Latest Classical music News

Thailand's baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng now has an official song in 4 languages

Nov. 13, 2024 19:20 PM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — In case you can’t get enough of the little pygmy hippo Moo Deng from Thailand, there's now an official song featuring the internet's favorite baby animal — released in four languages for her global fans. The upbeat 50-second song “Moodeng Moodeng," available...

Alexander Shelley to become Pacific Symphony Orchestra music director for 2026-27 season

Nov. 13, 2024 13:42 PM EST

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Alexander Shelley will become music director of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for the 2026-27 season following the 35-year tenure of Carl St. Clair. The 45-year-old will be just the third music director for the orchestra after founder Keith Clark...

Daniele Rustioni to become Metropolitan Opera's principal guest conductor

Nov. 13, 2024 11:13 AM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Daniele Rustioni will become just the third principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in its nearly century-and-a-half history, leading at least two productions each season starting in 2025-26 as a No. 2 to music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Rustioni...

My Chemical Romance returns with 'The Black Parade' tour

Nov. 12, 2024 14:18 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly two decades ago, My Chemical Romance released their career-defining rock opera, “The Black Parade,” cementing their shift from mainstays of the emo scene to mainstream recognition and becoming one of the most inventive bands of the 21st century. In 2025,...

More than 1,000 mariachis belt out classics like 'Cielito Lindo' in a Mexico City plaza

Nov. 11, 2024 00:04 AM EST

MEXICO CITY (AP) — More than 1,000 mariachis gathered in Mexico City’s main plaza Sunday, strumming guitars and singing classics like “Cielito Lindo” to end a mariachi congress celebrating the musical form. The number of musicians apparently topped the previous record of 700...

Quincy Jones laid to rest at private family funeral in Los Angeles

Nov. 10, 2024 20:58 PM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Music giant Quincy Jones was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Los Angeles, a week after his death at age 91. A larger, more public memorial is also being planned. The family of the 28-time Grammy winning producer, arranger and composer said in a statement...

Music Review: State Champs’ self-titled album is enjoyable, quintessential, predictable pop-punk

Nov. 04, 2024 15:38 PM EST

New York pop-punk band State Champs’ self-titled album is one fans of the genre have heard before — a band musing about awkward interactions at parties, overthinking their romantic relationships and scorning the mundane. Across 12 tracks, the album is charming, but unchallenging. ...

Remembering Quincy Jones: 10 career-spanning songs to celebrate his legacy

Nov. 04, 2024 12:43 PM EST

Few artists have legacies so mammoth their very name could be considered synonymous with the music industry, but then again, most musicians are not the prodigious producer Quincy Jones. The larger-than-life figure died Sunday night at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by his family....

Willie Nelson on his new album, cannabis cookbook, Kris Kristofferson and what makes a good song

Nov. 01, 2024 10:22 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Young musicians looking for longevity would be wise to follow the sensible word of Willie Nelson: Do what feels right, and if you're lucky enough to have a statue built in your honor in your city, remember that it is just something you've “got to go down and clean off the pigeon...

Music Review: The Cure return after a long break to look at mortality with one of their best albums

Oct. 30, 2024 12:21 PM EDT

You might think that after being silent for 16 years, The Cure would be in a rush to get things going. Think again. It takes over three minutes of “Alone” — the first song on their new album — before we finally hear Robert Smith's voice. The Cure are back, but definitely on their terms. ...