Composing music is a solitary process, but performing these award-winning pieces means getting people in the same room, even if it's a virtual one.

In the midst of frustration and dread — his world falling apart — something planted itself in the back of Justin Sherburn's mind. A seed of an idea that wouldn’t bloom until months later.

A simple piece that composer Malek Jandali wrote in 2011 became inextricable from the early protests in Syria. For a decade now, that connection has informed and invigorated his life and work.

"Suite for Variety Orchestra" serves as "a reminder to feel joy and mischief during a time when maybe we feel guilty for doing so," classical music opinionator Fran Hoepfner says.

The young, late-comer to opera is turning heads in the classical world with a powerful voice that can rocket over huge orchestras or pare down to a silvery thread.

The lautenwerck, an instrument like a lute and a harpsichord, almost went extinct in the 19th century, but forensic musicologists are bringing it back to life.

Composer Angélica Negrón collaborates with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Sasha Velour on a 10-minute film featuring original music, in a project for Opera Philadelphia.

The gifted conductor who had wielded immense influence in the classical music world, was publicly accused by nine men of sexual abuse. He died March 9 at age 77 of natural causes.

The Toki School of Music is the brainchild of pianist Mahani Teave, who gave up a promising international career to return to Easter Island to teach children.

NPR's Rachel Martin spoke to the pianist about Phenomenal Women,the most recent mini-album in the series, in which Downes re-recorded the work of some deeply impactful female composers.