Performance Today®

When live gives you lemons...

Joseph Haydn was abruptly laid off after working three decades for a Hungarian prince. He took that lemon and made lemonade. Haydn took a trip to London, wrote a dozen symphonies, and found great success late in his career. We'll hear a performance of his "London" Symphony from Belgium. Plus, music as metaphysics with a piano concerto by the young Alexander Scriabin.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Franz Joseph Haydn: Scherzando No. 1 in F (Hob.II: 33) - Menuet & Trio Scherzando No. 2 in C (Hob.II: 34) - Menuet & Trio
Emamanuel Pahud, Flute Haydn Ensemble Berlin; Schellenberger, conductor
EMI 56577

Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 104 in D, Hob. I:104 "London"
North German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra; Michael Sanderling, conductor
Grand Studio, NDR, Hanover, Germany

Carlo Munier: Capriccio Spagnuolo, Op. 276
Ana Belen Tejedor, mandolin; Yiannis Sofos, guitar
GRERT Radio, Athens, Greece

Andre Messager: Pas de Deux from The Two Pigeons (arr. Todd Palmer)
Paul Dunkel, flute; Matthew Dine, oboe; Todd Palmer, clarinet; Karen Lindquist, harp; Daxun Zhang, bass; Jupiter String Quartet
Young Concert Artists and Symphony Space; Symphony Space, New York City, New York

Hour 2

Alexander Scriabin: Vers la Flamme
Ruth Laredo, piano
Scriabin: The Complete Piano Sonatas
Nonesuch 79035

Richard Wagner: Overture to Rienzi
Academy Festival Orchestra; James Gaffigan, conductor
The Granada Theatre, Santa Barbara, California; Music Academy of the West

Alexander Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, Op. 20
Severin von Eckardstein, piano; Liege Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Louis Langree, conductor
Philharmonic Hall, Liege, Belgium

Benedetto Ferrari: Queste pungente spine (These prickly thorns)
Raquel Andueza, soprano; Members of L'Arpeggiata: Christina Pluhar, theorbo; Eero Palviainen, Baroque guitar; Margit Ubellacker, psaltery; Ben Allison, bass Christina Pluhar, artistic director
Carnegie Hall Live! Zankel Hall, New York City, New York

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

Where true joy is serious business

Where true joy is serious business

The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has an official motto. It's carved in stone on the side of their concert hall, a Latin phrase that translates: "True joy is serious business." We'll hear some of that joy from a concert in Leipzig, Germany, on today’s episode of Performance Today.

1:59:00
Rossini's worst critic: Rossini

Rossini's worst critic: Rossini

When composer Gioachino Rossini was 12, he wrote six "terrible" sonatas. WE don't think they're terrible—Rossini is the one that used that word. So, see what you think... join us today to hear Rossini's not-so-terrible String Sonata No. 3 from a concert in Portland, Oregon.

1:59:00
The Year of the Snake

The Year of the Snake

It’s the Year of the Snake! For more than two billion people across many Asian cultures and the Asian diaspora, it's the beginning of a new year, the Lunar New Year. Join us today for celebratory music from Sichuan province, with a violinist born in the Year of the Snake.

1:59:00
Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier'

Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier'

Marc-Andre Hamelin is one of the most celebrated and respected pianists of our time. His performances are known for their brilliance, technical mastery, and deep musicality. On today's show, we'll hear Hamelin play one of the world’s most challenging piano compositions: Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29, the Hammerklavier.

1:59:00
Young Artist in Residence: David Lai

Young Artist in Residence: David Lai

We’re proud to introduce you to pianist David Lai, our newest PT Young Artist in Residence. He joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio — hear his music and the entire interview here!

44:27
Meet David Lai

Meet David Lai

We're pleased to introduce the first of our 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence: pianist David Lai. David joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our Saint Paul studio on today's show.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Music from a summer home

PT Weekend: Music from a summer home

We'll hear the Philadelphia Orchestra in concert at their summer home in Saratoga Springs, New York, on today's show. Conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads a performance of the Prelude to Act One of Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin.

1:59:00
Inon Barnatan and Summerfest La Jolla

Inon Barnatan and Summerfest La Jolla

Pianist Inon Barnatan keeps busy as a musician, playing on the most prestigious stages around the world. He's also the Music Director of Summerfest La Jolla in California. On today's show, we'll hear a stunning performance at a stunning location—Inon Barnatan and violinist Augustin Hadelich play a piece by Camille Saint-Saens at Summerfest La Jolla.

1:59:00
Bruckner the late bloomer

Bruckner the late bloomer

Anton Bruckner was a late bloomer. He wrote his first major piece at age 40. He built some momentum in his 50s, but musicians, critics, and most audiences at the time didn't fully appreciate his work. Bruckner got his first authentic taste of success with a piece he premiered in 1884 at the age of 60. We'll hear from that work on today's show: Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.

1:59:00
Music from a summer home

Music from a summer home

We'll hear the Philadelphia Orchestra in concert at their summer home in Saratoga Springs, New York, on today's show. Conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads a performance of the Prelude to Act One of Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin.

1:59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Performance Today®

To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.

American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

About Performance Today®