Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

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From the "Quartet" bin

From the "Quartet" bin

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 this episode of Performance Today, the Aeolus Quartet performs the 'Quartet for Queen Mab' by Missy Mazzoli.

Copland: El Salon Mexico

Copland: El Salon Mexico

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.

Wisdom, moderation, and prudence

Wisdom, moderation, and prudence

Composer Behzad Ranjbaran says of all the instruments in the orchestra, the viola is the voice of wisdom, moderation, and prudence. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll hear violist Roberto Diaz and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra perform the concerto that Ranjbaran wrote for the viola's musical voice of wisdom.

Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand

Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand

In 1930, Maurice Ravel wrote a special concerto for Paul Wittgenstein, a pianist who had lost his right arm in the First World War. On this episode of Performance Today, we'll hear a performance of Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, from a concert in Round Top, Texas.

No Stars, Not Even Clouds

No Stars, Not Even Clouds

Composer Gillian Whitehead was beginning to write a new piece when she got heartbreaking news: a dear friend of hers had cancer...and it quickly took her friend's life. On today's show, music dedicated to a dear friend: "No Stars, Not Even Clouds" by Gillian Whitehead.

Flamingos

Flamingos

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.

A turning point for Ravel

A turning point for Ravel

In 1922, Maurice Ravel premiered a duo, his Sonata for Violin and Cello, and it marked a turning point in his development as a composer. Ravel described the sonata as "music stripped to the bone" yet it is surprisingly complex. On today's show, hear Amy Schwartz Moretti and Yegor Dyachov perform Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello, from a concert in Seattle.

Clara Schumann's 200th birthday

Clara Schumann's 200th birthday

Despite her husband's name-recognition, Clara Schumann was the breadwinner of the household. She was a formidable pianist and a prolific composer. On today's show, we're throwing Clara a much deserved birthday party in celebration of Clara Schumann's 200th birthday!

Ravel's economical complexity

Ravel's economical complexity

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 Amy Schwartz Moretti and Yegor Dyachov perform Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello, from a concert in Seattle.

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