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.
Omar Thomas says that, in all his years playing in concert bands, he never got to play music celebrating African American traditions. So as a composer, he wrote the piece he wished he could have played. On today's show, hear a vibrant work called Come Sunday, by Omar Thomas, from a concert presented by the Dallas Winds.
There's a remarkable photo from the 1889 World Expo in Paris: Four young Javanese dancers, and one young woman is staring rather sternly into the camera. Her name is Soekia. On today's show, hear the Dolce Suono Ensemble perform the world premiere of Soekia's Dance by Thomas Whitman.
On today's show, hear the Piano Concerto No. 5 by French composer Camille Saint-Saens... and find out why it has become known as the Egyptian Concerto.
When Stephen Hough wrote his Piano Sonata No. 4, he called it "Vida Breve" (Short Life), expressing the melancholy of this brief lifetime we have. On today's show, Stephen Hough plays "Short Life", from a concert at the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concerto de Aranjuez" may be the most popular guitar concerto of all time. On today's show, hear guitarist Chaconne Klaverenga play Rodrigo's concerto with the Boulder Chamber Orchestra. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler.
Violinist Daniel Hope is very much at home on stages around the world. When the pandemic closed venues, he brought his concerts, literally, home. On today's show, hear about Daniel Hope's award-winning concert series from his home in Berlin.
Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concerto de Aranjuez" may be the most popular guitar concerto of all time. Even if you don't think you know it, there's a good chance you've at least heard some of it. On today's show, hear guitarist Chaconne Klaverenga play Rodrigo's concerto with the Boulder Chamber Orchestra.
A sheet music store in New York City used to separate music with dividers, one of which was labeled "Women Composers." Composer Missy Mazzoli simply removed that divider. She says that if she writes an opera, she wants it to be shelved with the operas, not in the "Ladies' bin." On today's show, the Aeolus Quartet performs the 'Quartet for Queen Mab' by Missy Mazzoli.
On today's show, learn more about Lady Jess, a freelance violinist living in New York City. We'll hear selections from one of Lady Jess's recent projects - a recording of The Prison, by Ethel Smyth.
