200 years ago Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was first performed in Vienna
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, was the final complete symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven, composed between 1822 and 1824.
Music & Culture
Tiny Desk Premiere: Kiefer
With decades clocked behind the piano and a strong catalog, Kiefer Shackelford is primed for this moment.
Madonna draws 1.6 million fans to Brazilian beach
The last show of the pop icon's "Celebration" retrospective tour brought over a million and a half fans to Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana Beach on Saturday night.
Lou Reed issued one of the most puzzling albums in rock history in 1975
Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music was more than an hour of feedback and noise with no noticeable structure. A new tribute album called Metal Machine Muzak interprets the spirit behind that work.
8 Tracks: No beef, just a Madlib beat
Madlib's music feels like a magic trick. On this edition of 8 Tracks, we bow down to Madlib's mastery, plus check out new music by Charly Bliss, Fana Hues and reminisce on an old Ted Leo record.
Madonna just gave the biggest live performance of her career
The concert was the final stop of Madonna's "Celebration Tour, and tickets were free. It was on Saturday at Brazil's Copacabana Beach. About 1.6 million people were there to cherish the event.
Jeff Beal's new collection of solo piano work speaks to living with multiple sclerosis
NPR's Scott Simon talks with composer Jeff Beal about his new collection of solo piano works, "The New York Etudes," and about living and working with multiple sclerosis.
Madonna will perform at Rio's Copacabana beach to close out her tour
Over a million fans are expected to turn up on Rio's famous Copacabana beach Saturday for Madonna's end-of-tour mega concert.
On 'Here in the Pitch,' Jessica Pratt's pop seduces listeners into a Los Angeles noir
The singer-songwriter's fourth album is her best yet, with crisp, commanding songwriting, shades of '60s baroque pop and melodies that seem to have existed forever.
Blues legend Sugar Pie DeSanto reflects on decades of being on stage
Peylia Marsema Balinton — better known as blues singer Sugar Pie DeSanto — talks to her longtime manager Jim Moore. At 86 years old, she is about to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.