Performance Today®

Iva Bittova is a Czech violinist, singer, and composer. Her work these days is mostly focused on playing violin and singing, but she is still strongly influenced by her background in acting and dance. Learn more about Iva Bittova and hear a performance of her composition "Divna Slecinka," on Wednesday's Performance Today.

Johannes Brahms told Anton Bruckner that he just didn't understand his symphonies... and Bruckner replied: "I have the exact same problem with yours." On Tuesday's Performance Today, we'll hear the New York Philharmonic play music by the often misunderstood Bruckner - the gorgeous slow movement from his Symphony No. 8.

Aaron Copland was from Brooklyn. He was a city slicker who captured and, to a certain degree, created what we think of as the sound of the old American west. On Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear a suite from his cowboy ballet, "Billy the Kid."

The Cleveland Orchestra is known as one of the best orchestras in the country, and they've consistently held that ranking over the course of several generations. Join us for a special tribute to an orchestra now celebrating their 100th year: the Cleveland Orchestra.

On Friday's Performance Today, the JoAnn Falletta leads the Buffalo Philharmonic through a pulsing fanfare, music inspired by a thrilling (and terrifying) ride in a Lamborghini. Buckle your seat-belt for a "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" by composer John Adams.

It's one of the first exercises you learn to play on an instrument, one of the basic ways to build technique... and, it's awfully tempting to skip while practicing. On Thursday's Performance Today, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky shares his most valuable practice tip, and takes the stage with pianist Gloria Chien at a concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Fred Child talks with Andrea Clearfield, Music From Angel Fire’s composer in residence on Performance Today.

Pianist Alex Beyer told us about trying to make the piano sound like an orchestra... trumpets, in particular. On Wednesday's Performance Today, we'll hear Alex Beyer play Maurice Ravel's evocative composition "La Valse."

Fanny Mendelssohn wrote more than 500 pieces of music, and she also was a conductor. One musician recalled, "A gesture of her little finger ran like an electric shock through our souls." More about the multi-talented Fanny Mendelssohn, on Tuesday's Performance Today.