Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

A genuine trailblazer

A genuine trailblazer

Simply put, Dora Pejačević was a trailblazer. She became the first Croatian composer to write a concerto in 1913. Then, while serving as a nurse in World War One, she wrote what is considered to be the first modern symphony in Croatian music. On today's show, we'll hear Pejačević's Piano Quartet in D minor from a concert presented by the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester, New York.

PT Weekend: Leila Josefowicz

PT Weekend: Leila Josefowicz

Violinist Leila Josefowicz has forged a tremendous career specializing in 20th and 21st-century music. At times, Josefowicz has faced reluctance or resistance from what she sees as the somewhat stodgy traditions in some parts of the classical music world. Still, she believes that the greatest music happens when one overcomes fear and pushes the traditional boundaries.  On today's show, Leila Josefowicz plays Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D Major, backed by conductor Donald Runnicles and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra.

Kwamé Ryan and the Charlotte Symphony

Kwamé Ryan and the Charlotte Symphony

It can be a delicate moment when an orchestra names a new music director—orchestras can be a little cool toward new conductors. The Charlotte Symphony has stepped up and welcomed its Music Director Designate with a party atmosphere. We'll hear the fruits of this new partnership on today's show: Kwamé Ryan leads the Charlotte Symphony in a hometown performance.

Unexpected serenity

Unexpected serenity

When deadlines are tight and work is stressful, the baby also starts crying, but for composer Valerie Coleman, her newborn's need for comfort created "unexpected serenity." On this episode of PT, we'll hear a trio written with a baby in one hand and a pen in the other: Rubispheres by Valerie Coleman.

Leila Josefowicz on embracing fear

Leila Josefowicz on embracing fear

Violinist Leila Josefowicz has forged a tremendous career specializing in 20th and 21st-century music. At times, Josefowicz has faced reluctance or resistance from what she sees as the somewhat stodgy traditions in some parts of the classical music world. Still, she believes that the greatest music happens when one overcomes fear and pushes the traditional boundaries.  On today's show, Leila Josefowicz plays Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D Major, backed by conductor Donald Runnicles and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra.

Chausson's wild 'Chamber Concerto'

Chausson's wild 'Chamber Concerto'

In 1890, French composer Ernest Chausson wrote a wild piece that's difficult to put in one tidy box. It's part violin concerto, part piano concerto, and part sextet. It’s a great piece that isn’t played often enough. Tune in today to listen to a live performance of the Chamber Concerto by Ernest Chausson from the annual Verbier Festival in Verbier, Switzerland.

Stewart Goodyear's lifelong love of Beethoven

Stewart Goodyear's lifelong love of Beethoven

At age three, Stewart Goodyear found boxes of his father's LPs. He devoured all of Beethoven's symphonies, one after another. And then, he listened to all the sonatas in one sitting, and with that, a lifelong love of Beethoven emerged. Pianist Stewart Goodyear plays Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 on today’s show.

PT Weekend: A musical conversation

PT Weekend: A musical conversation

A few years ago, composer Rick Sowash set a poem to music, creating a song. And then he turned that song into a musical conversation between flute and cello. On today's show, hear the Sylvan Trio perform the result: Seasonal Breezes by Rick Sowash.

Jiji

Jiji

Jiji is a guitarist from Seoul, South Korea. When she was nine, she performed for a well-known guitarist...who was harshly critical of her playing. So, she hatched an 18-year "revenge" plan - to become a professional guitarist. Jiji plays Asturias by Isaac Albeniz on today's show, from a recent concert at the Honest Brook Music Festival in Delhi, New York.