50 episodes

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

From the Top From the Top

    • Music
    • 4.6 • 190 Ratings

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

    Musical Feast: Cassadó to Schumann

    Musical Feast: Cassadó to Schumann

    We talk about the healing nature of music with a violist who performs Schumann. We hear a vibrant performance inspired by Las Vegas from a teen pianist and join a young cellist as she performs and reflects on Cassadó's imaginative Dance of the Green Devil. Learn more about the musicians and repertoire featured on this episode: https://fromthetop.org/show/show-449/

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    • 31 min
    Victor Wooten, Bach, & Gospel Marching Band

    Victor Wooten, Bach, & Gospel Marching Band

    Grammy Award-winning bass player Victor Wooten joins us for our exciting musical journey out of Nashville. A talented teen flutist plays an elegant Bach Sonata and then improvises on that same work with Victor Wooten and Peter Dugan. We meet the drum major from Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands and hear selections from their Grammy Award-winning album. And if that's not enough, we are treated to a special collaboration between our hosts!

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    • 42 min
    Beethoven to Bluegrass and Special Guest Victor Wooten

    Beethoven to Bluegrass and Special Guest Victor Wooten

    Grammy Award-winning bass player Victor Wooten joins us this week as we celebrate great music out of Nashville! We hear an electric performance on violin, imitating sounds from Jimi Hendrix's guitar, by a teen musician who already holds a real job in an orchestra. We meet a talented pianist who performs Beethoven. And a teen bluegrass mandolin player with a career on the rise performs solo and collaborates on a toe-tapping tune with Victor Wooten and Peter Dugan.

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    • 47 min
    Musicians from Rural America: Violin and Banjo

    Musicians from Rural America: Violin and Banjo

    A 15-year-old violinist introduces us to his charming coastal community of Damariscotta, Maine and a talented young banjo player brings us into her musical home in the foothills of Leicester, North Carolina. Co-host/violinist Tessa Lark draws on her own childhood in Kentucky as she reflects with Peter Dugan on the stories and performances of these talented young musicians from rural communities. Don't miss the videos of each hometown visit at fromthetop.org.

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    • 31 min
    Musicians from Rural America: Louisiana to California

    Musicians from Rural America: Louisiana to California

    We meet a teen violinist down by the bayou in Monroe, Louisiana, travel to the rolling farmland of Redlands, California to the home of a driven young guitarist, and hear from a young composer who enjoys the support of his community in Fargo, North Dakota. Co-host/violinist Tessa Lark speaks about her own upbringing in Eastern Kentucky as she reflects with Peter Dugan on the experiences of these talented young artists from small towns. Don't miss the videos of each hometown visit at fromthetop.org.

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    • 45 min
    Earth Day Special: Trees and Swans

    Earth Day Special: Trees and Swans

    We're paying homage to our beautiful planet and the works of art it inspires! A teen harpist from rural California performs Gary Schocker's Memory of Trees, a contemplation on the effects of climate change. Finally, a 17-year-old cellist plays The Swan and speaks of her work in environmental advocacy.

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    • 22 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
190 Ratings

190 Ratings

DC Wash ,

Magnificent

The music is incredible. The interview with the musicians reveal the heart and intellect behind that music. Impressive for sure.

JuilliardVoice ,

The host!

The new host Peter Dugan makes this show even better! So happy he’s at the helm leading the new generation with an open heart and keen ear.

Pete Trg ,

An institution

Great show, esp the Christopher O’Reilly episodes before 2018

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