Anthony Barfield wrote a piece with thoughts about the Big Bang, the idea that the universe expanded from a single point, almost 14 billion years ago. On today's show, join us for music that contemplates space, matter, and energy: Red Sky, by Anthony Barfield. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s piano puzzler!
Duke Ellington was already a jazz legend when he introduced a new symphonic suite at Carnegie Hall in 1943. On today's episode, hear the Black, Brown, and Beige Suite, by Duke Ellington, from a recent concert in Turin, Italy.
Anthony Barfield wrote a piece with thoughts about the Big Bang, the idea that the universe expanded from a single point, almost 14 billion years ago. On today's show, join us for music that contemplates space, matter, and energy: Red Sky, by Anthony Barfield.
La Folia is a melody that originated in the 15th century. Mexican composer Manuel Ponce elaborated on that simple tune and turned it into a 20+ minute tour de force for solo guitar. On today's show hear Polish guitarist Marcin Dylla perform Ponce's variations on La Folia, from a concert in Interlochen, Michigan.
Renaissance music is lacking music written specifically for string quartet. String quartets didn't become a "thing" until over a hundred and fifty years after the Renaissance period. So, violinist Maureen Nelson got creative and arranged music from that era for string quartet. On today's show, hear Maureen Nelson and fellow members of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra play that arrangement, the Renaissance Suite.
Composer Granville Bantock loved his Scottish heritage, and he loved the seafaring traditions of the British Isles. Near the end of his life, in 1940, he wrote a piece about the lure of the open sea. On today's show, the Buffalo Philharmonic plays A Celtic Symphony, by Granville Bantock.
During the COVID lockdown in 2020, composer Sally Beamish missed her family dearly, and she poured her longing for connection into a new concerto. On today's show, hear the world premiere of 'Distans', by Sally Beamish, from a concert in Stockholm, Sweden.
English composer Ruth Gipps was born in 1921. She composed music throughout her life, but she was also a champion of 20th century music. Gipps founded two orchestras that focussed on music by living composers, and she fought for the place of women among contemporary composers, conductors and performers right up until her death in 1999. On today's show, hear a piece that conductor Jessica Horsley describes as "...the sort of music that just makes everything alright in the world. It heals all wounds", the Symphony No. 2 by Ruth Gipps.
Around the world, November 11th is Remembrance Day or Armistice Day, and here in the U.S., we celebrate it as Veterans Day. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll honor those who've served our country in uniform, and hear highlights from the United States Marine Band.
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