Poster Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, Montana
Austin Beausoleil
Performance Today®

Stephen Lias' Crown of the Continent

This year marks the 100th anniversary of our National Park system. On Friday's Performance Today, composer Stephen Lias joins us to discuss how he discovered a love of the outdoors, and how the National Parks have inspired 20 of his compositions. And we'll hear one such piece; Crown of the Continent, inspired by Glacier National Park.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Jean-Baptiste Lully: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Tempesta di Mare; Gwyn Roberts and Richard Stone, directors; Emlyn Ngai, concertmaster
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83
Igor Levit, piano
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA

Charles Te Ahukaramu Royal: Aio
Charles Te Ahukaram Royal, vocals; Horomona Horo and James Webster, taonga puoro
Philharmonia Hall, Auckland, New Zealand

Hour 2

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp Major, Op. 78
Youlan Ji, piano
Cliburn Junior Piano Competition, Ed Landreth Hall, TCU, Fort Worth, TX

Stephen Lias: Crown of the Continent
Moravian Philharmonic
Parma

Max Bruch: String Octet in B flat major, Op. posth.
Scott Yoo, violin; Mark Chien, violin; Stefan Hersh, violin; Mary Grace Johnson, violin; Virginia Barron, viola; Emily Brandenburg, viola; Ray Kim, cello; Rachel Calin, bass
Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado Springs, CO

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

Maria Dueñas

Maria Dueñas

Violinist Maria Dueñas is a university student, but she already has a global following and is selling out concert halls worldwide. Gustavo Dudamel says: "She has the magic... an artistic soul. She is fire." We’ll hear Maria Dueñas play a concerto by Max Bruch on today’s show.

1:59:00
The Aznavoorian Duo

The Aznavoorian Duo

The Aznavoorian sisters gave their first concert at a local church when cellist Ani was four and pianist Marta was eight. Ani and Marta have each grown up to have successful careers, and now, they're sharing a stage again. Join us to hear sisters Ani and Marta Aznavoorian play at a concert presented by the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida.

1:59:00
The intersection of classical and jazz

The intersection of classical and jazz

Nikolai Kapustin’s compositions are full of joyful syncopations, and some listeners called him a jazz pianist. But, Kapustin emphasized that he was a classically trained composer who just happened to love jazz. We’ll hear Kapustin’s music at the intersection of classical and jazz on today’s show.

1:59:00
Michael Abels: Winged Creatures

Michael Abels: Winged Creatures

Composer Michael Abels wrote a piece specifically for brothers Anthony and Demarre McGill. It's cooperative and competitive, as well as delicate and powerful at the same time. On today's show, hear the McGill brothers perform Winged Creatures by Michael Abels.

1:59:00
Ruth Gipps: Symphony No. 2

Ruth Gipps: Symphony No. 2

On today's show, hear a piece that conductor Jessica Horsley describes as "...the sort of music that just makes everything alright in the world. It heals all wounds…" It’s the Symphony No. 2 by Ruth Gipps.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Richard Danielpour

PT Weekend: Richard Danielpour

Dante's Divine Comedy takes us through hell, purgatory, and paradise. Composer Richard Danielpour says he sees a metaphor for the recent pandemic in that, and he wrote a new symphony reflecting on those themes. The ensemble ROCO plays Danielpour's Triptych on this weekend's episode of Performance Today.

1:59:00
El Dia de los Muertos

El Dia de los Muertos

El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a time to joyfully remember family and friends who've passed away. Because death is always present, life is worth living to the fullest. Today, we’re celebrating life... on the Day of the Dead.

1:59:00
Alim Beisembayev

Alim Beisembayev

Winning a music competition often means winning cash prizes and publicity galore. Pianist Alim Beisembayev also won the chance to perform the world premiere of a new piece. He'll play a brand piano concerto by Eleanor Alberga on today's show.

1:59:00
The Piano Puzzler

The Piano Puzzler

Every week on our Piano Puzzler, composer Bruce Adolphe re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. One of our listeners calls in and tries to guess the tune and the composer whose style Bruce is mimicking. Tune in and play along with our weekly musical game: the Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Wang Jie: The Night When You See Again

Wang Jie: The Night When You See Again

In 2022, the Apollo Chamber Players commissioned a work by composer Wang Jie. Wang Jie, also trained as an organist, wrote the piece for the unusual combination of pipe organ and string quartet. On today's show, we'll hear the Apollo Chamber Players and organist Daryl Robinson play the world premiere of The Night When You See Again by Wang Jie.

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®