Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Scenes from childhood

Scenes from childhood

A few years ago, American composer Daniel Temkin found an old memory box from his childhood that held a picture of him with his two younger siblings in his lap. On this episode of Performance Today, hear music inspired by that photo performed by siblings Ani and Ida Kavafian.

Clarice Assad: Without Borders

Clarice Assad: Without Borders

Composer Clarice Assad was born and raised in Brazil, but has spent the last few decades in the United States. When she's asked where home is, she says "The Americas." On this episode of Performance Today, hear Assad's "Without Borders," performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta.

Borodin's chemistry

Borodin's chemistry

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.

Escapades for Saxophone

Escapades for Saxophone

Frank Abagnale's life as a master forger and impostor was the true story behind the 2002 movie, Catch Me If You Can. On today's show, hear Branford Marsalis and the Jacksonville Symphony play a piece from the movie's score: Escapades, by John Williams.

Gold Medal Performances

Gold Medal Performances

It's one of the most prestigious musical competitions on the planet, and it only comes around once every four years. On today's show, hear a selection of Gold Medal performances from the 2019 Tchaikovsky International Competition in Russia.

For the Love of the Mountains

For the Love of the Mountains

Conductor Donald Runnicles grew up in Scotland where he developed a love for the rugged highlands. These days, he spends his summers in the mountains of the American West. On today's show, Runnicles conducts the world premiere of a piece written for him by Aaron Jay Kernis: "For the Love of the Mountains."

Mallory McHenry

Mallory McHenry

Harpist Mallory McHenry is one of our most recent PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's show, Mallory joins Fred Child for music and conversation at the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser studio in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Rhapsody on an anthem

Rhapsody on an anthem

Composer Jessie Montgomery says she's made an attempt to answer the question: "What does an anthem for the 21st century sound like in today's multi-cultural environment?" On today's show, hear Montgomery's answer, a rhapsody on the Star Spangled Banner.

For the Love of the Mountains

For the Love of the Mountains

Conductor Donald Runnicles grew up in Scotland where he developed a love for the rugged highlands. These days, he spends his summers in the mountains of the American West. On today's show, Runnicles conducts the world premiere of a piece written for him by Aaron Jay Kernis: "For the Love of the Mountains."