In over a decade, the Imani Winds have expanded the woodwind quintet repertoire well beyond its traditional roots to encompass jazz, Latin, and crossover works. For their latest album, Terra Incognita, the quintet tackles works by three preeminent jazz composers: Jason Moran, Paquito D’Rivera and Wayne Shorter.

In this 1999 interview on WNYC's New York & Company, Stern talks with Leonard Lopate about his autobiography, My First 79 Years.

Why does the violin world provide such rich fodder for crime writers? Behind the fictional world of legendary instruments and the characters who deal them, steal them, and even kill for them.

After a gruelingly hot summer, New York's classical musicians are back to refresh and renew. Here are 20 selections from the fall's orchestral, vocal, chamber music and opera lineups.

Even people who know nothing about the violin know the name of its most famous maker: Stradivarius. But don't count out the Guarneri family. Violinist Renaud Capuçon tells Jeff Spurgeon about the differences.

As WQXR previews the fall season, our hosts-about-town reveal some of what they're looking forward to.

Fall is a time when New York puts its best foot forward. From September 22-29, WQXR tells you what you need to know about the 2010 fall season, series by series, venue by venue.

Ottorino Respighi's symphonic poem Pines of Rome presents a sonic picture of pine trees throughout the city at different times of the day, like a sonic version of Monet's haystacks.

Throughout Fall Preview Week, WQXR will be offering special tickets, recordings and other items. Listen each day for your chance to win.

Saturday we mark the 9/11 anniversary with a special morning of music. Tune in from 7 a.m. to 12 noon to hear music inspired by 9/11, pieces that explore the concept of mourning and loss, and works that typify the New York spirit.

Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings is a piece of music frequently chosen to mark occasions of public mourning, including the funerals of F.D.R., J.F.K. and memorial concerts in the wake of 9/11.

Does the secret to the pristine sound of an 18th century violin lie in the density of its wood? Probably not. But it's among the intriguing questions raised by a recent scientific study of the Vieuxtemps, an instrument described as the "Mona Lisa of violins."

On Saturday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 6, WQXR kicks off our month-long ViolinFest by featuring 15 violin concertos that we consider essential. Tune in throughout Labor Day weekend to hear these pillars of the violin repertoire. Here we've included a suggested recording of each of the concertos. Tell us about your favorite violin concerto, your favorite recordings, and what we're missing.

The exuberant Lang Lang is the latest in a long line of pianists known for their flamboyance. Here are four other examples.

Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski spoke with WQXR's Naomi Lewin. Hear more about his homeland, how New York inspires his performances, and his unusual musical route to piano stardom -- via the accordion.

The Naumburg Bandshell is one of New York City’s great cultural icons. Midge Woolsey recently spoke to Christopher London, great-grandson of the bandshell donor Elkan Naumburg, about his hopes for the preservation of the bandshell.

Symphony and opera conductor Sir Charles Mackerras died on Wednesday of cancer at 84 years old. Anne Midgette, Classical Music Critic for The Washington Post, reflects on Mackerras's life and greatest achievements.

Branford Marsalis spoke with Jeff Spurgeon ahead of his performance with the New York Philharmonic in Central Park. Hear his thoughts on working with the Philharmonic and the composers whose music he will be performing and get his take on the difference between the jazz and classical disciplines.

Pianist Lang Lang speaks with Midge Woolsey about the Shanghai Symphony's historic performance in Central Park, what it's like to work in New York and his recording of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.