Accessibility links
From the Top: Classical Music Podcast NPR's From the Top showcases the music, stories, and unique humor of America's best young classical musicians.
From the Top

Podcast Directory
FTP updated
NPR

From the Top

From NPR

NPR's From the Top showcases the music, stories, and unique humor of America's best young classical musicians.

Most Recent Episodes

Terrific Trumpeter, Award-Winning Trio, & More

This week features young musicians studying at the Colburn School in LA. They range from a 14-year-old cellist with a mature performance of Beethoven to the winners of a major chamber music competition whose secret to success just might be their musical handshake. We also hear from an incredible trumpeter, a globe-trotting teen violinist, and a 15-year-old pianist performing Mendelssohn.

Terrific Trumpeter, Award-Winning Trio, & More

Listen · 59:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1161042535/1162804257" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Brahms, Wieniawski, and a Young Pianist

We hear the first work Brahms wrote for a solo instrument and a stunning Wieniawski Polonaise played by a 13-year-old violinist. We also meet a teenage baritone who has been drawn to community activism since childhood, a guitarist who plays an arrangement of Dizzy Gillespie's Night in Tunisia, and a young pianist who shares a special tip she got from piano superstar Lang Lang... play like a grandma!

Brahms, Wieniawski, and a Young Pianist

Listen · 59:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1156093697/1157261614" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Black History Month Special Encore

In recognition of Black History Month, this highlight program celebrates outstanding performances by Black musicians on From the Top through the years. Hosted by Peter Dugan and David Norville, an alumnus, oboist, and former Assistant Producer at From the Top.

Black History Month Special Encore

Listen · 59:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1154237043/1154257302" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Beethoven, Rocket Science, & Coltrane

A pianist speaks of his passion for rocket science and his work with NASA, a talented teen violinist plays Beethoven and shares how an accident transformed his musicianship, a young composer shares a piece inspired by the loss of a loved one, and a versatile saxophonist plays Coltrane.

Beethoven, Rocket Science, & Coltrane

Listen · 1:00:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1152208338/1152225101" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Schumann, Haydn, and a Joyful Gospel Choir

Violinist Charles Yang returns as co-host. We meet a bubbly teen violinist, a pianist with a mission to connect with audiences, and a cellist who opens up about mental health. The Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir sing us out with a performance that will have you on your feet and smiling!

Schumann, Haydn, and a Joyful Gospel Choir

Listen · 1:09:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1147547447/1147637930" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Kreisler, Film Scores & More

We meet a teenage pianist with an affinity for horror movie scores, a percussionist who adapts Debussy for marimba, a talented violinist who likes to read books upside down, and an outstanding trio from Utah play Café Music. They all answer the question — why classical music?

Kreisler, Film Scores & More

Listen · 59:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1141933923/1141946752" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Ravel Quartet & Sibling Dynamics

Guest Host Orli Shaham finds common ground with a pair of siblings who remind her of growing up with her brother Gil. A lively quartet from Chicago play Ravel. A teen soprano speaks about representation in classical music and connecting with a composer who shares her heritage. A talented young pianist talks about having pianist parents.

Ravel Quartet & Sibling Dynamics

Listen · 59:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1139160861/1139162893" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Incredible String Players Shine at the Klein

We'll hear the adrenaline filled performances taking place at the 37th Annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition, meet the players, hear from the jury, and of course, learn who wins. Violinist Tessa Lark and pianist Peter Dugan co-host this portrait of one of our country's top competitions for young players.

Incredible String Players Shine at the Klein

Listen · 59:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1134352153/1136691181" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

11-Year-Old Pianist, Self-Directed Flutist & More

Pianist Orli Shaham guest hosts. We meet a sensational 11-year-old pianist, a self-directed flutist who describes the mouthwatering food he finds in his hometown, a violinist who shares a moving piece inspired by the Holocaust, a young harpist who explores her creativity on her own Youtube Channel, and a thoughtful teenage violinist with a multicultural background.

11-Year-Old Pianist, Self-Directed Flutist & More

Listen · 59:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1132330974/1132367693" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Sibling Soloists, Fischoff Champions, & More

Brothers from Chicago talk Formula One racing and share performances of Ysaÿe and Kovács, an award-winning chamber group from San Francisco plays a fiery Spanish trio, and a teen violinist talks about his interest in neuroscience and performs Mozart.

Sibling Soloists, Fischoff Champions, & More

Listen · 59:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1129200690/1129217745" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
From the Top

Podcast Directory
or search npr.org