Composer Donnacha Dennehy has released an excerpt from his Violin Concerto's second movement, performed by National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, conductor Ryan McAdams, and violinist Stephen Waarts, from the upcoming album Limina. You can hear the five-minute excerpt of the second movement, “Tranquil and spacious,” and watch the video, made by Laura Sheeran during the album's recording at National Concert Hall, Dublin. The new album, due August 28, also includes the orchestra and McAdams performing Dennehy’s piano concerto Limina with pianist Eliza McCarthy.

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer—whose album with Henry Threadgill and Dafnis Prieto, Fifteen, is due August 21 on Nonesuch—stopped by for the Nonesuch Selects video series, in which artists visit the Nonesuch office, pick some of their favorite albums from the music library, and share a few words on their choices. He chose recordings by Ramnad Krishnan, Laurie Anderson, Julius Hemphill, Kronos Quartet, and Cécile McLorin Salvant, and from the Nonesuch Explorer Series.

Rhiannon Giddens is at two festivals in upstate NY—Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival and Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival—then at Dartmouth. Punch Brothers are also upstate, at Caramoor and Point of the Bluff. Mary Halvorson and Cécile McLorin Salvant are at Pori Jazz Festival in Finland; Halvorson then heads to Lublin Jazz Festival in Poland. Molly Tuttle tours California.

Robert Plant will receive the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium on September 16. "Robert Plant's relationship with Americana music extends far beyond influence—it is one of genuine passion, stewardship and artistic curiosity," the Association's Executive Director Jed Hilly said. "His willingness to immerse himself in the traditions of blues, folk, country and gospel, while continuing to push their boundaries, has expanded the audience for Americana around the world. Few artists have done more to honor the music's past while helping shape its future. We are thrilled to recognize his extraordinary contributions with the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award."

The collective trio of saxophonist and flutist Henry Threadgill, pianist Vijay Iyer, and drummer Dafnis Prieto have shared "Gently Trapped," a Prieto-penned tune from their upcoming album Fifteen, due August 21. You can watch the video, made during the recording session, here. Fifteen is the Nonesuch debut for all three musicians. 

Flea performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concert of songs from his debut solo album, Honora, with the musicians on the record—album producer saxophonist Josh Johnson, guitarist Jeff Parker, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Deantoni Parks: "Traffic Lights," "Morning Cry," and "A Plea." "Working with the musicians that I've worked with has been the most exciting part," Flea told NPR's Kara Frame after the performance, "just jamming, connecting and feeling who they are." You can watch it here.

The 74th DownBeat Critics Poll results are in, and among the winners are cover subject Mary Halvorson for Artist, Guitar, and Group (Amaryllis) of the Year; Ambrose Akinmusire, Trumpet; Cécile McLorin Salvant, Female Vocalist; Darcy James Argue, Arranger; and Rhiannon Giddens, Beyond Artist.

North Sea Jazz takes place in Rotterdam with Artist in Residence Cécile McLorin Salvant, Flea, and Mary Halvorson. Laurie Anderson and Sexmob perform at National Concert Hall in Dublin. Timo Andres music is performed at Carnegie Hall. Hurray for the Riff Raff plays close to home in Chicago. Robert Plant and Saving Grace are in Greece. Ringdown performs near Portland. Molly Tuttle is in Chula Visa, CA, with Chris Stapleton.

Natalie Merchant’s Cabinet of Wonder—a digital collection of 17 songs and accompanying videos from her collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT)—is due August 21 on Nonesuch Records. Cabinet of Wonder reimagines Mother Goose and her rhymes for a new generation of young children through modern interpretations of the classic children’s canon and three originals by Merchant—performed by her, musicians from the CSO and special guests—in orchestral arrangements by Megan Gould. Two songs from the album, “Little Miss Muffet” and “Peter Pumpkin Eater,” along with their videos, are available today. Cabinet of Wonder represents three years of behind-the-scenes work among the project’s collaborators and the culmination of Merchant's four decades of involvement in children’s arts and education. 

Flea, who performs with his Honora band at North Sea Jazz in Rotterdam this Saturday, is on the latest episode of Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud to talk about his album Honora, his childhood, finding freedom in music, and more. You can watch their conversation on YouTube and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts here.

Punch Brothers were on CBS Saturday Morning's Fourth of July episode to perform Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" as well as two songs from their upcoming instrumental album, The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers, out July 24: "New Bike" and "Song of the Water Kelpie (unsung)." You can watch all three performances, filmed at beautiful Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Colorado, here.

Emmylou Harris stopped by for the Nonesuch Selects video series, in which artists visit the Nonesuch office, pick some of their favorite albums from the music library, and share a few words on their choices. She chose recordings by Bulgarian State Television Female Choir, Laurie Anderson, Nonesuch Explorer Series, Ry Cooder, The Low Anthem, and Kate & Anna McGarrigle.