American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.
In 1948, American composer William Grant Still was inspired by some poems about the natural beauty of the American South. On this episode of Performance Today, take a break with us and hear Wood Notes, William Grant Still's work of quiet musical contemplation.
At some point, many music students procrastinate when it comes to practicing. 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.
Composer Margi Griebling-Haigh is part of a musical family in Cleveland, with quite a few professional composers and musicians, so it's no surprise that family celebrations are bursting with music. We'll hear a rhapsody she wrote for her daughter's wedding on this episode of Performance Today.
Composer Richard Scofano wrote a 15 minute piece of music inspired by a hopeful vision of the future. On today's show, hear La Tierra sin Mal (The Land Without Evil) by Richard Scofano; a musical journey through struggle, determination, and finally, the discovery of peace and serenity.
Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye wrote a piece of music inspired by the ginkgo biloba, a tree species that has existed for more than 200 million years. On today's show, we'll take you to a recent concert in Melbourne, Australia to hear that piece: The Faint Ginkgo, by Xiaogang Ye.
Joachim Prinz was a tireless advocate for human rights, a man who confronted injustice and oppression wherever he saw it. He once said, "The most tragic problem is silence." On today's show, hear music inspired by the life and words of Joachim Prinz: I Will Not Remain Silent, by Bruce Adolphe.
Composer Richard Scofano wrote a 15 minute piece of music inspired by a hopeful vision of the future. On today's show, hear La Tierra sin Mal (The Land Without Evil) by Richard Scofano; a musical journey through struggle, determination, and finally, the discovery of peace and serenity.
Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly heard Roma bands when he was growing up, and later incorporated some of those tunes into his own music. On today's show, hear Kodaly's Dances of Galanta, from a recent concert in Stockholm, Sweden.
During the 1920s, Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu began to withdraw from the styles in which he was trained, and ballets became his favorite medium for experimentation. On today's show, hear ballet music set in an unusual setting: La Revue de Cuisine (Kitchen Revue) by Bohuslav Martinu.
