From the World of Classical Music
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Rapper RZA, who helped launch the Wu-Tang Clan hip-hop group in the 1990s, tries his hand in classical music by composing for a ballet inspired by Greek musical scales during the pandemic. -
A box set featuring previously unreleased recordings sheds new light on the life and legacy of Paul Robeson, a bass-baritone concert artist, actor, professional football player and activist. -
As music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Heyward is the youngest to lead a major American orchestra and the first Black music director in the organization’s 107-year history.
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A new album from the guitarist for the rock band The National spotlights pieces he’s written for friends like Katia Labèque, Colin Currie and Pekka Kuusisto. -
The rising young pianist, from a family of seven musical siblings, offers dynamic music by brother and sister Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. -
Three years ago, a group of young musicians from Afghanistan and their teachers fled Kabul to remake their lives as a community in northern Portugal. Now, they are touring the U.S. -
The revered interdisciplinary artist, now in her 80s, remains vigorous and regards the joy of curiosity as the key to staying young. -
The principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra radiates an empathetic, Yoda-like wisdom when it comes to conjuring beautiful sounds from both pros and students.
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The versatile singer, who emphasizes self-acceptance, says his mission is to be a bridge from the classical community to pop, jazz and R&B. And if you’re not a fan, that’s okay.
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![Beethoven, (1936). German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), one of the most recognised and influential of western composers. From "Bilder Deutscher Geschichte", (Pictures of German History), No.12, cigarette card album. [Cigaretten-Bilderdienst, Altona-Bahrenfeld, Hamburg, Germany, 1936]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector via Getty Images)](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/41b765b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5090x2836+0+721/resize/280x156!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnpr.brightspotcdn.com%2Fdims3%2Fdefault%2Fstrip%2Ffalse%2Fcrop%2F5090x4278%200%200%2Fresize%2F5090x4278%21%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc9%2Ffe%2F3d2d208e4d57844018ec24a6c598%2Fgettyimages-1160951840.jpg)
Virtuosic pianist and composer Beethoven suffered from several debilitating ailments. A new study suggests lead poisoning may be at least partly to blame.
![Beethoven, (1936). German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), one of the most recognised and influential of western composers. From "Bilder Deutscher Geschichte", (Pictures of German History), No.12, cigarette card album. [Cigaretten-Bilderdienst, Altona-Bahrenfeld, Hamburg, Germany, 1936]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector via Getty Images)](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/96f4478/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5090x2836+0+721/resize/560x312!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnpr.brightspotcdn.com%2Fdims3%2Fdefault%2Fstrip%2Ffalse%2Fcrop%2F5090x4278%200%200%2Fresize%2F5090x4278%21%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc9%2Ffe%2F3d2d208e4d57844018ec24a6c598%2Fgettyimages-1160951840.jpg)
Thank you to all who contributed during our 2024 spring campaign.
You hear some of the world's most amazing examples of musical collaboration here on a daily, even hourly basis. You also make magic happen when you come together with us. Your financial support helps bring the music on WEMC to life. If you didn't get a chance to give, it's never too late to support this great music.
You hear some of the world's most amazing examples of musical collaboration here on a daily, even hourly basis. You also make magic happen when you come together with us. Your financial support helps bring the music on WEMC to life. If you didn't get a chance to give, it's never too late to support this great music.
An hour of classical music, featuring live performances from local organizations around our listening area, every Sunday and Tuesday at 7pm, and Thursday at 1pm.
Bob's Record Shelf presents a wide range of composers for the classical music lover, every Monday evening on WEMC from 7 pm to 10 pm.
Heifetz On Air presents captivating performances by Heifetz International Music Institute students, alums, and faculty, every Tuesday at 1pm and Friday at 7pm.
Sing It! is a mostly contemplative, mostly unaccompanied choral music program. Each week, host Kimberlea Daggy chooses from the treasure trove of choral music that spans the centuries, from pieces created a millennium ago to works written today. Hear music that soothes the soul and feeds the spirit.