Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

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Scheherazade

Scheherazade

In 1874, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov traveled to the northern coast of the Black Sea. The trip left a lasting impression on the composer; he was intoxicated by the Arabic and Turkish music he heard on the streets and in coffee houses. On this episode of Performance Today, we hear these exotic impressions in a concert performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.

Music for Yom Kippur

Music for Yom Kippur

Sundown this evening marks the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Join us for a special selection of music featuring music by Ernest Bloch, Max Bruch, and more. Also, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler.

Elgar's Enigma Variations

Elgar's Enigma Variations

There's a musical puzzle at the heart of the Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar. Cryptographers have been working on cracking the code for a century. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll share some of the many possible solutions... and enjoy a great performance of the Elgar's Enigma Variations, from the Aspen Music Festival.

Renaissance meets string quartet

Renaissance meets string quartet

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.

PT Weekend: Goodnight Kiwi

PT Weekend: Goodnight Kiwi

When composer Victoria Kelly was a kid in New Zealand, she watched an animated show featuring an adorable kiwi bird. At the end of each episode, the kiwi ended the show by turning out the lights. Kelly used this memory to compose a piece of music that ultimately helped her to say "goodnight" to her ailing mother. On today's show, hear pianist Juho Pohjonen perform Goodnight Kiwi, by Victoria Kelly.

Reflection, grief, and simple beauty

Reflection, grief, and simple beauty

This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Join us today for musical works of reflection, grief, and simple beauty.

The persistent princess

The persistent princess

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. On today's show, hear the Flute Sonata in F Major by Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia.

Victoria Kelly: Goodnight Kiwi

Victoria Kelly: Goodnight Kiwi

When composer Victoria Kelly was a kid in New Zealand, she watched an animated show featuring an adorable kiwi bird. At the end of each episode, the kiwi ended the show by turning out the lights. Kelly used this memory to compose a piece of music that ultimately helped her to say "goodnight" to her ailing mother. On today's show, hear pianist Juho Pohjonen perform Goodnight Kiwi, by Victoria Kelly.

John Adams: Gnarly Buttons

John Adams: Gnarly Buttons

American composer John Adams wrote a piece for clarinetist Michael Collins: "Gnarly Buttons." That unusual title is a half joking reference to how difficult it is to play the clarinet, which has all those difficult keys on it, those... gnarly buttons. On today's show, hear Michael Collins and members of the Minnesota Orchestra play this fun, yet emotional piece of music.

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