WRTI Picks from NPR Music

The versatile composer, violinist and vocalist is one of just a handful of female musicians to earn the prize — and, at age 30, the youngest music winner ever.

The Smithsonian Museum of American History kickstarted its annual campaign with a day of performances and discussions. In a morning ceremony, drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and pianist Randy Weston officially donated artifacts from their personal collections.

Fans of the AMC series know it uses pop music as well as any TV show. But Don Draper's world has its classical corners, too. In the the sixth season's opening episode, Chopin played a key role — as Beethoven had done in the previous season.

From the radiant voices of a Latvian choir to a fresh young string quartet and a seasoned symphony, NPR's Tom Huizenga and host Jacki Lyden spin an eclectic mix of new classical releases.

The country's jazz scene is young, but it's hit the world stage quickly thanks in large part to public funding. For Norwegian musicians, it literally pays to dream big — and to write lots of grant applications.

The story of how legendary violinist Bronisław Huberman used his prestige and fame toward a heroic end inspired a documentary film. See the trailer and learn more about the founding of what became the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Winter Morning Walks, an album featuring jazz composer Maria Schneider and soprano Dawn Upshaw, revolves around meditations on nature and beauty by former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser. All three artists have had battles with cancer — when, Schneider says, "everything in life becomes heightened."

With Passover beginning, Jews around the world prepared to commemorate this major holiday with food, prayers and songs. We're on the hunt for music that helps spool out stories of enslavement and liberation.

The mezzo-soprano with the smoky, sultry voice defined Carmen for generations — and earned Hollywood fame at the prime of her career. Stevens died Wednesday at 99.

Pretty much the first thing that New York's Cardinal Egan shared about the new pointiff, the former Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires? That he loves opera.