Performance Today®

with host Valerie Kahler

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.

All Episodes

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.

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.

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