Equally at home standing in front of an orchestra or penning his own work, Pierre Boulez is one of the most important musical figures of our time.

Articulate and outspoken, pianist András Schiff takes a stand on issues ranging from the commercialization of classical music to the rise of right-wing nationalism in Austria.

Conductor Jeffrey Tate spent a good deal of his childhood in hospitals and wheelchairs. To repay modern medicine for teaching him to walk, he became a doctor. But his greatest contribution to society has been through his music.

Not even a paper cut that nearly wrecked his career as a concert pianist could keep virtuouso Murray Perahia away from music. Now fully recovered after several operations, critics say his work is better than ever.

Singer Jessye Norman has been described as the "virtual incarnation of the mask of tragedy" for the mournful operatic roles she has played. But these days, she's playing a more comfortable role: Healer of the soul and Girl Scout.