From the beginning of his presidency, Obama's centerpiece of his national security strategy has been a desire to move beyond the wars he inherited in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in the shadowy spaces occupied by al-Qaida and its offshoots now creeping up in North Africa and elsewhere.

NPR: Obama Refocuses Terror Threat To Pre-9/11 Level

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra collaborated with hip-hop artist Al Kapone for a program of orchestral-backed rap as part of its Opus One series performed in alternative spaces.

WSJ: New World Symphony Tries Remix of Classical Music for iPod Generation