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

Pianist Gabriela Montero

Pianist Gabriela Montero

Gabriela Montero has been playing the Piano Concerto by Edvard Grieg since she was 11 (c. 1981). Her original copy of the music, the one she has used for over 30 years, is decorated with the Hello Kitty stickers of an 11 year-old girl. The Venezuelan pianist is now 46, and she just recently bought a new copy of the music. On Monday's Performance Today, the ever-youthful Gabriela Montero performs Grieg's Piano Concerto with the Houston Symphony, Andres Orozco-Estrada conducting.

On the farm with Molly Yeh

On the farm with Molly Yeh

Percussionist and food writer Molly Yeh co-hosts a special episode of Performance Today.

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Ray Ushikubo

Ray Ushikubo

Fifteen-year-old Ray Ushikubo has been playing both the piano and violin for nearly 10 years. Since his first solo orchestral debut at the age of 10, he has performed with world-renowned artists and orchestras, including pianist Lang Lang, and the Los Angeleles Chamber Orchestra. Music and conversation with Ray Ushikubo, our PT Young Artist in Residence, on this weekend's Performance Today.

Tales of Hemingway

Tales of Hemingway

"Tales of Hemingway" by Michael Daugherty won THREE Grammys this year. It's a dramatic musical tour through the life and literature of Ernest Hemingway, ending with a bullfight scene from "The Sun Also Rises." On Friday's Performance Today, travel back into Hemingway's Lost Generation as the Nashville Symphony plays "Tales of Hemingway" by Michael Daugherty.

Tembembe Ensamble Continuo

Tembembe Ensamble Continuo

Mexican quintet Tembembe Ensamble Continuo thrives in the territory where classical and folk overlap. Their music is a rich blend of Spanish classical and Mexican folk. On Thursday's Performance Today, join us for music and conversation with Tembembe Ensamble Continuo.

Born in the 21st century

Born in the 21st century

Fifteen-year-old Ray Ushikubo has been playing both the piano and violin for nearly 10 years. Since his first solo orchestral debut at the age of 10, he has performed with world-renowned artists and orchestras, including pianist Lang Lang, and the Los Angeleles Chamber Orchestra. We'll introduce Ray Ushikubo, our PT Young Artist in Residence, on Wednesday's Performance Today.

Young Artist in Residence: Ray Ushikubo
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JoAnn Falletta

JoAnn Falletta

According to conductor JoAnn Falletta, many orchestras only explore the tip of the musical iceberg, leaving a vast amount of repertoire quietly boxed away. On Tuesday's Performance Today, Falletta joins Fred in the studio to co-host a special hour of PT, and to discuss her thoughts on musical repertoire, conducting, and more.

Garrick Ohlsson

Garrick Ohlsson

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson feels that Chopin's music is more about visceral feeling than intellectual understanding, though Chopin's intellect was penetrating and brilliant. On Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear Ohlsson perform a Chopin Ballade from a concert at The Cliburn, in Fort Worth, TX.

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