Music

Music & Culture

Beethoven's Life, Liberty And Pursuit Of Enlightenment

7:31am December 17, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

Growing up in a progressive city, Ludwig van Beethoven embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment, the philosophical movement that shook Europe and helped shape the composer's music.

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Hanson performs a Tiny Desk concert on Sept. 25, 2017 (Christina Ascani/NPR).

Music & Culture

Tiny Desk Playlist: The Holiday Concerts

5:00am December 17, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

From Sharon Jones to Amy Grant, 'tis the season to revisit our best seasonal Tiny Desk performances.

Students rehearse outdoors at The Roots of Music. The education nonprofit has kept its marching band going throughout the pandemic and resumed in-person rehearsal over the summer.

Music & Culture

In New Orleans, Music Education Programs Cautiously Fall Back In Step

7:49pm December 16, 2020

by Aubri Juhasz

After months of silence, music programs are attempting to resume limited in-person rehearsals at NOLA public schools, where the stakes go far beyond what kids do with their after-school time.

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Like every other form of information, music reached people in 2020 through static-filled channels, distorted, muffled, feeding back.

Music & Culture

Diary Of A Fugue Year

5:05pm December 16, 2020

by Ann Powers

Is it possible to hear the music of 2020 without getting lost in the noise? NPR Music's critic Ann Powers studies a year during which nearly everything about loving music was turned upside down.

Chicago singer Jamila Woods performed "Eartha" for a KCRW Live Session.

Music & Culture

NPR Music's Best Live Sessions of 2020

2:42pm December 16, 2020

The best Live Sessions of 2020 feature performances from Jamila Woods, Anjimile, Tyler Childers, Soccer Mommy, Arlo Parks and many more.

Music & Culture

Dust-To-Digital Producers On Curating And Showcasing 'Harry Smith B-Sides'

1:36pm December 16, 2020

by Sam Briger

Music producers Lance and April Ledbetter talk about curating their new anthology, which collects the flip sides of the 78s Smith chose for his 1952 Anthology of American Folk Music.

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Charley Pride left behind a complex legacy and rich body of work that deserves closer listening.

Music & Culture

There's Only One Charley Pride

11:57am December 16, 2020

by Jewly Hight

Charley Pride was a symbol, ancestor and influence. But the country singer was also a master interpreter of song, his warm baritone attuned to deep emotion.

Dua Lipa performs onstage for the 2020 American Music Awards. Her album, Future Nostalgia, ranks second on Ken Tucker's list of his favorite albums of 2020.

Music & Culture

A Year Like No Other: Ken Tucker Picks 10 Albums That Made An Art Of Escapism

11:53am December 16, 2020

by Ken Tucker

The pandemic, along with unprecedented political and social upheaval, created a year in which listeners sought to be transported. Enter these 10 albums. At the top of the list: X's Alphabetland.

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A toy reindeer is shown on a white background. Radio stations, looking to boost ratings and provide comfort in a pandemic-marred year, started playing songs as early as July. And listeners loved it.

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

7:26am December 16, 2020

by Jim Zarroli

Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.

Jan Vogler and Alessio Bax plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Jan Vogler And Alessio Bax: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am December 16, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

Join cellist Jan Vogler and pianist Alessio Bax at the "doctor's office," where they make the case for Beethoven as the liberator of the cello by playing music from his cello sonatas.