Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

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Alexi Kenney

Alexi Kenney

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.

PT Weekend: Libby Larsen

PT Weekend: Libby Larsen

Grammy award-winning composer Libby Larsen takes inspiration from Dvorak's work with African-American spirituals in her 2014 composition, Sorrow Song and Jubilee. Hear this fascinating blend of styles and more on this episode of Performance Today.

Formosa Quartet: Together again

Formosa Quartet: Together again

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.

The Havana Lyceum Orchestra

The Havana Lyceum Orchestra

An orchestra of talented young players from Cuba recently traveled to Berlin. Join us today for a highlight from that extraordinary concert. It's the Havana Lyceum Orchestra, on this edition of Performance Today.

Copland: El Salon Mexico

Copland: El Salon Mexico

In 1932, Aaron Copland went to an all-night dance hall in Mexico City and was struck by the spirit of the place. He said he felt in live contact with the humanity and dignity of the Mexican people. On today's show, hear the music inspired by that dance club: El Salon Mexico by Aaron Copland.

Agustín Barrios: The Cathedral

Agustín Barrios: The Cathedral

Composer and guitarist Agustín Barrios was in a cathedral listening to heavenly music...then he walked out into the city and felt assaulted by the sudden change from serenity to noise. On today's show, hear the music he wrote in response to that experience: The Cathedral, by Agustín Barrios.

The African Diaspora Music Project

The African Diaspora Music Project

On today's show, we speak to scholar and soprano Dr. Louise Toppin, creator of the African Diaspora Music Project, a database of music written by Black composers from all around the world. Toppin's goal is to bring classical music written by Black people to concert halls worldwide.

PT Weekend: The Schumann Quartet

PT Weekend: The Schumann Quartet

Three members of the Schumann Quartet are siblings from a family named Schumann, and their father's name was Robert Schumann...but no relation to the famous composer. In this episode, we'll sort out the names and hear the Schumann Quartet play music by Schumann, plus Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler.

Enrique Crespo

Enrique Crespo

Enrique Crespo was a supremely talented composer and trombonist. He was raised in Uruguay but spent most of his career in Germany writing great music for brass ensembles. We've got an example of Enrique Crespo's brassy creativity on this edition of Performance Today.

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