Performance Today®

At the age of 35, English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams went to Paris to study with Maurice Ravel (who was younger than Vaughan Williams). They worked together intensely for several months, after which Ravel gave him a great compliment. He said Vaughan Williams was his only student who didn't try to write exactly like Ravel himself. On today's show, we'll take you to the most recent Spoleto Festival USA to hear the Piano Quintet by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Plus, we’ll have the story of a musical hoax!

Nominations now are closed for the 2024 Classical Woman of the Year, awarded by ‘Performance Today.’ We’ll announce the winner Friday, March 29.

Last year, the legendary film composer John Williams hinted that he might retire. Reasonable thought, given that he's now 92 years old, but now he's walking that back, and says he's very much still in business. On today's show, we'll hear a Trumpet Concerto by John Williams, from a concert at the Grand Teton Music Festival.

Pianist Inon Barnatan keeps busy as a musician, playing on the most prestigious stages around the world. He's also the Music Director of Summerfest La Jolla in California. On today's show, we'll hear a stunning performance at a stunning location—Inon Barnatan, violinist Augustin Hadelich, and cellist Efe Baltacigil play the Piano Trio by Maurice Ravel at Summerfest La Jolla.

Beethoven loved going for long walks in the countryside around Vienna. He once told a friend that the birds they saw on their hikes helped him write his Symphony No. 6. Tune in today—we'll get the story and hear Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony No. 6 from a concert performance featuring conductor Marin Alsop and the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic.

Christian Zacharias began his stellar career as a solo pianist. He then became a conductor, leading orchestras around the world. But Zacharias also wants to do the occasional tour as a solo pianist again. On today's show, we'll hear how Christian Zacharias balances his life as a conductor and soloist, and we'll hear him play Haydn's Piano Sonata No. 62 at a concert at Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia.

‘Performance Today’ host Fred Child reflects on his time at the 2023 summer season at Tippet Rise Art Center in beautiful Fishtail, Montana.

Pianist Inon Barnatan keeps busy as a musician, playing on the most prestigious stages around the world. He's also the Music Director of Summerfest La Jolla in California. On today's show, we'll hear a stunning performance at a stunning location—Inon Barnatan, violinist Augustin Hadelich, and cellist Efe Baltacigil play the Piano Trio by Maurice Ravel at Summerfest La Jolla.

Discover the poignant journey of Johann Friedrich Fasch's music, from the ashes of Dresden's firebombing to a modern-day revival by Tempesta di Mare – the Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra. Tune in today for an inspiring tale of reconstruction and the enduring power of music.