Performance Today®

We're in the middle of the shortest days and longest nights of the year. It feels to us like a good moment for a quiet break. For today's show, we invite you to pause, reflect, and join us for some musical contemplation.

Ludwig van Beethoven was born 250 years ago, and his musical legacy continues to extend into countless works by other composers. On today's show, we celebrate Beethoven's legacy with music from living composers, and Beethoven himself.

Ferde Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite doesn't seem like music for Christmas, at least not on it's own, but then it was used in a crucial part of the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story." On this episode of Performance Today, hear music from a wide range of classic movies about Christmas.

In 1918, Sergei Prokofiev was inspired by a collection of tunes that were often played at Jewish weddings and dances. Prokofiev improvised on the klezmer melodies, borrowed a gorgeous wedding tune, and created an expressive work of music. On today's show, hear the Overture on Hebrew Themes by Sergei Prokofiev, from a concert in Pittsburgh.

When violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley was a kid, his family Hanukkah included lots of latkes and lots of klezmer. On today's show, Noah Bendix-Balgley shares memories and music for Hanukkah, and tells us who makes the best latkes in the world.

After a long break from composing, Steven Bryant found himself struggling to write music again. He discovered that he couldn't force the music, that when he turned inward and just listened, he was able to write the music he wanted to hear, music intended to spread joy. On today's show, hear the United States Marine Band perform "Radiant Joy" by Steven Bryant.

When violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley was a kid, his family Hanukkah included lots of latkes and lots of klezmer. On today's show, Noah Bendix-Balgley shares memories and music for Hanukkah, and tells us who makes the best latkes in the world.

What does it mean to be a 21st century classical musician? Ray Chen devotes several hours a day to practicing his violin, AND he devotes time every day to making videos for social media. On today's show, hear 21st century violinist Ray Chen play Camille Saint-Saens's "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Composer Wang Jie is a fervent believer in the unique and personal conversation that each listener has with a composer through the music. On today's show, find your own musical dialog with the composer in the Symphony No. 1 by Wang Jie, from a concert by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor JoAnn Falletta.