American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.
In 1933, Alan Hovhaness read Dante's Divine Comedy, including the line: "O human race, born to fly upward..." Those words sparked a lifetime of musical ideas, inspired by the idea of space travel. On today's show, hear "Star Dawn" by Alan Hovhaness, performed by the United States Marine Band.
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.
Mozart wrote a concerto for piano and small orchestra, but what if you only have a REALLY small orchestra...like, five people? On today's show, hear pianist Pedja Muzijevic and friends, in concert, playing a miniature version of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 12.
Gustav Mahler was keenly aware of his own mortality when he wrote his ninth symphony. It's music about life and death, about human frailty, and about the wonder and awe of eternity. On today's show, hear Mahler's Symphony No. 9, from a concert at the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Kelly Hall-Tompkins trained as a classical violinist. For two decades, her career focused on classical music. Then she spent a year on Broadway as the fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof. The experience re-energized her, and changed her life. Kelly Hall-Tompkins joins us, on the this episode of Performance Today.
Composer Louis Spohr came up with the idea of a double quartet; not really an octet, but two string quartets, side by side, having a musical conversation. On today's episode, hear Louis Spohr's Double String Quartet No. 1, from a concert at the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival.
Ever played that game using the letters of musical notes to spell words? Composer Belinda Reynolds used that idea when she wrote a piece for piano and two marimbas. On today's show, it's a musical spelling game: "Play" by Belinda Reynolds.
Composer Joan Tower wrote half a dozen fanfares celebrating women she admires. Risk takers and adventurers. On today's show, hear the fanfare in honor of composer Tania Leon: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 6, by Joan Tower. Guest-hosted by Elena See.
The movie "The Red Violin" follows one particular violin for centuries. It passes from one owner to another, leaving a rather bloody trail behind. John Corigliano wrote the lush and haunting music for the film. On today's show, hear violinist Bella Hristova play highlights from the Corigliano's score at the Music@Menlo Chamber Music Festival.
