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Finnish composer Jean Sibelius introduces some of his most memorable ideas in his fifth symphony. Inspired by swans in flight, the symphony ends in a magnificent blaze of glory.

Hitchcock could be said to pick up where Syd Barrett left off: He's a master of slightly cracked, psychedelic pop whimsy. In a session from WFUV, he performs new material, including an as-yet-unreleased Peter Buck collaboration called "Propeller Time."

In 1968, Van Morrison released what would become a seminal recording in the history of popular music: Astral Weeks. It is Van Morrison's most praised album — although it was almost shelved by his record label. This year, he's performing every song from the album in select cities, and host Guy Raz caught up with him during his stop in Washington, D.C.

Before he died, the great pianist donated a treasure trove of privately made recordings to Yale University. Now some of those very public recitals are being issued on CD, including searing 1940s performances from Carnegie Hall.

In a session from KEXP, Au Revoir Simone's members set the record straight: Their band name is a Pee-Wee's Big Adventure reference. They are from Brooklyn, not France. With that out of the way, the all-keyboard trio performs sweet melodies from its self-released album.

Throughout Hicks' 40-year career, his eclectic persona, wily wit and quirky combination of cowboy-folk and country-swing music have endeared him to many, including legends such as as Elvis Costello and Willie Nelson. Now, after an eight-year absence, Hicks has released a new album, Tangled Tales.

Whenever the reclusive Carlos Kleiber conducted an orchestra, it was a major event. Hear him bring out all the pent-up emotions in Brahms' final symphony, with the help of the Vienna Philharmonic.

From his haunted guitar to his hobo history to his lighthearted outlook, Seasick Steve is the real deal. This episode of World Cafe offers a close look at one of America's dyed-in-the-wool bluesmen, though he prefers to be called a "song-and-dance man" instead.

After 54 years together, British musician Sir Edward Downes and his wife, a former ballet dancer, decided to end their lives together in a Swiss clinic for assisted suicide. Downes was known for his interpretations of operas by Giuseppe Verdi and of Russian music.

The Fiery Furnaces' new album, I'm Going Away, features pared-down songs to reflect the darker national mood, the brother-sister duo says. For the listener, it's a transporting experience.