The Lithuanian composer, now based in New York, creates layered, deliberate music that she hopes will grant listeners the freedom to enter an altered state of mind.


Meet Žibuoklė Martinaitytė, the composer who wants to get inside your head

At age 60, the Mexican composer has finally won the recognition she deserves, with new recordings, prestigious residencies and a star conductor championing her music.


It's time to listen to the bold music of Gabriela Ortiz

The venerated string quartet makes a stop on its 50th anniversary tour to play music from the dawn of the string quartet era right up to the present.


Takács Quartet performs a Tiny Desk Concert as part of its 50th anniversary tour

The 12th-century abbess, scientist and composer inspires new interpretations of her music, and new works, on an album spotlighting soprano Barbara Hannigan.


Under the spell of Hildegard: A new album reboots ancient music

As one of the most-performed living composers, the Pulitzer winner insists that her music communicate to everyone — from farmers to children to the classical music intelligentsia.


Jennifer Higdon won't apologize for writing accessible music

From plumbing pipes and rice bowls to vibraphones and one big bass drum, Sandbox Percussion makes mesmerizing music that you have to see to believe.


Sandbox Percussion performs a rhythmically-adventurous Tiny Desk Concert

The soprano and her pianist husband offer a deeply considered look at the human condition through seven distinct songs.


Julia Bullock and Christian Reif perform their Tiny Desk Concert

The famed Frenchman brings all his elegance and colorful playing to music by Ravel, Brahms and Villa-Lobos.


Jean-Yves Thibaudet: Tiny Desk Concert

The 88-year-old composer, who talks as fast as the interlocking phrases of his music, looks back on crucial moments in a career that moved minimalism into the mainstream.


Steve Reich has always been able to hear the pulse

One of the first modern women composers to reach international acclaim, Gubaidulina wrote bold music, inspired by Eastern and Western philosophies, and the joy of sound itself.


Tom Huizenga

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