Poster Leonard Bernstein in 1971
Leonard Bernstein in 1971
from the U.S. News & World Report collection at the Library of Congress
Performance Today®

Bernstein and the power of Mahler

When Leonard Bernstein was asked to choose music for the funeral of Robert Kennedy, he chose a movement from Mahler's Symphony No. 5. The piece clearly meant a lot to Bernstein, and when he died in 1990, he was buried with a copy of the score laid across his chest. On Thursday's Performance Today, hear the New York Philharmonic play "Adagietto" from Mahler's Symphony No. 5, with Leonard Bernstein conducting.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Ottorino Respighi: The Birds Movement 2 The Dove
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Sir Neville Marriner, conductor
Respighi: The Birds
EMI 47844

Ottorino Respighi: Violin Sonata in B Minor
Paul Huang, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Music@Menlo, The Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton, Atherton, CA

Elmer Bernstein (arr. Patrick Russ): To Kill a Mockingbird: Main Title
Desirae and Deondra Brown, piano
University of Georgia, Hodgson Concert Hall, Athens, GA

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5: Movement 4 Adagietto
New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor
Barber's Adagio - Romantic Favorites - Bernstein
Sony 38484

Hour 2

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 12: Movement 3
Frank Huang, violin; Rohan De Silva, piano
Live from the 2002 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Arabesque Records Z6816

Ricardo Lorenz: Dance Unlikely Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (Baile Improbable)
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra; Andres Cardenes, concert master & director
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, St. John the Divine Church, Houston, TX

Ludwig van Beethoven: Romance for Violin No 2 in F major, Op. 50
Simone Porter, violin; Meng-Chieh Liu, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Enoch Sontonga/John Stafford Smith: Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika & "Star-Spangled Banner"
Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

Mxolisi Matyila (arr. Mzilikazi Khumalo): Bawo Thixo Somandla
Minnesota Chorale; Gauteng Choristers; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

Stompie Mavi (arr. Gobingca George, orch. Jaako Kuusisto): Usilethela uxolo (Nelson Mandela)
Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Gauteng Choristers; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

Traditional: Shosholoza (encore)
Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Gauteng Choristers; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

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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.

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