Poster Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas
Terrence McCarthy
Performance Today®

The San Francisco Symphony

Last fall, the San Francisco Symphony was preparing for a concert in honor of its 100th birthday. Music director Michael Tilson Thomas searched for just the right piece to show off the talents of the orchestra. What better work, thought Tilson Thomas, than Benjamin Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," which showcases each instrument of the orchestra. We'll hear it, from that gala concert last September.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Carl Nielsen: Second movement from Symphony No. 2
The San Francisco Symphony, Herbert Blomstedt, conductor

Henry Purcell: Abdelazer Suite (The Moor's Revenge), Z. 570
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Benjamin Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
The San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco

Michael Tilson Thomas: Second movement from Street Song
The Bay Brass, Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

Domenico Scarlatti: Symphonia para Empezar
El Mundo, Richard Savino, director

Francesco Manelli: Acceso mio Core
El Mundo, Richard Savino, director

Hour 2

Eugene Ysaye: Second movement from Solo Violin Sonata No. 5 in G, Op. 27
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin

Johann Rosenmuller: Sonata X in F for Strings and Continuo
The Masques Ensemble
Our Lady of Good Help Chapel, Montreal, Quebec

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger: Chacona from Five Pieces for Harp and Theorbo
Arianna Savall, harp, Rolf Lislevand, lute
Schwetzingen Festival, Schwetzingen, Germany

Johannes Brahms: Concerto in D for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 77
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin, the New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert, conductor
Avery Fisher Hall, New York City

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American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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