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.

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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.

Legend of Don Juan

Legend of Don Juan

The story of Don Juan has all the makings of a gripping melodrama -- love, betrayal, and death. On Wednesday's Performance Today, we'll hear the Munich Philharmonic perform Richard Strauss's explosive tone poem based on the legend.

Music for vacuum and floor polisher

Music for vacuum and floor polisher

After a holiday weekend, there's often a big clean-up that has to take place. So on Tuesday's Performance Today, we'll help out with a special piece by Malcolm Arnold; his Grand Overture for Vacuum Cleaners, Floor Polisher, and Concert Band.

The great recycler

The great recycler

Long before we became aware of conserving the environment, Johann Sebastian Bach was hard at work conserving his own output: his musical ideas. On today's show, we'll hear Bach's music as he reworked and finessed his favorite melodies in a variety of performances.

Our weekly musical game

Our weekly musical game

On this weekend's Performance Today, composer Bruce Adolphe joins us with our weekly musical game. Play along; see if you can name the hidden tune and the composer whose style Bruce is mimicking. Plus, we'll hear musical highlights from concert halls around the world.

Martha Argerich

Martha Argerich

Pianist Martha Argerich has a devoted following; fans who will literally follow her from one concert to another. On Friday's Performance Today, we'll take you to a concert in Switzerland to hear her perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2.

The "Ace of Baste"

The "Ace of Baste"

Ray Sanders has become famous for playing a rather unusual instrument - the turkey baster. In celebration of Thanksgiving, we'll hear Sanders and the Dallas Winds perform a very special holiday-related selection on Thursday's Performance Today.

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