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R. Kelly (left) as Sylvester, and Eric Lane as Twan, in Trapped in the Closet, which relaunched with new chapters last week on IFC.

Listen R. Kelly's Queer, Campy 'Closet' Reopens

November 27, 2012 – The R&B singer recently unveiled new chapters in his melodramatic Trapped in the Closet series.

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After years of waiting, the Kennedy Center has a new symphonic organ replacing its old Filene organ. The $2 million project will culminate in the organ's debut on Nov. 27. William Neil (left), the National Symphony Orchestra organist, speaks with NSO Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl (center) during the organ's test with the orchestra on Oct. 18.

Listen Kennedy Center's New Organ No Longer A Pipe Dream

November 27, 2012 – The Kennedy Center finally replaced its not-quite-up-to-the-task pipe organ.

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Does This Guy Matter? Conductor Leonard Bernstein during rehearsal with the Cincinnati Symphony at Carnegie Hall in 1977.

Listen Do Orchestras Really Need Conductors?

November 27, 2012 – A computer science study shows that conductors play decisive roles in the performance of orchestras.

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The Lambreaux family meets with New Orleans city planners concerning a national jazz center.

Read 'Treme' Ep. 31: To Call It Quits WBGO

November 27, 2012 – As season three winds to a close, many regular guests of the show play a few numbers. WBGO

Dolly Parton, known as "The Queen of Country Music," has won eight Grammys and sold more than 100 million records.

Listen After Decades Of Dreaming, Dolly Parton Says, 'Dream More'

November 27, 2012 – In her new book Dream More, Parton explains the principles behind her enormous commercial success.

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Lana Del Rey performs in France in July. Her album, Born To Die, came out in January, to mixed reviews.

Read A Critic Atones

November 27, 2012 – As list-making season begins, a critic looks back at her own early judgments and blind spots.

Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.

Read Joyce DiDonato: Sublime Singing Makes The Unreal Real

November 27, 2012 – Hear a celebrated mezzo-soprano sing an aria from her exceptional new recording of Baroque opera.

Le Tigre.

Watch Bedroom Dancing: Le Tigre By Accident

November 27, 2012 – A new fan recalls first hearing the band in high school, on a mixtape meant for someone else.

Meshell Ndegeocello says she hopes her new album, a tribute to Nina Simone, revives interest in the work and life of the late artist.

Listen Meshell Ndegeocello Honors Simone's 'Sovereign Soul'

November 26, 2012 – The singer performs the songs of Nina Simone on her new album, Pour Une Âme Souveraine.

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Teddy Wilson (center) and drummer Zutty Singleton in 1940.

Watch 100 Years Of Don Byas And Teddy Wilson

November 26, 2012 – This fall marks the centennial anniversaries of two all-time great improvisers, born in 1912.

Dutch composer Michel van der Aa, winner of the 2013 Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition.

Read Michel Van Der Aa Wins The Grawemeyer Award For Music

November 25, 2012 – Watch an excerpt of a cello concerto/short film that has earned the Dutch composer the prize.

Martha Wainwright's newest album, Come Home to Mama, was inspired by the death of her mother and birth of her son, which happened about two months apart.

Listen Martha Wainwright On New Motherhood, And A Mother Lost

November 25, 2012 – Wainwright's newest album was inspired by two big changes in her family — a birth and a death.

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Alicia Keys' latest album is called Girl on Fire.

Watch Alicia Keys: How A 'Girl On Fire' Keeps From Burning Out

November 25, 2012 – Now married and a mother, Keys says she's more vigilant than ever about remaining productive.

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What do you want for the holidays?

Read The NPR Music Holiday Gift Wish List

November 23, 2012 – Our staff picks out a lavish holiday wish list, from the practical to the fantastical.

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