Steve Reich is one of the most influential and acclaimed composers alive. In the 1960's, Reich was among a group of composers that pioneered what is known as minimal music. On Friday's Performance Today, cellist Rose Bellini performs "Cello Counterpoint", a 2003 composition by Reich. Bellini performs with 7 other parts, pre-recorded and played by cellist Maya Beiser. It's our weekly tribute to 21st century music.
Six musical friends in New York have a part-time project called yMusic. Flute, trumpet, clarinet, and three strings...a one-of-a-kind ensemble that combines world class talent with an interest in "flourishing in the overlap between pop and classical worlds." On Thursday's Performance Today, hear yMusic perform "Everness" by Mark Dancigers, with special thanks from our friends at Classical KING-FM in Seattle.
The first symphony Johannes Brahms wrote took him nearly 20 years to complete. By contrast, Brahms wrote his second symphony in just a few weeks. On Wednesday's Performance today, hear the Sydney Symphony Orchestra play Symphony No. 2, by Johannes Brahms, in a performance from the famous and picturesque Sydney Opera House, in Sydney, Australia.
Alex Beyer, 22, is working on a unique and challenging combination of academic degrees. He studies mathematics at Harvard AND is working on a Master's degree in piano at the New England Conservatory. To Alex, math and music are artistically intertwined. Join us for day 2 of our current PT Young Artist in Residence, pianist Alex Beyer, on Tuesday's Performance Today.
Jan Dussek, a Czech pianist and composer, was a contemporary of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. He wrote more than a dozen concertos for piano and orchestra, though he's not nearly as well remembered as his contemporaries. On Monday's Performance Today, learn more about Jan Dussek, and hear pianist Andreas Staier play Dussek's Piano Concerto in G Minor in a performance from Warsaw, Poland.
Listen to in-studio interviews with host Fred Child and exclusive musical performances by pianist Alex Beyer.
Tempesta di Mare - the Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra - is celebrating the 15th anniversary of their Philadelphia Concert Series. On Saturday's Performance Today, join the audience as Tempesta di Mare plays a concerto for two recorders by William Babell. You'll also hear this week's Piano Puzzler with Bruce Adolphe.
Trolls, goblins, and gnomes - we'll join them all in the Hall of the Mountain King. On Friday's Performance Today, we'll hear Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite; plus, pianist Joyce Yang plays Grieg's Piano Concerto in concert at the Aspen Festival.
Christoph von Dohnanyi is a rarity among conductors. Not only is he respected by the orchestras that he works with, he is loved and greatly admired by them as well. On Thursday's Performance Today, Christoph von Dohnanyi leads the New York Philharmonic in Symphony No. 9, the 'New World Symphony', by Antonin Dvorak.
Share your question or comment about Performance Today. Individual questions and themes may be answered or incorporated into future episodes or digital updates.
