Performance Today®

In 1936, Carlos Chavez wrote a symphony based on the melodies and percussive sounds of Mexican indigenous music, and now his piece is played around the world. On today's show, hear the Polish Radio Orchestra play Chavez's Symphony No. 2 (the Sinfonia India), from a concert in Warsaw, Poland.

Conrad Tao wrote a piece when he was 15 years old called Eventide. It's inspired by the gentle arrival of night. Now, a dozen years later, it's still one of his favorites. On today's show, we'll hear Conrad Tao and friends play Eventide, from a concert in Rockport, Maine.

Composer Jennifer Higdon wrote Blue Cathedral in 2000. It was inspired by an imaginary vision of a glass cathedral in the sky. On today's show, The Orchestra Now (TON) takes us on a journey through that cathedral. Blue Cathedral by Jennifer Higdon, from a concert in upstate New York.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor wrote his Nonet in London in 1893, when he was only 18 years old. On today's show, hear this remarkable work, a piece that deserves to be played and heard so much more. Also, hear Grieg's Holberg Suite performed at a recent concert in Taiwan.

The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King has rattled through current events this past year. His impact is more important than ever. Join us for this special edition of Performance Today honoring Dr. King through music. We'll hear music he loved and the pieces composed by musicians who loved him.

Composer Arvo Part is famous for the beautifully stark simplicity of his music...and he is a hero in his native country of Estonia. Every year, the city of Tallinn throws a big birthday bash for him called Arvo Part Days. On today's show, hear a performance of L'abbe Agathon by Arvo Part, from a concert celebrating his 85th birthday. Plus, the Italian Saxophone Quartet plays a rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody!

At some point, many music students "forget" to practice. When Jennifer Higdon was in graduate school, she "forgot" to practice her flute so often, she stopped playing altogether. On today's show, find out what made Higdon forget the flute altogether...and become a Pulitzer Prize winning composer.

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 Maran's family history.

Composer Arvo Part is famous for the beautifully stark simplicity of his music...and he is a hero in his native country of Estonia. Every year, the city of Tallinn throws a big birthday bash for him called Arvo Part Days. On today's show, hear a performance of L'abbe Agathon by Arvo Part, from a concert celebrating his 85th birthday.