Performance Today®

That first four notes of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 are so famous, the music becomes easy to ignore. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll pay attention to the rest of this symphony in its struggle, beauty and ultimately triumphant, golden sunshine moment of an ending.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.