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Simon Smith's new album traces the career of Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov.

Simon Smith's new album traces the career of Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov. Veronica Alva/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

itoggle caption Veronica Alva/Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

Songs We Love: Simon Smith, 'Nostalghia'

With minutely detailed instructions from Kiev-born composer Valentin Silvestrov, a British pianist probes the heart of melancholy in music that appears light but weighs heavy.

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Guitarist, actor and writer Carrie Brownstein performing with her band Sleater-Kinney at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

Guitarist, actor and writer Carrie Brownstein performing with her band Sleater-Kinney at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. Alex Schelldorf/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Alex Schelldorf/NPR

All Songs Considered

All Songs +1: Carrie Brownstein Isn't Who You Think She Is

In her remarkable new memoir, Carrie Brownstein paints a startlingly candid portrait of herself that dispels any myths fans might have about her rock-star status with the band Sleater-Kinney.

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An Alpine Symphony, by Richard Strauss, depicts a dawn to dusk climb up a mountain.

An Alpine Symphony, by Richard Strauss, depicts a dawn to dusk climb up a mountain. iStockphoto.com hide caption

itoggle caption iStockphoto.com

Deceptive Cadence

Richard Strauss' Musical Mountain Climb

Marking the 100th anniversary of An Alpine Symphony, take a guided tour through Strauss' evocative music with conductor Semyon Bychkov and author David Hurwitz as trail guides.

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Carrie Brownstein is the co-creator and co-star of the TV series Portlandia.

Carrie Brownstein is the co-creator and co-star of the TV series Portlandia. Autumn de Wilde/Riverhead Books hide caption

itoggle caption Autumn de Wilde/Riverhead Books

Music Interviews

'Modern Girl' Carrie Brownstein Describes Finding (And Hiding) Herself In Music

Fresh Air

The Sleater-Kinney guitarist and singer is known for her defiant performances, but it was vulnerability that initially drew her to music. Brownstein's new memoir is Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl.

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The British rock group Deep Purple in 1969. Eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1993, the group behind "Smoke On The Water" has been nominated for the third time.

The British rock group Deep Purple in 1969. Eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1993, the group behind "Smoke On The Water" has been nominated for the third time. John Minihan/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption John Minihan/Getty Images

The Record

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2016: The Only System We've Got

The musicians on the latest shortlist for admission to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tell us a lot about the priorities of the recently revamped nominating committee.

John Grant and Neko Case

John Grant and Neko Case Courtesy of the artist hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

All Songs +1: A Discussion With Neko Case And John Grant

Two of our favorite musicians talk about carnival rides, their ideal collaboration and being sexier than ever in their mid-40s. Eavesdrop on a conversation between Neko Case and John Grant.

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Iris DeMent's version of the hymn "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" was used at the end of the Coen Brothers' movie True Grit.

Iris DeMent's version of the hymn "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" was used at the end of the Coen Brothers' movie True Grit. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

For Iris DeMent, Music Is The Calling That Forces Her Into The Spotlight

DeMent describes herself as extremely shy, but says that "when the songs started coming to me, I felt I didn't have the option to hide and avoid" the stage. Her latest album is The Trackless Woods.

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