Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Twin stars

Twin stars

Christina and Michelle Naughton are identical twins. They began taking piano lessons when they were 4 years old. It's safe to say that they took it pretty seriously... they now tour the world as a piano duo. On Tuesday's Performance Today, the Naughton sisters shine in a concert performance of 'Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor' by Francis Poulenc.

Emma Resmini

Emma Resmini

When Emma Resmini was a young girl, she didn't come out and tell her parents that she wanted to play the flute. Instead, she hinted at it by turning anything remotely stick-shaped into a flute... and her parents got the message. On Monday's Performance Today, Emma Resmini performs 'Undine' by Carl Reinecke, at the New York Flute Club.

In celebration of Father's Day

In celebration of Father's Day

Joshua Bell is a world-class violinist, and he's also a father. On Saturday's Performance Today, Joshua and his 10-year-old son Josef join us to celebrate Father's Day. We'll read together from a new children's book inspired by a key moment in the life of Joshua Bell.

The Dance of the Violin

The Dance of the Violin

We're celebrating Father's Day with a little story-time. 'The Dance of the Violin' is a new children's book, a real story taken from violinist Joshua Bell's childhood. On Friday's Performance Today, you'll literally hear the story... 'The Dance of the Violin', read by Joshua, Josef, and Shirley Bell, with Fred Child narrarating.

The LA Phil plays Strauss

The LA Phil plays Strauss

Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, by Richard Strauss, is a musical fairy-tale... a 15-minute orchestral romp that celebrates a crass, anti-establishment prankster. Hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform the piece, as well as other concert highlights from around the world, on Thursday's Performance Today.

Music is Music: Manu Delago and the Hang Drum

Music is Music: Manu Delago and the Hang Drum

Hearing Manu Delago play music, you might think he is using a tabla, steel drums, a harp, bells and more--but all those sounds are actually the work of one instrument: the hang drum. Listen in as Delago brings his hang into our New York studio for a conversation with host, Ria Misra.

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Schubert's Symphony No. 6

Schubert's Symphony No. 6

Franz Schubert celebrated his 21st birthday as he was writing his Symphony No. 6. On Wednesday's Performance Today, join us for a concert from Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, with Gustavo Dudamel conducting the LA Philharmonic in the Symphony No. 6, by the young Franz Schubert.

The Inextinguishable

The Inextinguishable

In 1914, things were going well for Danish composer Carl Nielsen. He was able to limit other commitments and focus his attention on writing music. At that time, events in Europe were taking a dark turn, and he poured his energy into a new piece of music. It's a fervent symphony that expresses Nielsen's belief that, despite horrific darkness, life and light can prevail. On Tuesday's Performance Today, hear a concert performance of Symphony No. 4, "The Inextinguishable", by Carl Nielsen.

The Cliburn Competition reaches a climax

The Cliburn Competition reaches a climax

It's a highly anticipated competition that happens once every four years. Two and a half weeks of musical drama and competition, and on Saturday... the medals were awarded in Fort Worth, Texas. On Monday's Performance Today, we'll meet the Gold Medal winner and hear a gold medal winning performance from the 2017 Cliburn Piano Competition.

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