Performance Today®

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.

This month marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. We'll be celebrating with plenty of his music, and with works by living composers that find inspiration in Beethoven. On today's show, hear a track from pianist Pamela Howland's new album "Christmas with Beethoven".

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck was born a century ago, and his legacy lives on. His son, Chris Brubeck, is also a renowned musician and composer. On today's show, hear the world premiere performance of the Time Out Suite, an orchestral work that Chris Brubeck arranged in celebration of his father's centennial.

An Tran's childhood in Vietnam is reflected in his music, with sonic images that convey the beauty of his home country. On today's show, meet guitarist An Tran and hear his musical memories of Vietnam.

Composer Stephen Paulus had a long and close relationship with the Minnesota Orchestra until his untimely death in 2014. The orchestra continues to honor his his profound impact on music. On today's show, hear the Minnesota Orchestra play 'Impassioned' from Stephen Paulus's Symphony in Three Movements.

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck was born a century ago, and his legacy lives on. His son, Chris Brubeck, is also a renowned musician and composer. On today's show, hear the world premiere performance of the Time Out Suite, an orchestral work that Chris Brubeck arranged in celebration of his father's centennial.

Johannes Brahms told Anton Bruckner that he just didn't understand his symphonies...and Bruckner replied: "I have the exact same problem with yours." On today's show, we'll hear the New York Philharmonic play music by the often misunderstood Bruckner - the gorgeous slow movement from his Symphony No. 8.

100 years ago, the 19th amendment for the U.S. Constitution was ratified, and women in this country finally won the right to vote. The determination and resilience of the suffragettes inspired future generations, and also inspired music. On today's show, we celebrate with music inspired by the women's suffrage movement.

In the late 1980s, American composer Aaron Jay Kernis heard music written by Hildegard von Bingen more than 800 years ago. Kernis was struck by the powerful simplicity and sheer beauty of that music. On today's show, hear Aaron Jay Kernis's Musica Celestis. It's simply beautiful.