Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

John Luther Adams wins 2014 Pulitzer Prize
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Charlie Albright

Charlie Albright

On Tuesday's Performance Today we'll catch up with a former PT Young Artist, pianist Charlie Albright. Plus we'll speak with composer John Luther Adams, who just won this year's Pulitzer Prize for music.

Music of the heavens

Music of the heavens

When American composer Aaron Jay Kernis wrote "Musica Celestis," he had in mind the ethereal sound of music from more than 800 years ago. On Monday's Performance Today we'll hear Kernis' celestial composition from a concert by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Danish folk music

Danish folk music

On this weekend's Performance Today, we'll hear Danish folk tunes arranged and performed by members of the Danish String Quartet. Plus we'll travel to Shakespeare's hometown to hear the Orchestra of the Swan give a graceful performance of a Schumann symphony.

Music inspired by Kerouac

Music inspired by Kerouac

Bryce Dessner is a member of a successful rock band called The National. But he's also a performer and composer in the classical tradition. On Friday's Performance Today we'll speak with composer Bryce Dessner about his latest work, which was inspired by the writings of Jack Kerouac.

Bryce Dessner's 'St. Carolyn by the Sea'
Video game music

Video game music

On Thursday's Performance Today, Emily Reese of Top Score joins Fred in the studio to discuss the classical roots of modern video game music.

Friend of Fred: Emily Reese

Friend of Fred: Emily Reese

Radio host Emily Reese combines her enthusiasm for playing video games and passion for classical music as the host of Top Score, a weekly podcast highlighting video game music and the people who create it.

Megalomania or mockery?

Megalomania or mockery?

Depending on your point of view, Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben is either pompous, self-congratulatory excess or brilliant Romantic satire. On Wednesday's Performance Today we'll hear a performance of this piece from Helsinki, Finland. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler.

YourClassical Radio
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