The holiday concert season hits its peak this week. Check out these highlights from around New York, from the perennial Nutcracker to gospel sounds and more alternative fare.

The young French pianist David Fray is fast gaining notice for his charismatic, sometimes eccentric performances of Bach and Schubert. Just don't compare him to Glenn Gould.

Russian pianist Alexei Lubimov recently performed the complete Schubert Impromptus as part of Lincoln Center's White Light Festival. Listen to the full recital on demand. 

New York Public Radio's resident oboist picks his favorite works for the instrument.

Henryk Górecki, a once obscure Polish composer who went on to become an international crossover phenomenon, has died in Katowice, Poland. He was 76.

Orchestras have been slow to catch on to the HD broadcast phenomenon, partly due to the costs but also because the medium requires something more visually compelling than 90 people wearing black and sitting down.

Two WQXR and Q2 programs, Q2 with Terrance McKnight and Nadia Sirota on Q2, have won the prestigious 2010 ASCAP Deems Taylor Radio Broadcast Award.

In this 1993 edition of WNYC's New York and Company, the late singer Shirley Verrett looks back on her remarkable and varied career in the opera world. Plus: Midge Woolsey on Verrett.

With the holiday season around the corner, many Americans are planning their charitable giving. One new study conducted by Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy finds that household giving to the arts among rich Americans has risen slightly, from an average of $4,958 in 2007 to $5,531 in 2009. However, that amount is down sharply from 2005, when the average wealthy household gave $17,498 inflation-adjusted dollars.

Blonde, slim and stylish, Alison Balsom is a far cry from the traditional image of brass players. As we feature her album of Italian Baroque concertos, we asked her about the culture of brass playing – and being more than a pretty CD cover.

The violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter has been named musician of the year by Musical America, the music industry "bible." Other winners include the composer Thomas Adès and baritone Simon Keenlyside.

Douglas Quint leads a double life. During the summer, he’s the face of the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, making soft-serve concoctions with some unlikely ingredients. Come November, he's a professional bassoonist.

Last week, we asked you to vote for your favorite woodwind instrument...

Whether running 26.2 miles through the streets of New York or battling it out with the eliptical trainer at your gym, classical music can play the role of energizer and motivator. Here are a dozen pieces that can stir the senses as you perform bold and daring athletic acts.

Shirley Verrett, the American opera singer known for her powerful, dark voice, exceptional range and riveting characterizations, died Friday.

Arguably the world's best-known clarinetist, Richard Stoltzman tells Jeff Spurgeon about his early days with the freewheeling chamber group TASHI, his idols including Benny Goodman, and some of his favorite works for the clarinet.

Back by popular demand, host Naomi Lewin gives us a preview of the pumpkin pie that will be on her table for this year's Thanksgiving feast.

The iconclastic pianist, author and scholar Charles Rosen talks with us about his far-reaching career, his love of Chopin, and the future of classical music.

When a singer at the Metropolitan Opera forgets a line, they turn to one of five full-time prompters, individuals who serve as safety nets and who possess unheralded and truly hidden talents.