Featured Item

Chilean Birdsong to Drone Aircraft: Bang on a Can All-Stars' 'More Field Recordings'

At times intense, unsettling and raw, the Bang on a Can All-Stars’ new release "More Field Recordings," is a shadowy sequel to their charming and equally substantial 2015 album. Nov 27, 2017

New Sounds Live /

Listen: Xiu Xiu and Mantra Percussion Premiere 'Extinction Meditation'

On April 2, the post-punk duo Xiu Xiu and Mantra Percussion premiered a multi-movement work about impending environmental apocalypse as part of the Ecstatic Music Festival. Listen now. Apr 8, 2015
Concerts from the Library of Congress /

Listen: JACK Quartet Premieres 'Contritus' by Caleb Burhans

The JACK Quartet gives the world premiere of Caleb Burhans's "Contritus" in this archival performance from the Library of Congress. Apr 8, 2015
Meet the Composer /

Announcing Season Two of Meet the Composer

Announcing five more episodes of the radio show about today's exciting, dynamic and all-around inspiring composers, with host Nadia Sirota. Help fund Season Two today via Kickstarter. Apr 7, 2015
Q2 Music Featured Album /

Royal String Quartet Brings Verve and Polish to Szymański and Mykietyn

The Royal String Quartet from Poland delivers a fine collection of works by contemporary countrymen Paweł Szymański and Paweł Mykietyn. Listen to the full album. Apr 6, 2015
Concerts from the Library of Congress /

Listen: Lalo Schifrin Premiere by the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt

The Haydn Trio Einstadt gives the US premiere of Lalo Schifrin's "Elegy and Meditation" in this archival performance from the Library of Congress. Apr 6, 2015
Kickstart Season Two of Meet the Composer with Nadia Sirota

Support five more episodes of the radio show about today's exciting, dynamic and all-around inspiring composers, with host Nadia Sirota. Help fund Season Two today via Kickstarter. Apr 6, 2015
Q2 Music Featured Album /

Clarinetist Martin Fröst Displays a Dancer's Virtuosity in 'Nordic Concertos'

The clarinet is lucky to have Martin Fröst, a musical showman who has produced handsome recordings of works new and old. Stream his latest album "Nordic Concertos" all week. Mar 30, 2015
The Brothers Balliett /

Who Exactly is Saying That A Mass Has to Have Words?

More and more composers are retaining the old, beautiful, ritualistic form of the liturgical Mass, but jettisoning certain aspects to keep it fresh. Like, for instance, the words. Mar 26, 2015
WQXR Editorial /

National Recording Registry Adds Joan Tower's Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman

Joan Tower's cheekily provocative responses to Aaron Copland are now preserved in the National Recording Registry. Mar 25, 2015
Mixtapes /

A Taste of San Francisco's Switchboard Music Festival

San Francisco's Switchboard Music Festival brings together an eclectic mix of mostly local new-music makers for one day each April. The curators offer a sneak listen of what to expect. Mar 25, 2015