Tag: piano

This week, guest host Orli Shaham returns for another new episode, enjoying the moving experience of performing live chamber music for the first time during the pandemic. The program, recorded partly on stage at Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in New York, features a wonderful group of young people, like a young violist, […]

This article originally appeared on The Harvard Crimson. On Sunday, October 6, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall was abuzz. A hustling production crew weaved through the audience as fans of all ages filed into their seats. As the house lights dimmed, the wooden paneling that soared above the stage on all sides took on a […]

Renowned cellist Paul Katz guest hosts this week’s episode of From the Top (listen on your participating station and/or by podcast). Recorded on July 31 at New England Conservatory (NEC)’s Jordan Hall in Boston, this episode of From the Top features young artists from around the world who studied at the Morningside Music Bridge program in […]

From the Top is thrilled to announce the two recipients of the 2019 From the Top Alumni Leadership Grant, 19-year-old pianist Amir Siraj and 20-year-old pianist Eunice Lee! The Alumni Leadership Grant, generously funded by the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation, seeks to support alumni of From the Top’s media and arts leadership programs […]

With 2018 solidly behind us, we finally had the chance to look back, take stock, and pull out some of our favorite moments from last year. From fantastically fun videos to empowering young musicians to make an impact in their community, 2018 was a year to remember. 1: Two of our music videos were included in WQXR’s […]

An exploratory artist, outspoken activist, influential educator, and possessor of one of the most personal and expressive pianistic styles in improvised music, Fred Hersch has led a singular life that has shaped one of the most acclaimed and influential voices in modern jazz, and he’ll share that experience with From the Top in an upcoming taping in […]

This article is part of our ongoing series exploring the projects launched by the recipients of our Alumni Leadership Grant. 2017 was the pilot year for From the Top’s Alumni Leadership Grant, which funds leadership initiatives launched by our alumni all across the country. One of those grants supported FTT alum Avik Sarkar as he spearheaded a benefit concert […]

Meet J.P. Redmond J.P. appeared on our show back in 2013 at the age of 13 where he received a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award in conjunction with his performance. Since being on From the Top, he’s been recognized with three ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, a 2017 Davidson Fellowship, and was a […]

Pianist and alum Victoria Francis Young (Show 235) was born and raised in Las Vegas. She wrote a piece in memory of the victims of the recent mass shooting, and as a message of sympathy to their families. My heart was shattered to pieces by the October 1, 2017 massacre that took place in the […]

We asked the host of NPR’s From the Top, Christopher O’Riley, to give us some background about his This Land/Our Land music video project, which brings together six From the Top alumni, all with immigrant backgrounds, to perform a new musical composition/arrangement of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” O’Riley and the musicians gathered […]

This interview is part of This Land/Our Land, a music video project bringing together six young musicians from immigrant backgrounds to perform a new arrangement of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” The arrangement is by From the Top host Christopher O’Riley. Watch the video here. Want more stories like this? Scroll down to […]

This interview is part of This Land/Our Land, a music video project bringing together six young musicians from immigrant backgrounds to perform a new arrangement of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.” The arrangement is by From the Top host Christopher O’Riley. Watch the video here. Want more stories like this? Scroll down to […]

Why Should I Learn How To Transpose? Let’s say we’re a trumpet quintet who was just hired for a Sunday morning church gig (hey, it could happen), and we’ve been told: “No need to come to a rehearsal, you’ll just be sight-reading some easy hymns.” When we arrive, the director hands us a hymnal and […]

24-year-old pianist, Clifton Williams appeared on NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley on  Show 195, recorded in March 2009 at age 19, and then again on Show 296, recorded in October 2014 at age 22. In conjunction with his first performance on the show, he also received From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Here […]

If there’s one thing that all From the Top musicians and fans can appreciate, it’s the many… ahem…productive hours spent in practice rooms. How many of these have you experienced? Pianist 11-year-old Michael Karshis (you might remember Michael as a certain Star Wars villain in another recent video) Director Tim Banker Producer Mark Williams Director […]

Pianist Maxim Lando appeared on Show 283, recorded in Boston in February 2014, at age 11. Since then, he has gone on to do great things with his music, including a special collaboration with Lang Lang, and winning major competitions. Recently, we chatted with him about his inspirations, favorites, and plans for the future.  Q: What […]

This is the music you are looking for, Star Wars fans. In honor of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, opening in theaters December 18th, we present three delightful young pianists who aren’t afraid to tickle the ivories while dressed in Halloween costumes. A From the Top video. 2015, all rights reserved www.fromthetop.org www.facebook.com/fromthetopfans www.twitter.com/classicalkid …

This is pianist Anna Boonyanit reflecting on her journey to performing on NPR’s From the Top with Host Christopher O’Riley, Show 281. She was 14 years old at the time.  My Home – February 9, 2014 7:19 pm My name had just been announced through my antiquated JVC radio propped on the floor of my bedroom. I had […]

On Friday, February 20th, From the Top’s Education team lead its group of young musicians through the snow-banked streets of Boston. This particular Friday evening would be a bit different than others, and not just because of the weather. Amid the winding, bustling halls of the Boston Children’s Museum, there is a special, large space designed specifically for […]