Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Gabriela Montero: Latin Concerto

Gabriela Montero: Latin Concerto

In 2016, pianist and composer Gabriela Montero wrote what she describes as "a portrait of Latin American in all its splendor." On today's show, we'll hear Montero's Piano Concerto No. 1 ("Latin Concerto") with Carlos Miguel Prieto conducting the Orchestra of the Americas.

Sterling Elliott

Sterling Elliott

Cellist Sterling Elliott is a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and the winner of the Senior Division of the 2019 National Sphinx Competition. He is also a 2022 Performance Today Young Artist in Residence! Join us today for music and conversation with Sterling Elliott.

Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla's music defies category. It's inspired by the tango dance music he grew up with, but he added classical and jazz elements and gave his band members room to add their own ideas and improvisations. On today's show, we'll hear a recording of "Concierto Para Quinteto," from what Piazzolla said was the greatest album of his life.

Music from the 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive

Music from the 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive

Composer James Pecore spent part of this last summer at the 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive (ECI) in Carmel Valley, California. Pecore loves telling stories through music and appreciates the intimacy that stories can build between people. On this weekend's episode, we'll hear Pecore's new piece, "Early Loves."

Samuel Nebyu pushes forward

Samuel Nebyu pushes forward

Ethiopian-Hungarian violinist Samuel Nebyu recently played at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland…and his entire concert was music by composers of African descent. Join us today for highlights from that concert in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Kian Ravaei

Kian Ravaei

Composer Kian Ravaei was captivated by a simple melody by Dvorak. He wrote it down in his sketchbook and returned to it when asked to write his own new piece. We'll hear the world premiere of the Fantasy Variations (on a theme by Dvorak) by Kian Ravaei on today's episode.

James Pecore: Early Loves

James Pecore: Early Loves

Composer James Pecore spent part of this last summer at the 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive (ECI) in Carmel Valley, California. Pecore loves telling stories through music and appreciates the intimacy that stories can build between people. We'll hear Pecore's new piece, "Early Loves," on today's show.

Music from the 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive

Music from the 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive

The 2022 Emerging Composers Intensive (ECI) took place on the campus of Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley, California. ECI is a workshop for up-and-coming composers ranging in age from late teens to early 30s. On today's show, we'll hear "The Bell Tower," a new piece by 22-year-old composer Sophie Fay.

Empowering young composers

Empowering young composers

For 25 years, the New York Philharmonic has been encouraging and empowering young musicians with their Very Young Composers program. On today’s show, we’ll hear works by 16-year-old Nicholas Hutfilz and 14-year-old Dalya Shaman.