Music

The 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Honorees, including conductor Seiji Ozawa, stand on stage during a reception for them in the East Room of the White House, Dec. 6, 2015.

Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as 'graceful,' 'supernaturally' gifted

Seiji Ozawa, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for nearly three decades, died this week in his home country of Japan. The World speaks to Brian McCreath, who broadcasts the Boston Symphony Orchestra on WCRB in Boston, about Ozawa's life and legacy.

Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as 'graceful,' 'supernaturally' gifted
musicians onstage

International Guitar Night shows off diverse styles and sounds from across the globe

International Guitar Night shows off diverse styles and sounds from across the globe
Haiti's annual PapJazz Festival brings together local and international audiences for rich and diverse musical experiences.

'It's an act of resistance': Haiti's jazz festival opens in Port-au-Prince despite security challenges

'It's an act of resistance': Haiti's jazz festival opens in Port-au-Prince despite security challenges
The Estonian folk music quartet 6hunesseq performs during Tallinn Music Week. From left to right, Marion Selgall, Greta Liisa Grünberg, Maria Mänd and Kaisa Kuslapuu.

All-women Estonian quartet brings ancient folk music to the forefront

All-women Estonian quartet brings ancient folk music to the forefront
Clarissa Bitar plays the oud, a classic string instrument.

How the oud brought this Palestinian American musician closer to their culture, family and history

How the oud brought this Palestinian American musician closer to their culture, family and history
Black and white photo of a Cuban tres instrument

The first Cuban tres players at Berklee

The national instrument of Cuba, the tres is gaining some attention in the US. For the very first time, Berklee College of Music in Boston admitted two students of Cuban tres this year.

The first Cuban tres players at Berklee
A pink sign in the forefront of a largely female crowd that reads in Spanish "Swiftie No Vota Milei"

In Argentina, ‘Swifties Don’t Vote For Milei’

Just days before the presidential elections in Argentina, Taylor Swift fans wanted to make sure their voices were heard. Pink posters with the caption: "Swifties Don't Vote for Milei” were spotted all around the country’s biggest stadium, where the pop star recently performed three sold-out concerts. Javier Milei is a far-right libertarian candidate who has proposed radical changes if elected.

In Argentina, ‘Swifties Don’t Vote For Milei’
Lt. Col. Manuel E. Lichtenstein interacts with children in southern Italy, 1945.

American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines 

Lt. Col. Manuel E. Lichtenstein was a doctor in southern Italy during World War II. He met with top generals and won prestigious awards. Stories about his three harrowing years there were passed down in his family. But an old box of photos he took — of simple moments with everyday people — reveal a different view of life during wartime, away from the front lines.

American World War II doctor in Italy captures scenes of wartime beyond the front lines 
musical group in field

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’

​​​​​​​The Spanish artist María José Llergo has just released her first full-length album, called “Ultrabelleza.” Her voice carries the legacy of flamenco, the traditional music of her homeland, but on this new record, her roots have turned into wings, allowing her to explore other genres.

Spanish musician María José Llergo turns roots into wings with ‘Ultrabelleza’
Chhom Nimol is the lead singer of Dengue Fever.

How this Cambodian American singer found her voice

Chhom Nimol is the lead singer of the band Dengue Fever, based in Los Angeles, California. In this installment of “Movement,” a series on music and migration, we hear from Nimol about how she found her singing voice.

How this Cambodian American singer found her voice
C. Tangana YouTube screenshot.

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music

Ever heard of Celtic Trap? It’s not exactly a thing yet, but it might be soon thanks to C. Tangana in the mix.

This Spanish hip-hop star is stepping into global music
Screenshot from "Prehistoric Planet" on YouTube.

For ‘dinosaur music,’ prehistoric instruments set the tone

Musicians Anže Rozman and Kara Talve invented prehistoric instruments to help transport viewers back in time for the BBC series, “Prehistoric Planet.”

For ‘dinosaur music,’ prehistoric instruments set the tone
man at piano

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer

Daniel Jobim is now on the road playing his grandad's music on tour with Seu Jorge, another Brazilian superstar. 

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer
Cast members perform during a rehearsal of the opera "Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable" at the Emerson Paramount Center in Boston, Sept. 20, 2023.

A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale

The new opera, “Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable,” had its world premiere in Boston over the weekend. The story is based on an ancient Chinese folk tale and uses modern and diverse cultural elements to create a unique rendition of the popular fable.

A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale
A portrait of Sasami from her self-titled LP, "Sasami."

‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage 

Sasami’s latest album, “Squeeze,” is a musical concoction of different genres and influences — including her family’s multicultural heritage as zainichi Koreans. Meklit Hadero, host of “Movement,” our series on music and migration, speaks with Sasami about her family history and upbringing. 

‘It’s all mixed’: Sasami makes music inspired by her multicultural heritage