Poster Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas
Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas
The Portal to Texas History, via Wikimedia Commons
Performance Today®

Juneteenth

'Juneteenth' is the longest-running celebration of the end of slavery. For many Americans, it's a day of reflection on freedom, resilience, and strength.  Tune in today for classical music reflections on the meaning of Juneteenth.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

William Grant Still: Punto
Berlin Symphony Orchestra | Isaiah Jackson, conductor
Album: Still: La Guiablessee, Danzas de Panama, Quit Dat Fool'nish, Summerland
Koch International Classics

Traditional, arr. Terence Blanchard: A City Called Heaven
Jubilant Sykes, baritone | Terence Blanchard, piano
Album: Jubilant Sykes
Sony Classical

Carlos Simon: Between Worlds
Hannah White, violin
Sphinx Virtuosi, Lillian & Robert Utsey Chamber Music Series, Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Daniel Bernard Roumain: Filter, for solo violin
Samuel Nebyu, violin
Lucerne Festival, St Luke's Church, Lucerne, Switzerland

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor Op. 19: Movement 1: Lento - Allegro moderato
Bion Tsang, cello | Stewart Goodyear, piano
Seattle Chamber Music Society, The Center for Chamber Music, Seattle, WA

Henry Purcell: Dido And Aeneas: Dido's Lament
Jessye Norman, soprano | English Chamber Ensemble | Sir Thomas Allen, conductor
Album: Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
Decca International

William Grant Still: Two Pieces from the Lyric Quartet: The Quiet One and The Sentimental One
Harlem Quartet
Maverick Concerts, Maverick Concert Hall, Woodstock, NY

Hour 2

David Baker: Clarinet Sonata: Movement 1: Blues
James Campbell, clarinet; Leonard Hokanson, piano
Album: David Baker at Bay Chamber Concerts
Cala 77010

Julius Klengel: Hymnus Op. 57 for 12 Cellos
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello | Rowena Calvert, cello | Jo Cole, cello | Ben Davies, cello | Caroline Dearnley, cello | Ashok Klouda, cello | Josephine Knight, cello | Robert Max, cello | Chris Murray, cello | Desmond Neysmith, cello | Hannah Roberts, cello | Nicholas Trygstad, cello
Album: Elgar
London/Decca 31491

Valerie Coleman: Tzigane for woodwind quintet
Elizabeth Mann, flute | Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, oboe | Anton Rist, clarinet | Michael Kroth, bassoon | Michael Thornton, horn
Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado Springs, CO

David Baker: Roots II
Eliot Heaton, violin | Max Geissler, cello | Michelle Cann, piano
Geneva Music Festival, Froelich Hall, Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, Hobart & William Smith College, Geneva, NY

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

PT Weekend: A special Piano Puzzler

PT Weekend: A special Piano Puzzler

PT Young Artist David Lai is a devoted fan of our weekly game, the Piano Puzzler. He submits his guesses every week and has even written Piano Puzzler-style pieces of his own. On today’s program, pianist David Lai joins Bruce Adolphe (in person!) at our St. Paul studio to see if he can guess this week's Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
The GLISS Composition Residency

The GLISS Composition Residency

The GLISS Composition Residency offers trans-feminine composers a unique summer opportunity for mentorship and community building. Tune in today to learn more about the program and its founders on today’s show.

1:59:00
David Lai

David Lai

We're pleased to present pianist David Lai, one of our 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's show, David joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our Saint Paul studio.

1:59:00
PT Young Artist David Lai plays the Piano Puzzler

PT Young Artist David Lai plays the Piano Puzzler

PT Young Artist David Lai is a devoted fan of our weekly game, the Piano Puzzler. He submits his guesses every week and has even written Piano Puzzler-style pieces of his own. On today’s program, pianist David Lai joins Bruce Adolphe (in person!) at our St. Paul studio to see if he can guess this week's Piano Puzzler.

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
Composer Viet Cuong

Composer Viet Cuong

In 2022, composer Viet Cuong found himself at his father's bedside in the ICU. He played some of his compositions—music he knew his father loved—and hoped that the sound, or "sine waves," would reach his father's consciousness. Cuong realized that his love for his father and his passion for music were inseparable. Join us for a concert at the University of Georgia to hear “Vital Sines” by Viet Cuong.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Meet Victor Ni

PT Weekend: Meet Victor Ni

We're pleased to introduce you to clarinetist Victor Ni, our next 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's program, Victor joins Fred Child for music and conversation in our Saint Paul studio. Plus, Bruce Adolphe joins us for this week’s Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Augustin Hadelich and the St Louis Symphony

Augustin Hadelich and the St Louis Symphony

Once troubled by pre-concert jitters so intense that he needed a push to get on stage, violinist Augustin Hadelich has discovered a new sense of calm. Breathing exercises have transformed his performance experience, making the stage feel like home. On today's program, Agustin Hadelich and the St. Louis Symphony play music by Samuel Barber.

1:59:00
Julio Medaglia

Julio Medaglia

Composer Julio Medaglia was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1938. He studied conducting in Germany for ten years before returning to Brazil to conduct and compose. For 30 years, he hosted a daily radio show in São Paulo that sounded similar to PT, combining concert highlights and contemporary music. On today's show, we'll hear the Imani Winds play Julio Medaglia's 'Belle Epoque en Sud-America,’ including a really fun movement named "Crazy Baby Clarinette!"

1:59:00
Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Clarinetist Victor Ni is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Victor recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Victor’s music and the entire interview here.

42:34
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®

We can help you find classical music you'll love

  • Take a 2 minute quiz to share your taste
  • We'll recommend YourClassical programming just for you
  • Discover the power and joy of classical music
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00