Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Bruckner's magnificent finale

Bruckner's magnificent finale

Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 is a massive piece—more than 80 minutes from beginning to end. Conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin says the symphony is akin to entering a vast canyon. As you listen to Bruckner, he says, "Accept that space and time are different. It is not about the micro event but the grand line. Just breathe in, breathe out, and feel the connection of that music to the harmony of the universe." Join us to hear conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin lead the finale to Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland.

Stewart Goodyear: Panorama

Stewart Goodyear: Panorama

Trinidad is the home of the steel drum—or the steel pan as it's called locally. Every year at Carnival, Trinidad hosts Panorama, a showcase for the best steel pan ensembles. Composer and pianist Stewart Goodyear plays his take on Panorama on this episode of Performance Today.

PT Weekend: The Sound of Light

PT Weekend: The Sound of Light

For composer Jennifer Higdon, a commission isn't just about who pays for the piece; she views commissioning music as a way to empower people to share their voices and celebrate their communities. We'll learn more and hear the Merian Ensemble play Higdon's "The Sound of Light" on today's show.

Elfrida Andrée

Elfrida Andrée

Swedish composer and organist Elfrida Andrée was determined to do it all. She advocated for legal changes so women could work as organists and telegraph operators, and she wanted people to know that women could compose significant works. We'll hear Elfrida Andrée's Symphony No. 2 on this episode of Performance Today.

Avery Gagliano

Avery Gagliano

We're pleased to introduce one of our 2024 PT Young Artists in Residence: pianist Avery Gagliano. On today's show, Avery joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our Saint Paul studio. 

Jennifer Higdon: The Sound of Light

Jennifer Higdon: The Sound of Light

For composer Jennifer Higdon, a commission isn't just about who pays for the piece; she views commissioning music as a way to empower people to share their voices and celebrate their communities. We'll learn more and hear the Merian Ensemble play Higdon's "The Sound of Light" on today's show.

James Ehnes and the Grand Teton Music Festival

James Ehnes and the Grand Teton Music Festival

Violinist James Ehnes absolutely loves playing at the Grand Teton Music Festival. He says, "The physical beauty is beyond description, and the quality of music-making defies rational explanation." On today's show, we'll take you to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to hear Ehnes play Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1. 

Ani and Marta Aznavoorian

Ani and Marta Aznavoorian

The Aznavoorian sisters gave their first concert at a local church when cellist Ani was four and pianist Marta was eight. Ani and Marta have each grown up to have successful careers, and now, they're sharing a stage again. Join us to hear sisters Ani and Marta Aznavoorian play at a concert presented by the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida.

PT Weekend: Certified organic

PT Weekend: Certified organic

In 2022, the Apollo Chamber Players commissioned a work by composer Wang Jie. Wang Jie, also trained as an organist, wrote the piece for the unusual combination of pipe organ and string quartet. On today's show, we'll hear the Apollo Chamber Players and organist Daryl Robinson play the world premiere of The Night When You See Again by Wang Jie.

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