Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for From the Top
MusicArtsPerforming Arts

From the Top

NPR

Music and stories from America’s best young classical musicians.

Play
Open in
  • 29 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 35 min
  • English

Support the show

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Episodes 29

NewestOldestLongest
All9Unplayed9In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • June 15 · 30 min

    Kreisler and Childhood on a Farm

    What happens when a young violin virtuoso feeds classical music into artificial intelligence? She uncovers some of AI's secrets and shares her scorching rendition of a Kreisler composition. Plus a 16-year-old French Hornist evokes his childhood on a farm filled with music and animals! See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • June 8 · 31 min

    Discovering Sibelius and More

    A young cellist discovers a Sibelius work that was buried and unknown for over a century. We also hear from a young harpist playing Salzedo and an introverted trumpeter who lets her instrument do the talking. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • June 1 · 36 min

    West Side Story, Ragtime and a Teen Composer

    We hear a variety of American music from Bernstein’s West Side Story to ragtime piano and a young composer’s jazz-inspired saxophone performance. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • May 25 · 40 min

    Bach, Popper, and Saint-Saens

    A trio of middle schoolers deliver impressive solo performances of Bach, Popper, and Saint-Saens with host Peter Dugan. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • May 18 · 34 min

    Beethoven and Singing Trombone

    A teen pianist shares her passion for Beethoven, and the son of professional vocalists falls in love with making the trombone sing. Plus we’re treated to a flashback finale featuring a Brahms horn trio. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • May 11 · 41 min

    Film Scores to Brahms Viola

    A teen violinist takes her love of film scores to new heights, a young flutist shares how he got his start watching online videos, and a passionate violist performs Brahms. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • May 4 · 28 min

    Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part II

    Co-hosted by violinist and disability activist Julia LaGrand and host Peter Dugan, this week’s episode spotlights the perspectives and artistry of young musicians with disabilities and is part of a broader initiative by From the Top to increase inclusivity and transparency for disabled artists. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • April 27 · 37 min

    Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 2026: Part I

    Co-hosted by violinist and disability activist Julia LaGrand and host Peter Dugan, this week’s episode spotlights the perspectives and artistry of young musicians with disabilities and is part of a broader initiative by From the Top to increase inclusivity and transparency for disabled artists. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • April 20 · 31 min

    Talented Teen Soprano & Violinist plus Etta James Tribute at FAME Studios

    We’re back at the famous FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. A teenage violinist performs Kreisler and a young soprano who shares her journey from Gospel to classical voice. Plus, guest artist KJ Willis, a talented soul singer who is currently featured on NBC’s The Voice, joins with host Peter Dugan and the young performers to pay tribute to Etta James, one of the legendary musicians who recorded at FAME in the past. We close with a flashback finale, featuring an Alabama native who is now an ICU doctor chronicled by the New York Times for bringing music into her hospital. Thanks to Focusrite and ADAM Audio for making From the Top’s recording at FAME possible. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Showing 21–29 of 29 episodes