Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

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As if waking from a dream

As if waking from a dream

Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24 differs from many of his other concertos. It doesn't try to please us right away; it begins with a feeling of uncertainty and tension. The tension is resolved when the piano comes in two minutes later, and the music becomes very pleasing. Pianist Joyce Yang says the moment feels like waking suddenly from a dream. On today's show, we'll hear Joyce Yang play the concerto with the Aspen Chamber Symphony, led by conductor Jane Glover.

Puzzling!

Puzzling!

So, what is a Piano Puzzler? Well, it's a familiar tune that Bruce Adolphe has re-written in the style of a classical composer. See if you can name the hidden tune and the composer whose style Bruce is imitating. Join us for this week’s Piano Puzzler. Plus, as part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we'll hear music by Argentine composers Lalo Schifrin and Maximo Diego Pujol.

Sabine Meyer plays Mozart

Sabine Meyer plays Mozart

When Sabine Meyer plays Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, she insists on using the kind of clarinet Mozart had in mind: a basset clarinet, a clarinet that has an extra four low notes. And Mozart uses those extra notes, of course. Sabine Meyer plays Mozart's Clarinet Concerto on today's show.

Kwame Ryan

Kwame Ryan

In 1980, a young aspiring conductor watched a videotape of the New York Philharmonic, and he wore the tape out as he dreamed of his future. Kwame Ryan is now in his first season as Music Director of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. On today’s show, we’ll hear them play Brahms’s Symphony No. 1 at a concert in Charlotte, North Carolina.

PT Weekend: Daniel Dastoor

PT Weekend: Daniel Dastoor

Meet violinist Daniel Dastoor, our next 2024 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's show, Daniel joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our Saint Paul studio.

Mimi Stillman plays Zhou Tian's Concerto for Flute

Mimi Stillman plays Zhou Tian's Concerto for Flute

Composer Zhou Tian recently wrote a new concerto for his longtime friend and collaborator, flutist Mimi Stillman. On today's episode, Stillman joins Fred Child to give a detailed look behind the scenes of the collaborative process and share her favorite moments of this unique work. We'll experience the beauty of the new Concerto for Flute by Zhou Tian, in a world premiere recording by flutist Mimi Stillman and the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra. 

Maddalena Lombardini

Maddalena Lombardini

Maddalena Lombardini had a great career as a violinist and composer in the 18th century. She was the soloist at the 1771 premiere of her own Violin Concerto in London. On today’s show, we'll hear Lombardini’s Violin Concerto from a recent concert at the Kurt Weill Festival in Germany.

Meet Daniel Dastoor

Meet Daniel Dastoor

Meet violinist Daniel Dastoor, our next 2024 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's show, Daniel joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our Saint Paul studio.

Young Artist in Residence: Daniel Dastoor

Young Artist in Residence: Daniel Dastoor

We’re proud to introduce you to violinist Daniel Dastoor, the next of our 2024 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Daniel joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio—hear Daniel’s music and the entire interview here!

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