Performance Today®

Alexi Kenney first appeared on Performance Today as a Young Artist in Residence back in 2015. Since then, he has become one of the greatest violinists of his generation. In this episode, we hear his renditions of classic compositions resonate inside the beautiful St. Francis Church in Locarno, Switzerland.

Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia had a tyrannical father who punished her for playing music. Her life didn't get any easier when her father died, but music remained her secret source of comfort. We'll hear a flute sonata by Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia on today's show.

In 1922, Danish composer Carl Nielsen was working on a wind quintet when he had an idea. He turned a simple hymn tune into a theme with a wide variety of variations... one of which even imitates the sound of bagpipes. On today's show, experience the dynamic moods and sounds of Nielsen's Wind Quintet from a concert presented by Camerata Pacifica.

Memorial Day. It's the unofficial beginning of summer, but that's not what this holiday is about. On today's show, we mark the day with music by American composers and recognize the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

A few years ago, composer Rick Sowash set a poem to music, creating a song. And then he turned that song into a musical conversation between flute and cello. On today's show, hear the Sylvan Trio perform the result: Seasonal Breezes by Rick Sowash. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

Jiji is a guitarist from Seoul, South Korea. When she was nine, she performed for a well-known guitarist...who was harshly critical of her playing. So, she hatched an 18-year "revenge" plan - to become a professional guitarist. Jiji plays Asturias by Isaac Albeniz on today's show, from a recent concert at the Honest Brook Music Festival in Delhi, New York.

The Formosa Quartet finally ended their year-and-a-half-long COVID-era break with hugs, smiles, and a terrific concert performance. On today's show, hear a reunited Formosa Quartet performance in San Francisco.

A few years ago, composer Rick Sowash set a poem to music, creating a song. And then he turned that song into a musical conversation between flute and cello. On today's show, hear the Sylvan Trio perform the result: Seasonal Breezes by Rick Sowash.

What would you do for love? Could you write a song expressing your passion? And if the person you care for fell in love with somebody else, could you let them go so they could be happy? We'll hear that these answers can be found in classic operas on this episode of Performance Today.