Poster Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Barbara Krafft, 1819.)
Wikimedia Commons
Performance Today®

A four day project

Twenty-five talented pianists competed in this year's National Chopin Piano Competition in Miami. On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear dazzling performances from three of the contestants. Plus, a half hour of music that took Mozart four days to write -- his Symphony No. 36.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture from Cosi fan tutte
Berlin Philharmonic; Daniel Barenboim, conductor
Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte - Highlights
Erato 94821

Aaron Jay Kernis: Too Hot Toccata
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra; Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
The Church of St. John the Divine, Houston, TX

Frederic Chopin: Nocturne in E Major, Op. 62, No. 2
Eric Zuber, piano
Ninth National Chopin Piano Competition, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Miami, FL

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 36 in C, K. 425 "Linz"
Swiss Italian Orchestra; Juraj Valcuha, conductor
Stelio Molo Auditorium, Lugano, Switzerland

Hour 2

Frederic Chopin: Prelude No. 2 & 4
Pieter Wispelwey, cello; Dejan Lazic, piano
Chopin, Cello Waltzes, vol.1 Pieter Wispelwey
Channel Classics 16298

Jean Sibelius: The Bard
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY

Frederic Chopin: Tarantella in A-flat Major, Op. 43
Alex Beyer, piano
Ninth National Chopin Piano Competition, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Miami, FL

Frederic Chopin: Mazurkas, Op. 24: 4. Mazurka in B-flat minor
George Li, piano
Ninth National Chopin Piano Competition, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Miami, FL

Arnold Schoenberg: Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4
Erin Keefe, violin; Stephen Rose, violin; Phillip Ying, viola; Virginia Barron, viola; David Ying, cello; Bion Tsang, cello
The Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

PT Weekend: Nina Bernat

PT Weekend: Nina Bernat

We're excited to introduce our next 2025 Young Artist in Residence: double-bassist Nina Bernat. In today's show, Nina joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our studio in Saint Paul. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Clarice Assad: Constellation

Clarice Assad: Constellation

In 2023, Clarice Assad composed a piece to honor the universe that is her own family. The first two movements depict her daughters, Antonia and Stella; the final movement celebrates her partner, whom Assad says "radiates the warmth and strength of the sun." We'll hear Clarice Assad's "Constellation" on today's show.

1:59:00
Errollyn Wallen: Mighty River

Errollyn Wallen: Mighty River

In 2007, Composer Errollyn Wallen wrote a piece to mark the anniversary of the Abolition of the British Slave Trade. She says, ‘It is human instinct to be free, just as it is for the river to rush headlong to the sea.’ We'll dive into Errollyn Wallen’s Mighty River on today's show.

1:59:00
Unlocking Julia Perry's legacy

Unlocking Julia Perry's legacy

Julia Perry was a remarkable 20th-century American composer. However, after her passing in 1979, her music was tied up in her estate, preventing anyone from granting permission for its use... until now. Tune in today to learn about the exciting new arrangement to share Julia Perry's music with the world.

1:59:00
Ravel and Gershwin

Ravel and Gershwin

In 1928, Maurice Ravel spent some time hanging out with George Gershwin in Harlem jazz clubs. The sounds Ravel heard in Harlem made their way into some of his subsequent compositions. On today’s show, pianist Inon Barnatan joins the Aspen Music Festival Orchestra to play Ravel's jazz-influenced Piano Concerto in G Major.

1:59:00
Share a farewell message with Fred Child
Young Artist in Residence: Nina Bernat

Young Artist in Residence: Nina Bernat

We’re proud to introduce double-bassist Nina Bernat, the next member of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Nina recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can listen to Nina’s music and the entire interview here.

42:00
Nina Bernat

Nina Bernat

We're excited to introduce our next 2025 Young Artist in Residence: double-bassist Nina Bernat. In today's show, Nina joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our studio in Saint Paul.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Gao Hong's 'Reminiscences of My Hometown'

PT Weekend: Gao Hong's 'Reminiscences of My Hometown'

COVID travel restrictions kept Gao Hong from visiting her family in China, so she reminisced about her childhood to comfort herself and channeled that nostalgia into a new piece for pipa and bassoon. Join us today to hear Gao Hong play her concerto, "Reminiscences of My Hometown," from a recent concert in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1:59:00
Florence Price: Symphony No. 3

Florence Price: Symphony No. 3

In 1940, Eleanor Roosevelt was introduced to Symphony No. 3 by African American composer Florence Price; the First Lady loved it and praised it enthusiastically in her daily newspaper column. On today’s show, we’ll take you to a recent concert in St. Louis for a performance of Price’s Symphony No. 3.

1:59:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

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.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

About Performance Today®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00