As a church organist, the young Charles Ives didn't really want to play the same hymns in the same old way. He played around some edgy harmonies and overlapping tunes, much to the shock of the congregation. The pastor had an opinion too. On today's show, hear about Charles Ives and his creative liberties, and hear the Escher String Quartet perform Ives's Quartet No. 1 'From the Salvation Army' at a concert at Lincoln Center.
The harp has a reputation for sounding light and beautiful, but in the right hands, a harp can express any emotion. On today's episode, hear the powerful, propulsive side of the harp. Harpist Ann Hobson Pilot and the English Chamber Orchestra perform Alberto Ginastera's Harp Concerto.
Composer Jim Stephenson grew up watching his father build model trains. They were detailed, realistic models, and each train car had its own personality. He was inspired by those vintage model trains when he wrote a piece for the ensemble ROCO. On today's episode, hear ROCOmotive, by Jim Stephenson, from a ROCO concert in Houston, Texas.
As a church organist, the young Charles Ives didn't really want to play the same hymns in the same old way. He played around some edgy harmonies and overlapping tunes, much to the shock of the congregation. The pastor had an opinion too. On today's show, hear about Charles Ives and his creative liberties, and hear the Escher String Quartet perform Ives's Quartet No. 1 'From the Salvation Army' at a concert at Lincoln Center.
David Baker was a legendary trombonist until his jaw was injured in a car accident. After that, he learned to play the cello and immersed himself in composing and teaching. David Baker's story, plus we'll hear from his piano trio Roots II, on this episode of Performance Today.
We don't toss the word "virtuoso" around casually, but in some cases, it clearly applies. On today's episode, join us for virtuosic performance by Alexander Gavrylyuk - who, by the way, would like to redefine what we mean by the word 'virtuoso.'
On this weekend's episode, meet violinist Geneva Lewis, our new PT Young Artist in Residence. Geneva joins Fred Child for music and conversation at Performance Today's studio in St. Paul, Minnesota. Plus, this week's Piano Puzzler with Bruce Adolphe!
In the 1940s, Composer John Harbison grew up in a musical family in New Jersey. The Harbisons would gather around the piano and sing together. John Harbison had those memories in mind when he wrote a set of pieces called "Songs America Loves to Sing." On today's show, we'll hear it from a concert in Athens, Georgia.
On today's show, meet our new PT Young Artist in Residence, violinist Geneva Lewis. Geneva joins Fred Child for music and conversation at Performance Today's studio in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Share your question or comment about Performance Today. Individual questions and themes may be answered or incorporated into future episodes or digital updates.
