Performance Today®

Conductor Simon Rattle has known The Nutcracker since he was a kid, and with each passing year he becomes more fascinated with the music. On today's PT, Simon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in The Nutcracker "B-sides;" the sometimes overlooked, but still heart-tugging and toe-tapping dances from the rest of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet.

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.

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. In today's show, hear guitarist Chaconne Klaverenga play Rodrigo's concerto with the Boulder Chamber Orchestra.

America sings during the winter holiday season more than any other time of year. On today's show, enjoy highlights from the legendary St. Olaf Christmas Festival in Minnesota, and from concert halls and churches across the country. Feel free to sing along!

Pianist Aleksandra Kasman is Performance Today's current Young Artist in Residence. Kasman recently joined Fred Child for conversation and music at our studio in Saint Paul. You can hear it all here!

On today's show, we'll introduce you to our new PT Young Artist in Residence, pianist Aleksandra "Sasha" Kasman. Aleksandra joins Fred Child for music and conversation at Performance Today's studio in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In 1922, Maurice Ravel premiered a piece for violin and cello. It is so dense and challenging that a musicologist of the time suggested that Ravel rearrange it for orchestra, spreading the notes out across many instruments rather than two. On today's show, hear Marta Krechkovsky and Joel Noyes perform Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello, from a concert at the Grand Teton Music Festival.

Not many pieces can match the romantic drama and sheer virtuosity of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. On this episode of Performance Today, hear a thrilling concert performance by pianist Sergio Tiempo and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

American pianist Jonathan Biss plays a wide range of music, but something about Beethoven always pulls him back in. On today's show, Jonathan Biss pours his own passion into Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, with the Houston Symphony.