Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Jessie Montgomery

Jessie Montgomery

In New York City, a short walk to the shop down the street is often a journey through sounds from many different cultures. New York native Jessie Montgomery captures that soundscape in a piece called Coincident Dances. We'll hear it performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta, on this episode of Performance Today.

Ace of Bass

Ace of Bass

In an orchestra, the double basses are hard-working and dutiful. Necessary, but rarely drawing attention. On this episode of Performance Today, Robin Kesselman steps into the spotlight with the Houston Symphony in a rare solo spotlight for double bass. Jade Simmons guest-hosts.

Feeling Gravity's Pull

Feeling Gravity's Pull

50 years ago this week, humans achieved something that we'd been dreaming about for millennia. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll share memories, dreams, and music in celebration of Apollo 11's successful mission to the moon and back.

Infinite possibilities

Infinite possibilities

It's one page of music shared among musicians, but Terry Riley's work "In C" contains infinite possibilities... including the ensembles that can play it. On today's show, hear Riley's work performed by the Apollo Chamber Players, along with the gorgeous sound of an instrument called the chitravina. Jade Simmons guest-hosts.

Gravity and strings

Gravity and strings

50 years ago this week, humans achieved something that we'd been dreaming about for millennia. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll share memories, dreams, and music in celebration of Apollo 11's successful mission to the moon and back.

In the Hall of the Mountain King

In the Hall of the Mountain King

Trolls, goblins, and gnomes. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll join them all in the Hall of the Mountain King, when we hear Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite performed at the Artosphere Festival. Then, we'll head to New York to hear two special pieces: one old, one new...but both blue.

Keeping the music in focus

Keeping the music in focus

Scathing reviews are just part of life for musicians, but what about the reviews that go from musical...to personal? On today's show, hear how violinist Jennifer Koh gets beyond a nasty review and focuses on the music.

Anderson & Roe take on Piazzolla

Anderson & Roe take on Piazzolla

The mission of The Anderson and Roe Piano Duo is to make classical music a relevant and powerful force in society On today's episode of Performance Today, hear Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe's fiery take on a tango by Astor Piazzolla.

Borodin's dilemma

Borodin's dilemma

Composer Alexander Borodin toiled away on an opera for 18 years, but he never finished it. Get the story, then hear the overture to Borodin's unfinished opera, on this edition of Performance Today.