Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

PT Weekend: Maria Newman

PT Weekend: Maria Newman

Maria Newman was born into a family of famous, formidable composers. She was so intimidated when she was growing up she gave up composition altogether. In the end, though, she had music inside her that just had to come out. On today's show, learn about how Maria Newman stepped into her own as a composer, and hear her Sonata for Solo Guitar 'Storgé' performed by guitarist Nicholas Goluses.

Alexis Alrich: Marimba Concerto

Alexis Alrich: Marimba Concerto

Join us today to hear from a new marimba concerto by composer Alexis Alrich, with Dame Evelyn Glennie on the marimba and conductor Jean Thorel leading the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong.

Performance Today in the Classroom
New York Out Loud

New York Out Loud

Explore the sounds of New York City with PT and host Fred Child.

An American Mosaic

An American Mosaic

Composer Richard Danielpour recently wrote a piece in honor of those affected by the pandemic. On today's show, pianist Simone Dinnerstein plays from Richard Danielpour’s ‘An American Mosaic.’

Maria Newman steps into her own

Maria Newman steps into her own

Maria Newman was born into a family of famous, formidable composers. She was so intimidated when she was growing up she gave up composition altogether. In the end, though, she had music inside her that just had to come out. On today's show, learn about how Maria Newman stepped into her own as a composer, and hear her Sonata for Solo Guitar 'Storgé' performed by guitarist Nicholas Goluses.

Mahler's Symphony No. 6

Mahler's Symphony No. 6

The final movement of Mahler's Symphony No. 6 is epic. Thirty minutes of emotional energy that bursts with dramatic tension, culminating in three powerful hammer blows. On today's show, we'll hear the Boston Symphony perform it in concert, Andris Nelsons conducting.

Kenji Bunch: 'The 3 Gs'

Kenji Bunch: 'The 3 Gs'

Kenji Bunch gave one of his recent compositions a rather unusual title. Join us today to hear this piece and the story behind that title: 'The 3 Gs' by Kenji Bunch.

PT Weekend: Shaking things up

PT Weekend: Shaking things up

As a church organist, the young Charles Ives didn't really want to play the same hymns in the same old way. He played around some edgy harmonies and overlapping tunes, much to the shock of the congregation. The pastor had an opinion too. On today's show, hear about Charles Ives and his creative liberties, and hear the Escher String Quartet perform Ives's ‘String Quartet No. 1’ at a concert at Lincoln Center.