Found sound is a staple of some experimental music that ends up in clubs and galleries, and other alternative spaces. But on a recent Friday, Magnus Lindberg, the New York Philharmonic's composer in residence, and several percussionists, were scouring a salvage yard on Staten Island for local junk that will be played at Avery Fisher Hall in October.

The California-based choral composer Eric Whitacre is searching for hundreds of singers in a record-breaking attempt to form the the world's largest online choir.

A violinist who runs a community music school in Providence, R.I., and an eclectic jazz pianist and composer are among the 23 recipients of this year's MacArthur Foundation "genius grants."

Times Square has its colorful characters, but they were no match for the primeval collection of gods, nymphs and dwarves found in Wagner's Das Rheingold, which was transmitted live there Monday night.

Zarin Mehta, the president and executive director of the New York Philharmonic, has announced he will step down at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Tonight's gala opening of Wagner's Das Rheingold launches the biggest production in the Metropolitan Opera's history. Although the entire run is sold out, there are other ways to experience the opera.

Tonight at 7 pm, a one-hour special on what some claim to be "The Greatest Work of Art Ever." We explore how the grandeur and power of Wagner's monumental 'Ring' has permeated our culture.

Two concerts by the New York Philharmonic in the Republic of Georgia have been called off after the country cited unexpected budgetary constraints. The performances were to have taken place October 21 and 22.

Twenty-eight years after his death, pianist Glenn Gould still inspires, or provokes, interest. Genius Within, a new film documentary, explores his eccentric genius.

Slideshow: On a picture-perfect Wednesday morning, the WQXR team traveled to Lincoln Center Plaza to broadcast live in anticipation of the New York Philharmonic's opening-night gala concert.

Former tobacco executive Charles R. Wall is stepping in as chairman of New York City Opera, replacing Susan L. Baker, who has resigned.

Jascha Heifetz and Fritz Kreisler, two of the 20th century's great violinists, were the subject of special birthday tributes on WQXR. For our series ViolinFest, we've scoured the vaults to offer these special archival recordings.

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.