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Anastasia Tsioulcas

Anastasia Tsioulcas writes at NPR Music for “Deceptive Cadence” (http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence). Widely published as a writer on both classical and world music, she is the former North America editor for Gramophone Magazine and the classical music columnist for Billboard. She has also been an on-air contributor to  many public radio programs, including WNYC’s Soundcheck, Minnesota Public Radio’s The Savvy Traveler, Public Radio International’s Weekend America, and the BBC’s The World.

Anastasia Tsioulcas appears in the following:

Andris Nelsons Named Music Director Of The Boston Symphony

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The announcement that the 34-year-old Latvian conductor is taking the reins of the ensemble puts an end to years of uncertainty at the storied orchestra, following James Levine's 2011 resignation.

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An Evening with Nico Muhly and Two Boys

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Join Q2 Music and NPR Music tonight at 10 pm ET for a special live video webcast that previews the American debut of composer Nico Muhly's opera Two Boys.

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Spring For Music: National Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Hear an evening of exciting and intriguing 20th-century Russian music — including Shostkovich, Schnittke and Shchedrin — that pays tribute to the orchestra's late and longtime leader, conductor and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.

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Come Dance The 'Rite Of Spring' With Us!

Friday, May 10, 2013

We're inviting you to create your own video using the last minute of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Dance it, animate it, improvise it, whatever you like — and then upload your creation to YouTube before May 28th. We'll be featuring some of the best videos on NPR Music in the weeks ahead.

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An Evening With Nico Muhly And Friends

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Join us for an intimate concert inspired by Muhly's exciting, intrigue-filled opera Two Boys, commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. Muhly is joined by close friends including singers Paul Appleby and Jennifer Zetlan, violist Nadia Sirota and duo violinists Angela and Jennifer Chun.

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Do You Have To Nearly Kill Yourself To Become A Classical Musician?

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

A pianist ponders how far he's gone to learn to play his instrument — and suggests you try, too. Though James Rhodes says he encountered massive medical and marital problems in his quest, he believes even amateur music-making beats prepackaged entertainment.

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Nicola Benedetti: Tiny Desk Concert

Monday, May 06, 2013

Watch the young violinist spin out music by John Williams and Bach in sweet and soulful tendrils of sound. Wielding a 1717 Gariel Strad worth $10 million, Benedetti performs with warmth and approachable grace that's simply enchanting.

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What Do You Get Valery Gergiev For His 60th Birthday?

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Today marks the superstar conductor's birthday. So what do you get for the man with plum posts the world over? In the case of Russian president Vladimir Putin, you give him a newly resuscitated Soviet prize — and a brand-new theater.

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Madame Mao's Hollywood Fantasies

Friday, April 26, 2013

See and hear examples of politically dogmatic — but extravagantly assembled — operas and ballets born during the Cultural Revolution. Glamorous photo stills by Zhang Yaxin of works like Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy were recently shown in Canada.

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How Do You Handle Loneliness On The Road?

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The refreshingly open American mezzo Joyce DiDonato doles out some great advice — and not just to aspiring singers. In her latest YouTube video, she tackles subjects ranging from alienation to friendships to creating a life free from expectations of what's "right."

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Appreciating A Pillar Of The Chicago Sound: Trumpeter Bud Herseth

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The legendary musician, widely adored by brass players and fans around the globe, spent 53 years as the principal in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He died Saturday at age 91. Watch some of his performances, including an extraordinary Mahler Fifth Symphony.

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Remembering Colin Davis, A Conductor Beloved Late In Life

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The English conductor was knighted in 1980 and won three Grammys — but did not reach the real heights of his career until he was in his sixties and seventies. Famed for his interpretations of Berlioz, Sibelius and Mozart as well as contemporary composers, he died at age 85 on Sunday.

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Caroline Shaw, 30, Wins Pulitzer For Music

Monday, April 15, 2013

The versatile composer, violinist and vocalist is one of just a handful of female musicians to earn the prize — and, at age 30, the youngest music winner ever. Her 'Partita for 8 Voices' was written for the debut recording by the vocal ensemble with which she performs, Roomful of Teeth.

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Huberman's List: How A Violinist Saved Jews In World War II

Thursday, April 04, 2013

The story of how legendary violinist Bronisław Huberman used his prestige and fame toward a heroic end inspired a documentary film. See the trailer and learn more about the founding of what became the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Lochlannach Phil Lockout Jump-Started By Kickstarter

Monday, April 01, 2013

A beloved regional orchestra in Minnesota ends months of labor difficulty by replacing union musicians with unpaid community members. Hear the result — you won't believe it.

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The Good Friday 5: Musical Passion Stories You Must Hear

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Before Easter, hear five powerful and diverse musical portrayals of Jesus' last days and crucifixion, from Bach's monumental St. Matthew to Golijov's brilliant Latin American mashup to a dark and terrifying Russian vision from Sofia Gubaidulina.

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Marches Madness: 'Turkish' Mozart, Jazzed By An Expert

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Meta music: Mozart's Orientalist fantasy, tweaked by Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say.

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Beyond 'Dayenu': What's Your Music Of Liberation?

Monday, March 25, 2013

With Passover beginning, Jews around the world prepared to commemorate this major holiday with food, prayers and songs. We're on the hunt for music that helps spool out stories of enslavement and liberation.

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First Listen: Bombino, 'Nomad'

Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach pairs up with monster Tuareg guitarist Bombino for a dream-team album. The result balances tightly coiled melodies with wide-open, Saharan spaciousness.

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Marches Madness: A Dancer's Joy

Friday, March 22, 2013

Meredith Monk's march lives up to its "Light" name — it's a pure distillation of joy.

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