Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich

Last year, composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich premiered a new concerto for cello and full orchestra. Zwilich then reimagined that piece for a smaller ensemble of only six players—the limitations of the pandemic made that idea all the more timely, appealing, and safe. On today's show, we'll hear the Cello Concerto for chamber ensemble, by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, performed for a live (online) audience from the spacious Brungard Aviation Hangar, in Boulder, Colorado.

PT Weekend: Cristina Cutts Dougherty

PT Weekend: Cristina Cutts Dougherty

For more than 20 consecutive years now, students from top schools of music around the country have joined us as PT Young Artists in Residence. On this episode of Performance Today, we continue this year's series with tuba player Cristina Cutts Dougherty. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

Enjoy a live Piano Puzzler with Bruce Adolphe and Fred Child
Michael Abels

Michael Abels

American composer Michael Abels has been getting a lot of attention in the past few years; in particular, for his movie music — he's in high demand after scoring Jordan Peele's satire horror films Get Out and Us. On today's show, hear an orchestral piece by Michael Abels: Delights and Dances, from a concert presented by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Young Artist in Residence: Cristina Cutts Dougherty

Young Artist in Residence: Cristina Cutts Dougherty

We're proud to introduce you to our next 2021 PT Young Artist in Residence: tuba player Cristina Cutts Dougherty. Cristina recently joined us from Houston, TX for conversation and music. Touch or click here for more!

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Meet Cristina Cutts Dougherty

Meet Cristina Cutts Dougherty

For more than 20 consecutive years now, students from top schools of music around the country have joined us as PT Young Artists in Residence. On this episode of Performance Today, we continue this year's series with tuba player Cristina Cutts Dougherty.

Zenobia Powell Perry

Zenobia Powell Perry

Zenobia Powell Perry was a life-long civil rights activist, a mother, caregiver, and pianist. In her 40s, while juggling all of her responsibilities, she pursued advanced degrees in music, and began composing. We'll hear one of the many compositions by Zenobia Powell Perry, on this edition of Performance Today.

Thomas Wiggins

Thomas Wiggins

Thomas Wiggins was born blind and into slavery in Georgia in 1849. He became one of the best-known performers in the country in the late 1800s, but due to the times, the fruits of his success may or may not surprise you. Hear the story and music of Thomas Wiggins on this edition of Performance Today.

Under the influence

Under the influence

There's a long tradition of music inspired by visual art, and that continues right up to this day. On today's show, hear the world premiere performance the Violin Concerto by French composer Pascal Zavaro — music that Zavaro says was written "under the influence" of images by Jean-Michel Basquiat.