Ever wonder what makes some music great? It's maybe not as subjective as it seems. Music commentator Rob Kapilow (pictured) joins host Fred Child today to talk about some of the techniques that George Frideric Handel used in his "Hallelujah Chorus," techniques that make it a choral masterpiece. And conductor Harry Christophers leads a performance of the Messiah, from a concert in Germany.
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
Benjamin Britten: In Freezing Winter Night and Deo Gracias!, from A Ceremony of Carols
The Sixteen, Sioned Williams, harp, Harry Christophers, director
Traditional (arranged by Craig Phillips): The Darkest Midnight in December
New York Polyphony
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis
Arvo Part: Christmas Lullaby
The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Tonu Kaljuste, conductor
George Frideric Handel: Excerpts from the Messiah, HWV 56
The Sixteen, Harry Christophers, conductor
MusikFest Erzgebirge, Marienberg, Germany
Hour 2
Alexander Glazunov: Excerpts from the Seasons, Op. .67
The Philharmonia Orchestra, Yevgeny Svetlanov, conductor
Eriks Esenvalds: Fanfare for Orchestra
The German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Mark Chichon, conductor
Congress Hall, Saarbrucken, Germany
Sheena Phillips: The Christmas Bird
The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, Michele Frisch, flute, Philip Brunelle, director
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis
Bruce Adolphe: Santa and Isolde
The Metropolitan Opera Brass
David Lovrien: Minor Alterations No. 2 (Christmas Through the Looking Glass)
The Dallas Wind Symphony, Jerry Junkin, conductor
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas
Caspar Othmayr: This Evenfall 'tis Snowing
The Taylor Festival Choir, Robert Taylor, director
Peteris Vasks: Distant Light
Alina Pogostkina, violin, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Stephen Paulus: Pilgrims' Hymn
The National Lutheran Choir, David Cherwien, director
Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis
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About Performance Today®
To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.
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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