The San Francisco Ballet Orchestra has a new recording that pairs Léo Delibes's Coppélia and Sylvia, shedding new light on these vivid and tuneful ballet scores.

Alison Balsom already has a greatest-hits album under her belt. The 33-year-old English trumpeter performs arrangements by the likes of Bach, Debussy and Piazzolla, plus contemporary works and traditional numbers.

The 19-year-old English pianist Benjamin Grosvenor artfully pairs the scherzos and nocturnes of Chopin with Ravel and a late gem by Liszt in this unusual collection.

Poor Verdi never thought too highly of ballet music. He had to write this "silly music," forced by the Paris Opera requirement for a major ballet scene in every work. A new recording makes a new case for its merits.

The New York chamber orchestra The Knights juxtaposes works by Schubert with those by Philip Glass, Morton Feldman and Erik Satie. Discover more and get a free download of Satie's Gymnopédie No. 2.

Bummed you missed Bach's birthday last Wednesday? Listen to our new Album of the Week, in which violinist Anne Akiko Meyers plays both solo parts on Bach's Double Concerto, one on each of her two prized Strads.

Baroque orchestra Tafelmusik has released a CD and DVD set of their multimedia show that celebrates Galileo Galilei’s inventions through music, space images and narration. Get a free download.

24-year-old Norwegian trumpeter explores her instrument's expressive, melodic potential with “Storyteller,” a collection of songs about love and loss.

Handel or Vivaldi indicates that the stuffed shirts have arrived, Beethoven's “Ode to Joy” announces that Armageddon may be just around the corner and Wagner is a sure sign that big trouble's brewing.

After recordings of Romantic blockbusters and modern works, violinist Nicola Benedetti shifts gears for her latest album, a collection of Baroque concertos and chamber pieces by Vivaldi, Tartini and Veracini.

Brooklyn pianist Simone Dinnerstein returns to a specialty for her latest album: the music of J.S. Bach. Also featured are Schubert's Four Impromptus, Op. 90.

The Canadian Brass ushers in its 42nd year of performing with "Takes Flight," its first album featuring a retooled lineup. Listen to Jeff Spurgeon's interview and get a free download.

Many would consider Fritz Kriesler to be the greatest violinist of the 20th Century. With his immediately recognizable honey tone, the Viennese stylist played with an unparalleled charm and sensuality.

In three significant French sonatas the violinist and pianist deliver performances of great elegance, poise and virtuosity.

The Italian period ensemble Accademia Bizantina presents 19 instrumental movements from Bach’s cantatas, many of which contained themes that were recycled from elsewhere.

In the world of classical music, John Rutter is Mr. Christmas: the most celebrated and commercially successful carol composer alive. A new collection features many of his arrangements.

Long Island pianist Jeffrey Biegel offers a collection of 21 glowing arrangements of carols, winter melodies and evocative new pieces. Get a free download.

WQXR For the Holidays is a chance to put our own curatorial stamp on the concept of the holiday album. It’s a collection of carols, songs and classical Christmas pieces presented in glowing arrangements.

The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, a leading period-instrument ensemble from Germany, presents Bach's Orchestral Suites in crisp, nimble and gutsy performances. Get a free download.