Performance Today®

with host Valerie Kahler

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.

All Episodes

Tyler Martin

Tyler Martin

For more than 20 years now, students from top music schools have joined us as PT Young Artists in Residence, and today we'll hear from one of the Young Artists in this year's series. Join us for music and conversation with a truly inspiring artist and music advocate, flutist Tyler Martin.

Michelle Cann

Michelle Cann

Pianist Michelle Cann works to make classical music accessible for everyone. She sees it as an honor to be in a position to have some impact, and we here at PT are honored to feature her work. Join us today to hear Michelle Cann perform a concerto by Ernest Chausson, along with violinist Jinjoo Cho and the Verona String Quartet.

Eleanor Alberga

Eleanor Alberga

Eleanor Alberga decided she wanted to be a concert pianist when she was five. By age ten, she was composing works for the piano. Alberga is now a highly-regarded music composer for much more than just piano. On today's show, hear members of the Minnesota Orchestra play "Shining Gate of Morpheus" by Eleanor Alberga.

Ahmed Alabaca: Ascension

Ahmed Alabaca: Ascension

Composer Ahmed Alabaca identifies as nonbinary. They told us their joyful exploration of their gender identity has significantly impacted their musical creativity. Join us today to hear a superb example of that creativity: "Ascension" by Ahmed Alabaca.

PT Weekend: Debussy's court music

PT Weekend: Debussy's court music

When Claude Debussy wrote music for the ballet "Jeux," he was picturing a game of tennis between two women and one young man. In tennis, "love" means nothing; in Debussy's music, love is everything. On today's episode, we'll hear romance and seduction on the courts, from a concert by the New York Philharmonic.

Mark Adamo

Mark Adamo

On today's show, we'll hear a cello concerto that premiered last fall: Last Year by Mark Adamo. Adamo described it as an updated, environmental take on a familiar classic by Vivaldi.

Performance Today in the Classroom: Sterling Elliott

Performance Today in the Classroom: Sterling Elliott

Meet Sterling Elliott and learn about the cello in this episode of Performance Today in the Classroom! Sterling explains about his instrument, how he began playing, and will showcase his favorite cello repertoire! Listen to pieces ranging from Bach to contemporary pieces only a couple years old!

Beethoven for Three

Beethoven for Three

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Emanuel Ax, and violinist Leonidas Kavakos recently released a new album titled "Beethoven for Three." The idea is to take play Beethoven's symphonies arranged for a trio. It works surprisingly well, and we love it! Hear a couple of these pieces and a conversation with the musicians on this episode of Performance Today.

Debussy: Jeux

Debussy: Jeux

When Claude Debussy wrote music for the ballet "Jeux," he was picturing a game of tennis between two women and one young man. In tennis, "love" means nothing; in Debussy's music, love is everything. On today's episode, we'll hear romance and seduction on the courts, from a concert by the New York Philharmonic.

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