Performance Today®

Gustav Mahler's monumental Symphony Number 8 (the "Symphony of a Thousand") is ambitious in almost every way. Not just its size (intended for an amassed orchestra and chorus of 1,000 people), but in its emotional and intellectual content. Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony have just completed a massive recording project, recording all of the Mahler symphonies. We'll feature Tilson Thomas and San Francisco in part one of the Symphony of a Thousand in today's show. Look for part two on Wednesday.

Divorcing couples often have to split up their friends as well as their assets. Johannes Brahms was great friends with violinist Joseph Joachim and his wife, until the couple divorced, and Brahms sided with Mrs. Joachim. Brahms wrote his double concerto for violin and cello as a sort of peace offering to Joseph Joachim, helping to heal the rift in their friendship. Violinist Baiba Skride and cellist Sol Gabetta are our soloists today, in Brahms' musical peace offering.

Earlier this month, we broadcast a performance of "New York Counterpoint," a 1985 minimalist classic by Steve Reich, with parts for 11 clarinets. Performance Today listeners responded in droves: some absolutely loved it, others...not so much. This weekend, Fred has PT listener comments about New York Counterpoint...and composer Steve Reich comments on the comments. Fred talks with Reich, who describes the piece and explains what he had in mind. (And...Reich says he doesn't compose "minimalist music," he simply composes "music.") Of course, we'll hear it again! Richie Hawley in concert in Santa Barbara, California plays "New York Counterpoint."

28 year-old conductor Gustavo Dudamel lights up Disney Hall once again, this time conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in an incandescent concert performance of the Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.

The Oslo Chamber Choir was founded as a purely classical ensemble 25 years ago. They have the beautiful rich sound of the best classical choirs, but they've also become intrepid musical adventurers. They'll join Fred in the studio for day 2 of music and conversation. Today, Norwegian folk music inspired by the calls of shepherds looking for lost sheep in the mountains, with vocal imitations of the sounds of wild Norway in the background. Plus, an innovative combination of Norwegian folk songs and sacred music by Rachmaninoff.

The Oslo Chamber Choir was founded as a classical vocal ensemble 25 years ago. Then they added some Norwegian folk songs. Now, they're experimenting with laying the folk songs right on top of choral classics. The Oslo Chamber Choir joins Fred in the studio to explain, and to demonstrate their new versions of choral works by Anton Bruckner and Edvard Grieg; these are daring and hauntingly beautiful combinations.

When Mozart was writing his Symphony Number 29 in 1774, Australia was pretty much as it had been for the previous 40,000 years. Westerners wouldn't start arriving for another decade or more. Much has changed in the intervening centuries. Today, Australia is a thoroughly modern nation with a thriving arts scene. On today's show, we'll hear Richard Tognetti lead the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Mozart's 29th symphony, from a recent concert in Melbourne.

Earlier this month, we broadcast a performance of "New York Counterpoint," a 1985 minimalist classic by Steve Reich, with parts for 11 clarinets. Performance Today listeners responded in droves: some absolutely loved it, others...not so much. Today, Fred has PT listener comments about New York Counterpoint...and composer Steve Reich comments on the comments. Fred talks with Reich, who describes the piece and explains what he had in mind. (And...Reich says he doesn't compose "minimalist music," he simply composes "music.") Of course, we'll hear it again! Richie Hawley in concert in Santa Barbara, California plays "New York Counterpoint."

American conductor James Levine is normally very busy this time of year. He's music director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York as well as the Boston Symphony. But Levine is out recuperating from back surgery. He was supposed to make his return to the podium this week, but Levine's doctors nixed that. He's under orders to take it easy for a while longer. The staff of PT wishes him a speedy recovery. In today's show, we'll feature a pre-surgery performance of Levine conducting the Boston Symphony in Haydn's Symphony Number 104.