Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Missy Mazzoli: Procession

Missy Mazzoli: Procession

During the height of the pandemic, American composer Missy Mazzoli read about the history of medieval healing rituals, which was the inspiration behind a new piece of music. Join us today to hear Procession, a violin concerto by Missy Mazzoli.

John Harbison looks back

John Harbison looks back

In the 1940s, Composer John Harbison grew up in a musical family in New Jersey. The Harbisons would gather around the piano and sing together. John Harbison had those memories in mind when he wrote a set of pieces called "Songs America Loves to Sing." On today's show, we'll hear it from a concert in Athens, Georgia.

Iva Bittova

Iva Bittova

Iva Bittova is a Czech violinist, singer, and composer. Her work these days is mostly focused on playing violin and singing, but she is still strongly influenced by her background in acting and dance. On today's episode, learn more about Iva Bittova and hear a performance of her composition "Divna Slecinka."

The bass trombone's time to shine

The bass trombone's time to shine

The rich, deep tone of the bass trombone makes it part of the backbone of a brass section, but it rarely gets a moment in the spotlight. Now, it's time to shine. On today's show, hear a new concerto by Kenneth Fuchs, featuring George Curran on bass trombone.

An American Rhapsody

An American Rhapsody

Join us this Independence Day for a multimedia piece that highlights the unifying words of George Washington, set to dramatic music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. The Sphinx Symphony Orchestra plays "An American Rhapsody" by Aaron Dworkin on this episode of Performance Today.

PT Weekend: Michelle Cann

PT Weekend: Michelle Cann

Pianist Michelle Cann works to make classical music accessible for everyone. She sees it as an honor to be in a position to have some impact, and we here at PT are honored to feature her work. Join us today to hear Michelle Cann perform a concerto by Ernest Chausson, along with violinist Jinjoo Cho and the Verona String Quartet.

PT Young Artist: Sterling Elliott

PT Young Artist: Sterling Elliott

We're proud to introduce you to our next 2022 PT Young Artist in Residence: Cellist Sterling Elliott. Sterling recently joined us via Zoom from The Juilliard School in New York City. Hear the conversation and music right here!

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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.

Tyler Martin

Tyler Martin

For more than 20 years now, students from top music schools have joined us as PT Young Artists in Residence, and today we'll hear from one of the Young Artists in this year's series. Join us for music and conversation with a truly inspiring artist and music advocate, flutist Tyler Martin.