Performance Today®

with host Valerie Kahler

American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

All Episodes

Houston's Apollo Chamber Players

Houston's Apollo Chamber Players

On Saturday's Performance today, we speak with the Matthew Detrick, Artistic Director of the Houston-based Apollo Chamber Players, about the resilience of Houston's artistic scene in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Then hear the Apollo Chamber Players perform music by Darius Milhaud, from a concert recorded in Houston earlier this year.

Houston's Apollo Chamber Players

Houston's Apollo Chamber Players

On Friday's Performance today, we speak with the Matthew Detrick, Artistic Director of the Houston-based Apollo Chamber Players, about the resilience of Houston's artistic scene in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Then hear the Apollo Chamber Players perform music by Darius Milhaud, from a concert recorded in Houston earlier this year.

The Houston Symphony

The Houston Symphony

Every orchestra is part of a community, so, how does an orchestra respond when a natural disaster affects everyone and everything around them? On Thursday's Performance Today, join us for updates and music from the Houston Symphony, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Rossini's 'terrible' sonatas

Rossini's 'terrible' sonatas

In his later years, Giaochino Rossini scribbled notes on his old manuscripts. On one piece, he wrote, "Six terrible sonatas composed by me at a most youthful age..." On Wednesday's Performance Today, hear one of Rossini's "terrible" sonatas, which ISN'T terrible... composed when he was just 12 years old.

Love and loss

Love and loss

Czech composer Bedrich Smetana married his childhood sweetheart; they had four beautiful daughters together... but over the course of two years, three daughters and Smetana's wife all died from illness. On Tuesday's Performance Today, hear dramatic music inspired by Smetana's tragic loss.

The ANCIA Saxophone Quartet

The ANCIA Saxophone Quartet

The ANCIA Saxophone Quartet is dedicated to the creation and performance of new works for saxophone quartet. On Monday's Performance Today, tune in to hear ANCIA perform from "Quatuor de Saxophone" by French composer Ida Gotkovsky.

Valerie Coleman's inspiration

Valerie Coleman's inspiration

On Saturday's Performance Today, we celebrate female composers, musicians and conductors. Hear a brand new composition by Valerie Coleman named "Portraits of Josephine"... inspired by the life and times of one of the most famous entertainers of the 20th Century: Josephine Baker.

Portraits of Josephine

Portraits of Josephine

On Friday's Performance Today, we celebrate female composers, musicians and conductors. Hear a brand new composition by Valerie Coleman named "Portraits of Josephine"... inspired by the life and times of one of the most famous entertainers of the 20th Century: Josephine Baker.

Andre Watts on musical technique

Andre Watts on musical technique

Musical technique is a means by which personal interpretations can be heard. According to pianist Andre Watts, technique allows you to create at will what you hear in your inner ear. On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear what's going on in Watts's inner ear when he plays Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in concert in Houston.

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