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Before the Chiefs face the 49ers this Sunday at the Super Bowl, hands will be placed over hearts as Reba McEntire sings the national anthem. Learn more about the history of this musical tradition from some Kansas City musicians who have taken to the field to perform themselves.
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This week, we explore what could have been - and what is - with Franz Schubert's "Unfinished" symphony and a late 20th century sonic exploration of New York City by Aaron Jay Kernis. We'll also hear two of the best loved orchestral showpieces for violin: Max Bruch's Concerto No. 1 featuring a young Benjamin Beilman, and Édouard Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole" featuring Joshua Bell.
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Danielle Nicole, Kansas City's most popular blues artist, is proud of how far she's come. She's releasing her 10th album — and this time, she owns her music. Plus: Will Kansas ever legalize marijuana?
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Every Monday for 25 years, a group of Kansas City musicians has gathered for the Rural Grit Happy Hour, a showcase of American roots music. Four days of shows are scheduled this weekend for the quarter-century anniversary.
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In this program, we'll hear music composed by three modern American composers, each from a different generation: Quinn Mason's "Joyous Trilogy," Jessie Montgomery's "Banner" and Richard Danilepour's tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. "From the Mountaintop" featuring clarinetist Anthony McGill. To close, the Kansas City Symphony brings to life Franz Schubert's song-like "Great" C major symphony.
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Christian Won is a talented pianist and composer from Grandview, MO. Christly L'Esperance speaks with Christian about his musical inspirations, finding balance between practice and teenage fun, his next steps and more.
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Overland Park teenager Kevin Li has diverse musical tastes including playing his clarinet, listening to hip-hop and making beats. Christy L'Esperance speaks with Kevin about how he got started in music and his transition to a more serious player. We'll also learn how he balances practice time and school work, and finding common ground between classical music and hip-hop.
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After rebuilding her music career twice, Danielle Nicole's new album shows her claiming her power — and the ownership rights to her recordings. “I've put out 10 records,” she said. “And this is the first time I haven't felt screwed.”
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The birthday celebration for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart continues with two of his piano concerti and his profound "Jupiter" symphony. Co-hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies explore Mozart's frame of mind during each compositional period and offer insights on performing these great works.
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It's the 10th anniversary of the NPR Tiny Desk Contest, and they're going all out! If you're an unsigned band or artist from Missouri or Kansas, you could win a chance to play your very own Tiny Desk Concert at NPR's headquarters and be featured on KCUR. The contest is now open for entries through Feb. 21, 2024.
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Co-hosts Michael Stern and Dan Margolies celebrate the birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by highlighting four of his masterworks. We'll hear his Overture to "Don Giovanni," his fifth Violin Concerto featuring Stefan Jakiw, his "Sinfonia concertante" featuring former orchestra members Noah Geller and Christine Grossman, and his famed Symphony No. 40.
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Europe's great ensembles. Brooke Knoll speaks with Royal Philharmonic violinists Erik Chapman and Sali-Wyn Ryan about the history of the orchestra, its "royal" name and coming to Kansas City to perform with renowned pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. We'll hear music by Maurice Ravel, Ernő Dohnányi, Sergei Prokofiev and Sergei Rachmaninoff.