Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Clara Schumann's Piano Trio

Clara Schumann's Piano Trio

She was famous as a pianist and had a keen talent for composition. On today's show, hear the power and beauty of Clara Schumann's Piano Trio, from a concert in Atlanta. Plus, Bruce Adolphe joins us for this week's Piano Puzzler.

John Adams: Road Movies

John Adams: Road Movies

John Adams says that final movement of "Road Movies" is for four-wheel drives only, and to leave the driving to the musicians. Join us for that musical ride on this episode of Performance Today.

More than an overture

More than an overture

The William Tell overture is iconic, but there are many more great musical moments from Rossini's opera. On today's show, hear a medley of some of those William Tell B-sides, from a concert in Colorado Springs.

The Red Violin

The Red Violin

The movie "The Red Violin" follows one particular violin for centuries. It passes from one owner to another, leaving a rather bloody trail behind. John Corigliano wrote the lush and haunting music for the film. On today's show, hear violinist Bella Hristova play highlights from the Corigliano's score at the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival.

A musical spell

A musical spell

Ever played that game using the letters of musical notes to spell words? Composer Belinda Reynolds used that idea when she wrote a piece for piano and two marimbas. On today's show, it's a musical spelling game: "Play" by Belinda Reynolds.

Katia & Marielle Labeque

Katia & Marielle Labeque

Sisters Katia and Marielle Labeque have been playing as a piano duo for more than 50 years, and their playing and approach is as fresh as ever. On today's show, hear the Labeque sisters perform a new concerto for two pianos by Bryce Dessner.

The Red Violin

The Red Violin

The movie "The Red Violin" follows one particular violin for centuries. It passes from one owner to another, leaving a rather bloody trail behind. John Corigliano wrote the lush and haunting music for the film. On today's show, hear violinist Bella Hristova play highlights from the Corigliano's score at the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival.

Louis Spohr's Double String Quartet

Louis Spohr's Double String Quartet

Composer Louis Spohr came up with the idea of a double quartet; not really an octet, but two string quartets, side by side, having a musical conversation. On today's episode, hear Louis Spohr's Double String Quartet No. 1, from a concert at the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

In the spring of 1968, conductor Paul Freeman ran into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Atlanta airport. Their brief conversation was one he never forgot. On this episode of Performance Today, hear about that life-changing encounter in our musical celebration of Dr. King's life and legacy.

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