Performance Today®

French composer Louise Farrenc grew up in Paris in the early 1800s. She had a great career as a pianist and composer, and she was hired as a professor...but at half the pay as men doing the same work. Louise Farrenc fought for equal pay, and she GOT it. Join us to learn more about Louise Farrenc and hear her Sextet for winds and piano.

While at Festival Mozaic in San Luis Obispo, California, cellist and former PT Young Artist in Residence Sterling Elliott took a moment to give us an exclusive outdoor performance of Gaspar Cassado’s Cello Suite III at Wolff Vineyards.

Pianist Marc-André Hamelin loves music by French composer Gabriel Faure. Hamelin says "[Faure's music] …is subtle, sophisticated, but also very sensuous." On today's show, we'll hear Hamelin play music by Gabriel Faure and French composer/educator Nadia Boulanger.

Fred Child sits down with violinist and singer Lucia Micarelli and guitarist Leo Amuedo sit down for a pre-concert conversation at Festival Mozaic.

The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble includes talented young players from Israel and Arab countries. They're a musical ensemble, but they're also a project of cultural diplomacy. Divan founder Daniel Barenboim says, "[In the face of recent violence] ...our message of peace must be louder than ever." Hear their story and a highlight from their recent U.S. tour on today's show.

Composer Richard Danielpour found musical inspiration in a sculpture made by his mother...an image of an Iranian woman breaking away from her veil. He contemplated recent protests in Iran, led by young women who want to choose whether they wear a headscarf or not. On today's show, we'll hear music inspired by the brave women of Iran: Breaking the Veil, by Richard Danielpour.

Composer Matt Jackfert has a particular interest in Appalachian music. On today's show, hear a piece by Jackfert inspired by three scenes from West Virginia, featuring an instrument that isn't typically associated with Appalachian music: the euphonium.

On today's show, we'll hear some fascinating new music by Navajo composer Juantio Becenti. Becenti found a unique parallel between the Navajo creation story and his own musical journey. Join us to hear the ensemble A Far Cry play The Glittering World by Juantio Becenti at a concert presented by the Rockport (MA) Chamber Music Festival.

Amy Beach's Piano Quintet is a technically demanding work, but it is also deeply expressive and emotionally engaging. On today's show, we'll hear Beach’s Piano Quintet played in concert by an ad hoc, all-star quintet at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina.