Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Unoriginal Stravinsky

Unoriginal Stravinsky

When Igor Stravinsky completed the music for his ballet, "The Firebird," he criticized his own work for being unoriginal. However, it represented "good conditions for success," he said. Nowadays, we view Stravinsky as one of the most original (and successful) composers ever, constantly reinventing himself and his composing styles. Today's show features a suite from Stravinsky's "The Firebird," played by the Budapest Festival Orchestra and conductor Ivan Fischer.

YourClassical
How not to get a job

How not to get a job

Before Irish flutist James Galway became an international star as a soloist, he held one of the most prestigious orchestral chairs in Europe. He was solo flutist with the Berlin Philharmonic. But it almost didn't happen. Galway won the position, but didn't like the way the audition was handled, so he initially turned it down. Today, we'll hear James Galway in two movements from a Mozart flute concerto, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Music from Ramallah

Music from Ramallah

Conductor Daniel Barenboim formed the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra with young musicians from several Middle Eastern countries. The group performed an historic concert in the Palestinian city of Ramallah on the West Bank, and we'll go there to hear performances of a Mozart Sinfonia Concertante and some of Sir Edward Elgar's "Enigma" Variations.

Taking Flight

Taking Flight

In 1927, Italian composer Ottorino Respighi wrote a suite of musical portraits. Not of kings or queens, mythological or historical figures. It was a suite of bird music, including portraits of the hen, the dove, the nightingale, and the cuckoo (pictured). As you enjoy the spring bird migration outside your window, you can listen to these charming settings of their music, performed by the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and conductor Nicholas McGegan.

Mozart's Secret Passion

Mozart's Secret Passion

Mozart loved to hang out at the kegelstatt, or bowling alley. The story goes that he got the idea for a piece of music while bowling. And the "Kegelstatt" trio was born. Turns out, modern scholars don't think the story was true, but the name has stuck. Today, we'll hear the "Kegelstatt" trio performed by the Prima Trio in Palm Beach, Florida.

Bach's Birthday

Bach's Birthday

Bach's 324th birthday was two days ago, and we'll celebrate with music by Bach and music inspired by Bach. Almost every composer owes something to Bach's great legacy. Robert Schumann paid homage with a fugue based on the letters in Bach's name. Heitor Villa-Lobos wrote music that combined Brazilian folk melodies with Bach. Leonard Bernstein took a decidedly American approach, combining Bach with jazz. It's all on Monday's Performance Today.

YourClassical
Celebrating Spring

Celebrating Spring

Today marks the vernal equinox, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. We'll hear what spring sounds like to composers Vivaldi, Piazzolla, Debussy, and Schubert. Plus, we'll hear music about flowers, frogs, and California's Santa Ana Winds. Experience springtime and the joy of being reborn, on today's PT.