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A major figure in the American musical scene died on Dec. 7 at his home in Siesta Key, Fla. Frederick Fennell was a legendary conductor and educator known for his musicality and interpretive abilities. NPR's Fred Child remembers him through his music.

The music Mozart wrote for his horn-playing friend Joseph Leutgeb is still some of the finest music ever written for horn. We feature some of the highlights: the lyrical Horn Quintet and the Horn Concerto No. 4 from a performance by the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra.

The symphonic poem "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius has become a deeply felt expression of patriotism for Finns. Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen talks about the origins of the work, and what it means to Finns today.

Commentator Rob Kapilow offers a guide through Antonin Dvorak's "American" quartet, written by the Czech composer during the summer of 1893 when he stayed in the Czech expatriate community of Spillville, Iowa.

NPR and WBGO present the annual Toast of the Nation New Year's jazz program. Nicholas Payton, Jeremy Davenport, Victor Goines, Ellis Marsalis, Peter Martin, Don Vappie, Reginald Veal and Herlin Riley conjure Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet in a musical mix. Hosted by Branford Marsalis.

From Broadway plays to playwrights giving writing lessons to online courses from Ivy League schools, here's a look at some things (but not everything!) that have suddenly become free.

Renee Montagne talks to music commentator Miles Hoffman who compares classical music pieces to casseroles. A good casserole needs contrasting but complementary ingredients to make something delicious.

The first time Arturo Toscanini conducted an orchestra, he was 19, and the year was 1886. The last time he conducted a live performance came 68 years later, in 1954. Sara Fishko tries to weave through the immense web of musical history he left behind.

We talk with Jami Resch, the new Springfield Police Chief, and the first woman to ever ascend to that position in the city.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden discussed challenges coming from the Trump administration, highlighting issues like fire season concerns due to federal cuts, mental health crisis legislation in 23 Oregon counties, and a $200,000 grant for a rural youth program.