Performance Today®

Violinist Bella Hristova and composer David Ludwig were married in 2015. In the months leading up to the wedding, Ludwig wrote a piece for Hristova—not a 2-minute bon-bon for the reception, but a full concerto for solo violin and orchestra. On today's episode, we'll hear Bella Hristova play Ludwig's concerto with JoAnn Falletta conducting the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

If composer Gioachino Rossini were alive today, he'd be 232 years old, but only celebrating his 56th birthday. Rossini was born on February 29th. Music by the Leap Day birthday boy, Rossini, on this episode of Performance Today.

Georgetown University has opened a center to examine the legacy of slavery, including that history within the school itself. In 2021, Georgetown commissioned composer Carlos Simon to write a piece in honor of the people sold by Georgetown in 1838. We'll hear the Requiem for the Enslaved by Carlos Simon on today's show. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler!

At the age of ten, American violinist Rachel Barton Pine debuted with the Chicago Symphony. She was also the first and youngest American to win the gold medal at the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. We'll hear from one of Rachel Barton Pine's most recent projects on today's show.

Brandon Patrick George is a renowned American flutist and a member of Imani Winds, celebrated for his elegant and virtuosic performances. On today's show, we'll hear him perform two solo pieces for flute, one by Shawn Okpebholo and the other by Ruth Crawford Seeger.

In 1948, American composer William Grant Still was inspired by some poems about the natural beauty of the American South. On this episode of Performance Today, take a break with us and hear Wood Notes, William Grant Still's work of quiet musical contemplation. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler!

Sure, it's a flashy showpiece for piano, but Kirill Gerstein says, "If you dig deeper, it's also a sincere expression straight from the heart." On today's show, hear Kirill Gerstein play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with conductor Hannu Lintu leading the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

For composer Michael Abels, the early 90s felt like a time of warming international relations. With the Cold War ending, he wrote a piece highlighting the connections among traditions worldwide. We'll hear 'Global Warming' by Michael Abels on this episode of Performance Today.

In 1948, American composer William Grant Still was inspired by some poems about the natural beauty of the American South. On this episode of Performance Today, take a break with us and hear Wood Notes, William Grant Still's work of quiet musical contemplation. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler!