Performance Today®

In 2017, as debates about immigration escalated, composer Valerie Coleman added her voice by writing a piece for wind quartet. She wrote an anthem of support, declaring a person's right live the American Dream. On today's episode, we'll hear "A Right to Be" by Valerie Coleman.

Composer Maurice Greene and George Frederic Handel had a relatively pleasant relationship... until Greene got a job that Handel had wanted. Music by Maurice Greene, frenemy of George Frederic Handel, on this episode of Performance Today.

On September 12, 1962, President John F Kennedy gave a speech encouraging the nation to pursue projects and dreams "not because they are easy, but because they are hard." Composer Michael Gandolfi wrote a new work with that idea in mind. Join us for music that celebrates the courage to fight for change, on this episode of Performance Today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.