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

Romantic, dramatic Rachmaninoff

Romantic, dramatic Rachmaninoff

On Friday's Performance Today, we have romantic, dramatic music by Rachmaninoff from a concert in Los Angeles. Lise de la Salle tearing up the piano, while Gustavo Dudamel conducts the LA Philharmonic in Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos

Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos

Mozart wrote his Concerto for Two Piano with himself and his sister in mind. On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear Joanne Pearce Martin and Jeffrey Kahane play it in concert with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Sunny music from Los Angeles

Sunny music from Los Angeles

On Wednesday's Performance Today, we'll go to sunny Los Angeles to hear the LA Philharmonic play Brahms' sunny Symphony No. 2. Plus, Bruce Adolphe joins us for our weekly Piano Puzzler.

WindSync without music stands

WindSync without music stands

When the young wind quintet called WindSync plays a concert, they memorize their music and play without music stands. Why do they do this? We'll find out on Tuesday's Performance Today, when WindSync joins Fred in the studio for music and conversation.

In studio with WindSync

In studio with WindSync

Wind quintet WindSync joins Fred in the studio to discuss their approach to playing - and performing - classical music.

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Bell, Isserlis, and Varjon

Bell, Isserlis, and Varjon

Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis are classical superstars. But when they wanted a pianist for a European tour, they decided to choose a pianist whose playing they loved, but who isn't famous - yet. His name is Denes Varjon, and on Monday's Performance Today we'll hear Bell, Isserlis, and Varjon play a Chopin piano trio in concert in Poland.

A weekend of unusual instruments

A weekend of unusual instruments

Lots of unusual instruments on the way on this weekend's Performance Today, including a 21st century concerto for Pipa and Orchestra, and a Grand Grand Overture for Vacuum Cleaners, Floor Polisher, and Concert Band.

Modern music for an ancient instrument

Modern music for an ancient instrument

The Chinese lute, or pipa, has been around for more than two thousand years. On Friday's Performance Today, we'll hear a 21st century composition for pipa performed by Wu Man and the Buffalo Philharmonic.

Houston Spotlight

Houston Spotlight

On Thursday's Performance Today, Lawrence Foster conducts the Houston Symphony Orchestra in a glorious performance of music from Edward Elgar's Enigma Variations at Jones Hall in Texas.

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