The Grammy-nominated early music vocal quartet New York Polyphony has released an album of remarkable sacred works from the Spanish renaissance. Entitled Lamentatione (Lamentations), the recording shines light on four composers, including Francisco de Peñalosa and Pedro de Escobar – both of whom helped spark the flowering of polyphony in the 16th century. New York Polyphony's Craig Philips joins us to preview the disc.

Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy takes us on a deep dive into his docu-oratorio The Hunger, inspired by Ireland's Great Famine (1845-52). At once devastating and hauntingly beautiful, The Hunger draws on the letters of American humanitarian Asenath Nicholson, who traveled to Ireland to bear witness to the horrible events. The new album (from Nonesuch Records) features contemporary music ensemble Alarm Will Sound with soprano Katherine Manley, and legendary sean nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird.

Star pianist Jeffrey Biegel is in town to channel the spirit of the late, great Liberace with the Toledo Symphony this weekend! Listen to his extended interview from Afternoon Classics with Brad Cresswell, including selections from his digital album A Pianist's Journey, plus a preview of his TSO debut in Michael Daugherty's Le Tombeau de Liberace (The Tomb of Liberace). Note: musical selections from A Pianist's Journey included with permission; other recordings have been truncated due to copyright. Photo credit: Jerry LoFaro.

Grammy-winning guitarist (and Musical America's 2020 Instrumentalist of the Year) Sharon Isbin joins us to preview her new album Souvenirs of Spain and Italy. A collaboration with the Pacifica Quartet, the disc uncovers delightful surprises and recasts old favorites in a new light.

John Lunn has scored a number of British TV dramas, none of them more famous than the BBC/PBS hit Downton Abbey. Now, as the film version is released in theaters, the Emmy Award-winning composer joins us to talk about his music for the show, including how he came up with that icon theme.

Becky and David Starobin, librettists for The Thirteenth Child, join us for the backstory on the latest opera from Danish composer Poul Ruders (pictured). Based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, The Thirteenth Child tells the story of a mad king who wants to kill his twelve sons – so that if his thirteenth child is a girl, she alone can inherit his kingdom. We hear about the process of bringing the opera to life, as illustrated by Rouders' other-wordly music, and sample the world premiere recording from the Starobin's label, Bridge Records.

Drostan Hall, music director of Camerata Chicago, joins us to talk about the ensemble's latest release: an"educational" version of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Featuring the wonderful young violinist Amelia Piscitelli, this special two-CD set also includes Vivaldi's sonnets paired with enlightening and entertaining commentary read by radio veteran Steve Robinson.

Augustin Hadelich has released a masterful new album which pairs the concertos of two unlikely bedfellows: Johannes Brahms and György Ligeti. The powerhouse violinist joins us to talk about the project – and why these two seemingly disparate composers might be more alike than you think.

John Schneider, radio personality and music director of the Los Angeles-based Partch Ensemble introduces us to the wild and wooly world of American maverick composer Harry Partch (1901-1974). The ensemble's latest album includes some of Partch's greatest hits (including a heretofore unheard recording of Partch himself performing his hobo song cycle Barstow). Also heard: some lesser-known gems including the title track, Partch's Sonata Dementia (a fascinating musical romp through psychoanalysis).

The latest album from Anna Shelest is an inspired compendium of solo piano selections by female composers spanning the 19th through the 21st centuries. Donna Voce (Woman's Voice) includes spirited works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Lili Boulanger and more. The international award-winning pianist joins us to preview the disc.