Deep Cuts

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.

Listen as Lumina performs three rare, early-American hymns during a recent recording session at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Paul.

For Women's History Month, we're highlighting composers, conductors and performers who have helped shape the face of classical music. Here are 10 contemporary women composers whom you should add to your music rotation.

The newly opened National Museum of African American Music in Nashville guides guests on a path through the history and significance of music from the African diaspora, including classical music.

"Classical music has a problem with race," Philip Ewell says. The New York City associate music professor speaks widely on that topic and what it means for classical music in the future.

Jason Max Ferdinand drew from the success of his acclaimed choir, the Aeolians, to create a guide that combines sound choral concepts with awareness for social justice issues.

Researchers are still digging into the question and sharing their findings decades after the Nazis sacked the homes of Jews during World War II.

Plagues and epidemics are ages-old phenomena. They've triggered both fear and inspiration. NPR's Tom Huizenga surveys musical responses from composers over the centuries.

Brain scans show that when people listen to songs, an area in the left hemisphere decodes speech-like sounds while one on the right processes musical information.

Here at Classical MPR and American Public Media, we each have our own opinions about what is the most romantic instrument. Here's the input from current and former members of our classical staff.