Performance Today®

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 cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins.

When Marie Therese Coin Coin was granted her freedom in 1778, she used her business skills to become a landowner, with the goal of purchasing her children's freedom. Composer Jason Moran is Coin Coin's great-great-grand-nephew. On today's show, hear the Imani Winds play "Cane" by Jason Moran - music inspired by Moran's family history.

Composer Lili Boulanger devoted herself to what seemed like an impossible goal. She wanted to win the biggest composition prize of the day, the Prix de Rome, which had only ever been won by men. On today's show, learn about the life and music of Lili Boulanger...and find out if she achieved her goal.

Composer Michael Abels wrote a piece specifically for the great musical brothers: Anthony and Demarre McGill. It's cooperative and competitive, as well as delicate and powerful at the same time. On today's show, hear the McGill brothers perform Winged Creatures, by Michael Abels.

American composer Kenneth Frazelle has spent much of his life close to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. He loves the music of the Appalachians, and often draws on that sound in his own work. On today's show, hear from Frazelle's Fiddler's Galaxy, with Joseph Swensen on the violin/fiddle and Jeffrey Kahane on the piano.

Composer David Kirkland Garner began writing a piece to honor a particular fiddler's legacy, but, as he found out more, he began moving in a very different direction. On today's show, hear a fiddle tune that's been demolished, transformed, and rebuilt: CROW by David Kirkland Garner.

On the last day of 2020, millions of people tuned in to a concert in Lugano, Switzerland. It was a chance to hear a living legend perform: pianist Martha Argerich. On today's show, hear Martha Argerich and the Swiss Italian Orchestra play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 at that New Year's Eve celebration.

American composer Kenneth Frazelle has spent much of his life close to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. He loves the music of the Appalachians, and often draws on that sound in his own work. On today's show, hear from Frazelle's Fiddler's Galaxy, with Joseph Swensen on the violin/fiddle and Jeffrey Kahane on the piano.

Composer Anna Clyne was asked to write something "exuberant" for a festival in London. She created an energetic fanfare...with an old English drinking song thrown in for good measure. On today's show, hear the BBC Symphony Orchestra play Anna Clyne's exuberant Masquerade.