Good to Know

The lilting music of the waltz has long been associated with ringing in the new year — and not just in classical music. Here’s why — along with a playlist for your New Year’s Eve party, including plenty of tunes by ‘Waltz King’ Johann Strauss Jr.

André 3000’s ‘New Black Sun,’ released 17 years after his previous album, has no lyrics — but it does have plenty of jazzy flute. He’s not the first popular artist to incorporate the instrument. Here are 10 more great flute champions in pop and rock music, besides André 3000.

To accompany Bradley Cooper’s new film, ‘Maestro,’ in which he embodies the legendary Leonard Bernstein, we offer 10 of the composer/conductor’s great recordings.

We asked listeners to tell us their favorite film scores. Dim the lights, grab some popcorn and read on for their top 25 selections in movie music.

What's the difference between violin playing and fiddling? Daniel Johnson explains.

It was not long after Beethoven's death that people began to talk about "three periods" in his music. Despite the obvious simplifications involved, this division continues to be used and discussed today.

As instruments, human voices are uniquely capable of combining to create sounds ranging from the soaring glory of Samuel Barber’s ‘Agnus Dei’ to the raw power of Verdi’s ‘Requiem,’ while expanding and interpreting the poetry of the piece being sung. Listen to these 10 great works and and experience that whole spectrum of sound!

You might spend your Labor Day at a cookout or a mattress sale, or packing away your flip-flops. But maybe you just want to relax and contemplate the meaning behind the holiday. Listen to these works celebrating workers.

Verdi imagined each of his operas painted with a different tincture. Conductor Riccardo Chailly puts together an exciting new album of Verdi's choruses, from his best known to his most obscure.

Jon Kimura Parker shares his passion for Sergei Rachmaninoff's 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini' with YourClassical MPR host Melissa Ousley. Find out what makes this well-loved classical piece tick.