Poster John Williams conducting
John Williams conducting the score to Raiders of the Lost Ark in the Avery Fisher Hall
TashTish at en.wikipedia
Performance Today®

The music that makes the movies

The right music can make a film great, even iconic. Where would Frozen be without a singing snowman? How would the orbital desperation of Gravity feel without the music of Arvo Part? Can you imagine Star Wars without John Williams' pulse-raising compositions? On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll hear this music and more, as we explore unforgettable movie music.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

John Williams: The Asteroid Field, from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Boston Pops Orchestra; John Williams, conductor
Pops in Space: Boston Pops and John Williams
Philips 412884

Frode Fjellheim, Christophe Beck: Eatnemen Vuelie
Cantus
Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Walt Disney Records 8730118

Traditional (arr. Danish String Quartet): Vigstamoin
Danish String Quartet
Wood Works
Dacapo 226081

Traditional (arr. Henrik Odegaard and Grete P. Helgerod): Te'Jondalen Og Fri
Berit Opheim, vocalist; Geir Arne Servan, vocalist; Oslo Kammerkor; Grete Peterson Helgerod, conductor
Bergtatt
FXCD 214

Arvo Part: Spiegel Im Spiegel
Dietmar Schwalke, cello; Alexander Malter, piano
Alina
ECM 1591

John Williams: Star Wars: Main Theme
Boston Pops Orchestra; John Williams, conductor
Pops in Space: Boston Pops and John Williams
Philips 412884

John Williams: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Suite
National Philharmonic Orchestra; Charles Gerhardt, conductor
Music from the John Williams Score Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
RCA 60767

Hour 2

Radames Gnattali: Chiquinha Gonzaga
Sergio Assad, guitar; Odair Assad, guitar
Latin American Music for Two Guitars
Nonesuch 79116

Joseph Haydn: String Quartet in F-minor, Op. 20, No. 5, Hob. III:35
Parker Quartet
Rockport Music, Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA

Paulo Bellinati: Jongo
Sergio Assad, guitar; Odair Assad, guitar
Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, Morrow, GA

Frederic Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor Op. 21: Movements 2-3
Orli Shaham, piano; Aspen Chamber Symphony; David Robertson, conductor
Aspen Chamber Music Festival and School, Benedict Music Tent, Aspen, 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

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®
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->