Performance Today®

On today's show, we'll hear a cello concerto that premiered last fall: Last Year by Mark Adamo. Adamo described it as an updated, environmental take on a familiar classic by Vivaldi.

American composer Pierre Jalbert is from a French-Canadian family. He hadn’t thought about addressing his heritage in music until he found inspiration in French-Canadian folk songs. On today's show, we'll hear the world premiere performance of Jalbert’s L'esprit du Nord (Spirit of the North), performed and commissioned by the Apollo Chamber Players.

Pianist Sara Davis Buechner says that music takes her to a place where she feels completely herself, especially the music of Mozart. Tune in and learn more about Sara Davis Buechner and hear her play music by Bach and Mozart.

Composer Richard Scofano wrote a 15-minute piece of music inspired by a hopeful vision of the future. On today's show, hear La Tierra sin Mal (The Land Without Evil) by Richard Scofano; a musical journey through struggle, determination, and finally, the discovery of peace and serenity.

Every week, composer Bruce Adolphe joins us for a musical game, our Piano Puzzler. Bruce re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. We get one of our listeners on the phone who tries to guess the hidden tune and the composer whose style Bruce is imitating. Play along with the PT Piano Puzzler on today’s show.

As a kid, flutist Matvey Demin was upset that the Tchaikovsky Competition was only for pianists, string players, and singers. But, In 2019, a new category opened up for wind instruments… and Demin took first prize. Hear Matvey Demin’s gold medal final round concerto on this episode of Performance Today.

American composer William Bolcom teaches at the University of Michigan, where, on Saturdays in the fall, the town is abuzz for Wolverine football. On today's show, hear the world premiere live performance recording of Bolcom's "Ann Arbor Saturday."

Every week, composer Bruce Adolphe joins us for a musical game, our Piano Puzzler. Bruce re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. We get one of our listeners on the phone who tries to guess the hidden tune and the composer whose style Bruce is imitating. Play along with the PT Piano Puzzler on this episode of Performance Today.

Quartet San Francisco is dedicated to advancing the traditional string quartet structure into a new world of vibrant music. On today’s show, hear Quartet San Francisco play their version of Rhapsody in Blue.