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.
There's a Ukrainian holiday tradition of singing "kolyadkas", folk songs that have been passed down for centuries. Last year, composer Ivan Nebesnyy created a symphony to celebrate this beloved tradition. On Today's show, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine presents selections from the world premiere of "Christmas Symphonies" by Ivan Nebesnyy.
In "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge not only hates Christmas, he hates generosity itself... at least until a three uninvited house-guests demonstrate what greed might cost him. On today's show, join us in a musical retelling of "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens.
Some unforgettable musicians passed away in 2020...guitarist Julian Bream, cellist Lynn Harrell, soprano Mirella Freni - just to name a few. On today's show, join us for a special hour to honor and remember some of those we've lost over this past year.
We're in the middle of the shortest days and longest nights of the year. It feels to us like a good moment for a quiet break. For today's show, we invite you to pause, reflect, and join us for some musical contemplation.
One measure of the lasting influence of a piece of music is how many other musicians have given it their own twist. On today's show, join us for some of the fun, creative takes that have been inspired by The Nutcracker by Peter Tchaikovsky.
We're in the middle of the shortest days and longest nights of the year. It feels to us like a good moment for a quiet break. For today's show, we invite you to pause, reflect, and join us for some musical contemplation.
Ludwig van Beethoven was born 250 years ago, and his musical legacy continues to extend into countless works by other composers. On today's show, we celebrate Beethoven's legacy with music from living composers, and Beethoven himself.
Ferde Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite doesn't seem like music for Christmas, at least not on it's own, but then it was used in a crucial part of the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story." On this episode of Performance Today, hear music from a wide range of classic movies about Christmas.
In 1918, Sergei Prokofiev was inspired by a collection of tunes that were often played at Jewish weddings and dances. Prokofiev improvised on the klezmer melodies, borrowed a gorgeous wedding tune, and created an expressive work of music. On today's show, hear the Overture on Hebrew Themes by Sergei Prokofiev, from a concert in Pittsburgh.
