed how he played the saxophone during surgery to remove a brain tumor at Regional Hospital of Malaga, in Andalusia, Spain.

Brain Surgery Serenade: Man Plays Saxophone During Tumor Removal

8:57am December 19, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Partially sedated, Spanish musician Carlos Aguilera played "Misty" and read sheet music to help neurosurgeoons preserve his talents.

Music & Culture

Old Hits, New Twists On Count Basie Orchestra's New Holiday Album

8:04am December 19, 2015

The legendary Count Basie Orchestra has a new album of holiday music. It features new takes on some old hits. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with lead trumpeter Scott Barnhart about "A Very Swingin' Basie Chirstmas."

Icelandic band Samaris played one of KEXP's favorite in-studio sessions of 2015.

Music & Culture

Watch Public Radio's Favorite Sessions Of 2015

8:00am December 19, 2015

Public radio stations filmed thousands of performances this year. Here are a dozen favorites.

The Neuroscience Of Musical Perception, Bass Guitars And Drake

7:00am December 19, 2015

by Bret Stetka

Recent research hints at how the human brain is uniquely able to recognize and enjoy music. Timing in your brain is nearly everything.

Music & Culture

Latitudes: 10 Favorite Global Music Picks From 2015

6:24am December 19, 2015

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

This year, a plethora of mind-bendingly, cross-culturally deep albums and singles sparked our international music critic's imagination.

Gregory Porter and René Marie perform with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Music & Culture

Jazz At Lincoln Center Celebrates 'Big Band Holidays'

5:44pm December 18, 2015

To ring in the season, we cozy up with members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra — and hear both their original arrangements and favorite holiday memories.

Music & Culture

Rickie Lee Jones On World Cafe

5:31pm December 18, 2015

Hear songs from The Other Side of Desire, Jones' first new album of original material since 2003.

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Human Interest

Music And Learning Differences: Ken Brown

4:11pm December 18, 2015

Radio Camper Jessi Denny talks to Ken Brown. Brown is a guitar performer, instructor, and composer. He uses his music and psychology degrees to teach guitar to all learners.

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Music & Culture

From Hip-Hop To Country, Critic Ken Tucker Assesses The Best Of 2015

2:54pm December 18, 2015

by Ken Tucker

Rock Critic Ken Tucker presents his playlist for 2015, which includes the Alabama Shakes, Bruno Mars and Ashley Monroe, among others. For reading pleasure, he suggests Real Life Rock, by Greil Marcus.

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