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

Ehnes plays Prokofiev

Ehnes plays Prokofiev

Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 begins with this angular calm; then comes the beautiful pointillism of the second movement. And it finishes with a dynamic, energetic finale. On Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear James Ehnes play this piece in concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City

The Young People's Chorus of New York City

On this weekend's Performance Today, the Young People's Chorus of New York City will join Fred in the PT studio. We'll hear about their remarkable history and mission, and we'll experience their great sound as they sing music by Stephen Foster and Robert Schumann.

Musical memoirs

Musical memoirs

Czech composer Bedrich Smetana wrote his autobiography in the form of a string quartet. And recently, composer Gabriela Lena Frank took a look at her own Peruvian heritage in a set of dance pieces. On Friday's Performance Today, we'll hear these two musical memoirs - compositions that explore personal identity.

Alisa Weilerstein

Alisa Weilerstein

On Thursday's Performance Today, cellist Alisa Weilerstein joins the Aspen Chamber Symphony in concert to play a cello concerto by Joseph Haydn. Plus, we'll head to Seattle to hear guitarist Ana Vidovic give a moving performance of solo guitar music from Paraguay.

The Young People's Chorus of New York City

The Young People's Chorus of New York City

On Wednesday's Performance Today, the Young People's Chorus of New York City will join Fred in the PT studio. We'll hear about their remarkable history and mission, and we'll experience their great sound as they sing music by Stephen Foster and Robert Schumann.

In studio with the Young People's Chorus of New York City
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Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes

Leif Ove Andsnes has made a name for himself by mixing crystal clean technique with raw power at the piano. On Tuesday's Performance Today, we'll hear the Norwegian pianist play four waltzes by Frederic Chopin in concert at Carnegie Hall.

The sounds of Buenos Aires

The sounds of Buenos Aires

It's great to see pictures of the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina; the colorful, corrugated buildings of La Boca neighborhood, the colonial filigree of the San Telmo area. But what does it sound like? On Monday's Performance Today, the Canadian Guitar Quartet will give us a musical tour of this fascinating city.

YourClassical

Fazil Say

Pianist Fazil Say played with the French National Orchestra in Paris this season. On this weekend's Performance Today, we'll hear two highlights from Paris: a crowd-pleasing piano concerto by Camille Saint-Saens, and a stunning encore composed - and played - by Fazil Say.

YourClassical Radio
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