Performance Today®

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.

Chinese composer Guo Wenjing was born and raised in the province of Sichuan. He's spent his life absorbing the Chinese musical traditions, including traditional Sichuan folk music. On today's show, hear the Folk Song Suite by Guo Wenjing, from a recent concert in Hangzhou, China.

It's the beginning of the New Year in much of Asia. More than a billion people are ushering in the Year of the Ox with food and family celebrations. Join us as we celebrate the Lunar New Year with a concert highlight from Shanghai, China.

Paul Burgett was a leader in classical music. He was known for his warm spirit and as a visionary behind the Gateways Music Festival, an event celebrating classical musicians of African descent. On today's show, join us as we remember the late great Paul Burgett, as well as a concert highlight from the Gateways Music Festival.

Chinese composer Guo Wenjing was born and raised in the province of Sichuan. He's spent his life absorbing the Chinese musical traditions, including traditional Sichuan folk music. On today's show, hear the Folk Song Suite by Guo Wenjing, from a recent concert in Hangzhou, China.

In 2005, the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma founded the first American Indian summer arts academy, with classes in dance, literature, theater, art, and music composition. On today's show, the Spokane String Quartet plays music by two Chickasaw composers, Dylan Bennett and Miko Begaye.

It's one of most emotionally moving and relevant pieces of the 21st century. On today's show, hear Seven Last Words of the Unarmed by Joel Thompson, performed by the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Morehouse College Glee Club, and the Florida A&M University Concert Choir.

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was a fine marksman, a fencer, and one of the great French violinists of the 1700s. He was also the first known classical composer of African descent. On today's show, hear the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra play Bologne's Symphony in G Major.

In printing and publishing, a watermark is a faint design in paper that's used to identify the time and place the paper came from. Composer Caroline Shaw had a poetic version of that idea and composed a piece that references a Beethoven piano concerto. On today's show, hear Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber orchestra play Watermark, by Caroline Shaw.