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.
Picture some eggs nested in a chicken coop. Suddenly, little legs poke through the shells and the eggs stand up and start dancing around. It's the Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks, from a Houston Symphony performance of "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky. Hear this and more from concerts around the world, on Tuesday's Performance Today.
At the age of 20, German composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote down a musical sketch, inspired during a trip to Scotland. The composer was well into his 30's when he finally got down to completing that idea. Hear Mendelssohn's initial sketch and then travel forward to Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony No. 3, performed by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, on Monday's Performance Today.
On Saturday's Performance today, cellist David Garret discusses the teamwork between an orchestra's cellists. You'll hear David and fellow cellists, without an orchestra, playing music written for four cellos, by composer Joseph Jongen.
Composer Arvo Part works in a style that he calls "tintinnabulation". Inspired by the sound of bells, and diving deep into that sound as an analogy for a spiritual quest. Sound abstract? The power and beauty of music is that it evades description by words alone. Listen to "Fratres" by Arvo Part, from a concert at the Grand Teton Music Festival on Friday's Performance Today.
On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear Joshua Bell discuss the art and science of finding a musical partner. Take a front row seat as he performs with one of his favorite collaborators, pianist Sam Haywood, playing a violin sonata by French composer Gabriel Faure.
On Wednesday's Performance Today, join us for a multi-chorus musical feast. The Emerson Quartet plays music by Dvorak and Bach from a concert in the city of Prague. We'll also hear violinist Hilary Hahn playing music by Robert Schumann. Plus, Bruce Adolphe joins us for this week's Piano Puzzler.
There is a special magic in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Be part of the audience at the Grand Teton Music Festival for a set of musical fairy tales by Robert Schumann.
For the past few years, the Grand Teton Music Festival has invited Performance Today to host a night of music. Listen for highlights from our night at the festival, and while you're here, take in some of the breathtaking sights this magical place has to offer.
Join us for our usual wide range of musical highlights. Experience a glorious Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven, from the Grand Teton Music Festival. Then, time travel forward for the world premiere of a Guitar Concerto by Chris Brubeck, son of Dave Brubeck.
