Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Natalie Joachim

Natalie Joachim

Nathalie Joachim is at the vanguard of a new approach to the classical tradition. She combines a wide range of musical styles and sounds... classical, soul, hip-hop... really, anything goes. On Thursday's Performance Today, join us for music and conversation with flutist and composer Nathalie Joachim.

Beethoven: a hint of things to come

Beethoven: a hint of things to come

In his mid-20s, Ludwig van Beethoven was aspiring to be a composer, but he was known mostly as a pianist... he was still searching for his own musical voice. On Wednesday's Performance Today, hear wonderfully accomplished music by the young composer, before he became the Beethoven we know today.

Sibelius: Symphony No. 7

Sibelius: Symphony No. 7

The final symphony by Jean Sibelius unfolds in a single riveting movement, an unbroken, weightless flow of music. It's the Symphony No. 7 by Sibelius, in concert, on Tuesday's Performance Today.

Kurt Weill and the American Princess

Kurt Weill and the American Princess

Kurt Weill is most commonly known for his contributions to musical theater, but, with the patronage of the "American Princess," he wrote some classical music as well. On Monday's Performance Today, find out more about Weill's patron and hear his Symphony No. 2, from a concert in Houston.

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette was the first woman to review classical music for the New York Times on a regular basis, and is now the classical music critic for the Washington Post. On this weekend's Performance Today, special guest Anne Midgette joins us for music and conversation about the role women have played in classical music.

Nina Lee and the Brentano Quartet

Nina Lee and the Brentano Quartet

When Nina Lee was a young girl, a group of female musicians came to her school. They played a popular TV jingle... and Lee fell in love with the sound of the cello. Now, she's a member of the Brentano Quartet. More about Nina Lee's story, and a concert performance by the Brentano Quartet, on Friday's Performance Today.

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette

Anne Midgette was the first woman to review classical music for the New York Times on a regular basis, and is now the classical music critic for the Washington Post. On Thursday's Performance Today, special guest Anne Midgette joins us for music and conversation about the role women have played in classical music.

Anne Midgette on women in music

Anne Midgette on women in music

Anne Midgette is the classical music critic for the Washington Post, reviewing concerts and the role that music plays in our culture.

50:19
A conversation with Mei-Ann Chen (with transcript)

A conversation with Mei-Ann Chen (with transcript)

Mei-Ann Chen is one of the very few female conductors leading an American orchestra. She has helped to establish the Chicago Sinfonietta as the the nation's most diverse orchestra. Performance Today host Fred Child sat down with Mei-Ann Chen to learn how this once-shy violinist became a cutting-edge leader.

30:11