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Hear an excerpt of MacArthur "genius" cellist Alisa Weilerstein's excellent pairing of the Elgar Cello Concerto — recorded with Daniel Barenboim, whose late wife Jacqueline Du Pre's name was synonymous with this piece— and the cello concerto by Elliott Carter, who died yesterday at 103.

From the versatility of the violin to the virtuosity of a mysterious opera composer, NPR's Tom Huizenga and host Guy Raz spin an eclectic set of the year's best classical recordings.

Starting in the 1920s, Hawkins made an afterthought of an instrument into one of the sounds we most identify with jazz. He also straddled the era of big band swing and later developments like bebop. Here are five songs that illustrate his genius.

Reedman Paquito D'Rivera called him "the most beloved jazz musician in the world." Naturally, a lot of fellow musicians are lining up to pay tribute to the man during a jazz festival named in Moody's honor. Here's a chance to explore their connections to the great saxophonist.

Hear a celebrated mezzo-soprano sing an aria from her exceptional new recording of Baroque opera selections, ranging from Handel and Haydn to nearly forgotten — but fiery and fabulous — arias by composers including Orlandini and Giacomelli.

Ravi Shankar was not just an ambassador for Indian culture. He was an intrepid musical explorer who as a teenager heard Cab Calloway and who created collaborations with artists ranging from George Harrison to Yehudi Menuhin to Philip Glass. Hear five Shankar collaborations you must know.

The 20-minute track, from an upcoming collection of remixed Philip Glass tunes, celebrates the avant-garde composer's 75th birthday.

The founder of Naxos has upended the classical music industry since starting his label 25 years ago. Hear the music he chose to tell the Naxos story.

Hear this youthful group bring a 21st-century spin to a capella singing on their debut album, featuring new music by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs and other exciting contemporary composers.

From the mid-'50s to 1990, the drummer's band served as a finishing school for elite jazz musicians. Here are five of the distinguished alumni of Blakey's university of the streets, including Horace Silver, Terence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter.