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Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Gil Shaham plays Prokofiev

Gil Shaham plays Prokofiev

Gil Shaham first played Prokofiev's second violin concerto when he was thirteen. 35 years later, he's still playing it. He says "it's a miracle of a piece." On this episode of Performance Today, we take you to a concert in Houston to hear Gil Shaham and the Houston Symphony play Prokofiev's "miracle." Elena See guest-hosts.

Osvaldo Golijov: Azul

Osvaldo Golijov: Azul

Of all the 21st century compositions we've played on PT, one piece has gotten the most rapturous response. It's music inspired by the beauty of the night sky... but also by the pain and violence of war. "Azul" by Osvaldo Golijov, featuring Yo-Yo Ma, on this episode of Performance Today.

Tim Fain

Tim Fain

In 2011, Philip Glass composed a seven movement piece specifically for violinist Tim Fain. Fain stopped by the PT studios and played some of it just for us. On this episode of Performance Today, hear Tim Fain perform the opening movement of Partita for Solo Violin by Philip Glass.

Gil Shaham plays Prokofiev

Gil Shaham plays Prokofiev

Gil Shaham first played Prokofiev's second violin concerto when he was thirteen. 35 years later, he's still playing it. He says "it's a miracle of a piece." On this episode of Performance Today, we take you to a concert in Houston to hear Gil Shaham and the Houston Symphony play Prokofiev's "miracle." Elena See guest-hosts.

Copland: El Salon Mexico

Copland: El Salon Mexico

In 1932, Aaron Copland went to an all-night dance hall in Mexico City. He saw a sign that read: "Please don't throw lighted cigarette butts on the floor so the ladies don't burn their feet." On today's show, hear music inspired by that stimulating dance-club from a concert at the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Augustin Hadelich

Augustin Hadelich

Violinist Augustin Hadelich is known for his phenomenal technique and soulful interpretations. His colleagues refer to him as a "musician's musician." On today's show, Hadelich performs Barber's Violin Concerto with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Flamingo

Flamingo

The pink plastic flamingo... maybe you had one in the yard of your childhood home or you've seen the plastic birds flocking your neighbor's lawn. Composer Michael Daugherty says those pink plastic lawn ornaments are American icons. On today's show, hear Daugherty's musical ode to flamingos, plastic and feathered, from a concert in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The Firebird

The Firebird

She's an astonishing fire-colored creature, a symbol of hope, and sometimes...an omen of doom. She is the Firebird. On today's PT, we'll hear the Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky, from a concert in Nashville.

Michael Daugherty: Flamingo

Michael Daugherty: Flamingo

The pink plastic flamingo... maybe you had one in the yard of your childhood home or you've seen the plastic birds flocking your neighbor's lawn. Composer Michael Daugherty says those pink plastic lawn ornaments are American icons. On today's show, hear Daugherty's musical ode to flamingos, plastic and feathered, from a concert in Santa Fe, New Mexico.