Performance Today®

How do young pianists prepare for one of the most prestigious and most grueling music competitions in the world? Find out in a new podcast, sponsored by Performance Today.

Almost 40 years ago, James Schlefer first heard the sound of the shakuhachi, the Japanese wood flute. Today, he's among the few Westerners to be a certified Grand Master on the instrument. He's a composer, as well. On Wednesday's Performance Today, hear James Nyoraku Schlefer play the shakuhachi in a performance of his composition "Concertante".

Ten years ago, we featured an 11 year-old pianist on our show. George Li is now 21, a student at Harvard, and has a busy schedule of concerts around the world. On Tuesday's Performance Today, he gives a thrilling performance of the Piano Concerto No. 2, by Camille Saint-Saens, in a highlight from the 2016 Verbier Festival.

Pianist Yuja Wang has had a major-label recording contract for 8 years, since she was 22 years old. She is known for playing virtuosic pieces by the likes of Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Liszt... and yet, she still feels a bit intimidated about playing music by Mozart. On Monday's Performance Today, hear Yuja Wang perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Lionel Bringuier.

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. Pianist Alex Beyer - PT Young Artist in Residence - performs "La Valse" by Maurice Ravel, on this weekend's Performance Today.

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.