Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Song of the Scarlet Tanager

Song of the Scarlet Tanager

Early one day, Antonin Dvorak was walking alongside a river. In the golden light of morning, he became transfixed by the song of a red bird with black wings; he hurried home to include its song in his new quartet. On Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear that very piece: Dvorak's American Quartet.

Inspired by starlings

Inspired by starlings

Starlings are little birds who come together in groups of thousands, dancing and darting in what appear to be artfully choreographed movements. On this weekend's Performance Today, we'll hear music inspired by starlings; Derek Bermel's Murmurations.

Derek Bermel's Murmurations

Derek Bermel's Murmurations

Starlings are little birds who come together in groups of thousands, dancing and darting in what appear to be artfully choreographed movements. On Friday's Performance Today, we'll hear music inspired by starlings; Derek Bermel's Murmurations.

Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes is famous for his clear, crystalline technique and raw piano power. On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear the Norwegian pianist in concert in Copenhagen, teaming up with the Danish National Symphony to play Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto.

Ocean, coffee, and Claude Debussy

Ocean, coffee, and Claude Debussy

Outside of Benaroya Hall in Seattle, you can smell the salt of the ocean. But when you open the door and walk inside, the aroma of coffee takes over. Because, of course, there's a coffee shop in the lobby! On Wednesday's Performance Today, we'll have the ocean, coffee, and Claude Debussy's String Quartet from a concert in Seattle, Washington.

Schubert's Symphony No. 6

Schubert's Symphony No. 6

Franz Schubert turned 21 as he was writing his Symphony No. 6. On Tuesday's Performance Today, we'll go to Walt Disney Hall to hear Gustavo Dudamel conduct the L.A. Philharmonic young Schubert's Symphony No. 6.

Sol Gabetta

Sol Gabetta

Sol Gabetta plays cello with intelligence, emotion, and a lively wit. She lives in Switzerland, and her career is mainly in Europe. But on Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear from a rare concert Sol Gabetta gave here in the states.

Richard Danielpour's 'From the Mountaintop'

Richard Danielpour's 'From the Mountaintop'

Inspired by the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Richard Danielpour composed a new piece, which he titled "From The Mountaintop." On this weekend's Performance Today, we'll hear it from a concert at the Gateways Festival; a gathering with a focus on African American musicians.

Peter Schickele's Spring Forward

Peter Schickele's Spring Forward

It may be the wrong time of year, but Peter Schickele's Spring Forward is such a graceful piece that we couldn't wait to share it with you. Yes indeed, that Peter Schickele - the man who created the wackiness of PDQ Bach is also a serious composer. We'll hear his new piece, Spring Forward, on Friday's Performance Today.