Mar 17th, 2010 · The jazz pianist has improvised around Beatles songs. He's written works for operatic soprano Renee Fleming. And now, with his new double album, Highway Rider, he's created a large-scale work for chamber orchestra and jazz ensemble, produced by pop artist Jon Brion.
Mar 15th, 2010 · Adam Neiman lets his fingers do the talking, tearing into the dramatic Ballade No. 4 by Chopin. The young American pianist says the music tells a story that's both ferocious and tender. Neiman also plays a piece of his own in NPR's studio.
Mar 12th, 2010 · The pianist and singer has sold more jazz records in the U.K. than any other British artist. His latest album, The Pursuit, features original songs, jazz standards and pop covers.
Mar 12th, 2010 · The singer and pianist began his musical study as a percussionist, but shifted to the piano after Ellis Marsalis overheard him tinkering at the keys. Today, the Loston Harris Trio is a mainstay of the Bemelmans Bar at Manhattan's Carlyle Hotel. On this episode of Piano Jazz, Harris and guest host Michael Feinstein sit down to discuss the cabaret tradition — and, of course, play a few tunes.
Mar 3rd, 2010 · Author Nadine Cohodas has written a new biography of singer Nina Simone. It's called Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone, and it tells the story of the singer's evolution from classical pianist to civil rights icon. Read about Simone's musical beginnings in an excerpt from the book here.
Mar 2nd, 2010 · Chopin had the courage to believe that the expression contained in a three-minute Mazurka for solo piano could be as powerful as the expression in an entire four-hour Wagner opera. Hear pianist and composer Rob Kapilow, and radio host Fred Child, explain what makes Chopin great.
Mar 1st, 2010 · All this year, NPR Music is celebrating the 200th birthday of pianist Frederic Chopin. We feature one of his impromptus, performed by pianist Yundi Li. Also on the show: a welcoming piece from Joanna Newsom's new triple-length album; the stunning arrangements of Owen Pallett; Pantha du Prince's minimal electronic music; hard-hitting soul from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings; and a cut from The White Stripes' live concert documentary.
Feb 28th, 2010 · What's not to love about Chopin? Perhaps even more than the works of Bach and Mozart, Chopin's music is almost universally admired — by pianists, by critics, and by people who know nothing about classical music. Hear some of NPR contributors' favorite performances of music by Chopin on the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth.