Author: Justin Bowers

The self-described “surreal blues poet” savors the significance of words and the noisy poetry of city life.

In The Listeners, a seductive cult leader and an unexplainable noise divides an innocent community and warps reality. Mazzoli’s opera receives its U.S. premiere in Philadelphia.

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.

NPR’s A Martínez speaks with Bryce Dessner, a member of the rock band The National, about his classical music debut. The album — “Solos” — comes out Friday on Sony Classical.

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.

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.

About 25 years ago, the acclaimed cellist asked a high school student to help him name his instrument. He brings his cello — aka “Petunia” — to the Fresh Air studio for music and conversation.

Gathering music, new and old, from around the world, the thoughtful pianist finds the core of humanity amid the chaos.

Let the new music sextet yMusic serenade you with a light-as-air track from a forthcoming album.

Terence Blanchard made history last season when his opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones was the first work by a Black composer staged by the Metropolitan Opera. And the Met has asked for more.