Performance Today®

When the Washington National Cathedral approached him to write a new work, Dominick Argento said no. He was grieving the death of his wife, and was done composing. They persisted, suggesting he write a memorial for her. The result was "Evensong - Of Love and Angels." Today, as part of our weekly 21st century feature, we'll hear excerpts from Argento's loving tribute to his wife, soprano Carolyn Bailey.

The story of the wooden horse and the downfall of Troy is part of Virgil's epic poem, "The Aeneid," written more than 2000 years ago. On today's show, we'll hear from classical literature scholar Sarah Ruden, and hear her ideas on the musicality of Virgil's poetry. And we'll hear excerpts from Berlioz' opera, "The Trojans," performed by Colin Davis and the London Symphony.

It was a hot day in Paris when the audience gathered for the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's new ballet, "The Rite of Spring." The crowd didn't know what they were in for, a monumental new work, one that would provoke outrage and change the course of music forever. Even the composer called it "a sacred terror in the noonday sun." On today's show, the Danish National Radio Symphony performs this groundbreaking work.

Rome is an ancient city, overflowing with the history and culture of the past 2500 years. Home of spectacular architectural and archeological sites, it's been the center of great music-making as well. Hour one of today's show focuses on the Eternal City, featuring the music of Ottorino Respighi and Josquin des Prez.

While he was composing it, the working title for one of Aaron Copland's most beloved works was simply, "Ballet for Martha." Martha was Martha Graham, and just before it premiered, the ballet got its name, "Appalachian Spring." We'll hear music from "Appalachian Spring" on today's show, courtesy of the Cleveland Orchestra and conductor James Gaffigan.

Igor Stravinsky: Tango and "La Marseillaise" Violinist Mark Peskanov and pianist Doris Stevenson

Sunday is Mother's Day, and we're celebrating a few days early. Today's show features stories of motherhood and the classical music world. How violinist Leila Josefowicz manages life as both a globe-trotting soloist and a single parent, how pianist Simone Dinnerstein (pictured) found common ground in being pregnant and learning Bach's "Goldberg Variations." You'll hear great stories, and great performances, today on PT.

No pianist tackles the monumental third piano concerto of Sergei Rachmaninoff without a lot of thought, and perhaps a deep breath and even a prayer before walking out on stage. It's one of the most difficult works in the piano repertoire. Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos loves big challenges. On today's show, he'll climb the Mt. Everest of piano concertos, the infamous "Rach Three," accompanied by Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the Oslo Philharmonic.

Johannes Brahms, confirmed bachelor, had a motto for his life: free but happy. Not necessarily ecstatic, but contented. He wrote his third symphony as a reflection on his happily unmarried and unencumbered state. On today's show, Daniele Gatti leads the French National Symphony in a recent performance of Brahms' third in Paris.