Poster Shostakovich
Shostakovich head shot. Resting on hand.
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Performance Today®

On the big screen

For an actor, making it big in Hollywood is the epitome of success. But for a classical composer? Most consider the concert hall more of a barometer of success. Many composers have dabbled with composing music for films, however. On today's show, we'll hear music for the big screen, by Dmitri Shostakovich (pictured), Sergei Prokofiev, and Toru Takemitsu.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Bohuslav Martinu: "Magical Bag," from "Spalicek" Suite No. 2
The Prague Chamber Orchestra

Franz Liszt: Paganini Etude No. 2
Pianist Andre-Michel Schub
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Fort Worth, Texas

Dmitri Shostakovich: Three Duets for Two Violins and Piano, Op. 97d
Violinists Ani and Ida Kavafian, and pianist Douglas Ashcraft
Chamber Music Sedona, Sedona, Arizona

"The Piano Puzzler": This week's contestant is Rebecca Butler from St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Bohuslav Martinu: Rhapsody for Viola and Orchestra
Violist Jitka Hosprova with the Prague Chamber Orchestra
Dvorak Hall, Prague, Czech Republic

Hour 2

Alfred Newman: "20th Century Fox Fanfare" and "Street Scene"
The National Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Charles Gerhardt

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in A, K. 305 (K. 293d)
Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Rieko Aizawa
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Cleveland

Dmitri Shostakovich: "Romance" and "Folk Feast," from "The Gadfly Suite," Op. 97a
The Houston Symphony Orchestra with conductor Brett Mitchell
Jones Hall, Houston

Sergei Prokofiev: Romance from "Lieutenant Kije Suite"
Pianist Frederic Chiu
Portland International Piano Festival, Portland, Oregon

Toru Takemitsu: "Three Film Scores"
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with conductor Yuri Bashmet
Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Franz Schubert: Entr'acte No. 3 in B-flat from "Rosamunde," Op. 26, D. 797
The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Yuri Temirkanov
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

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About Performance Today®

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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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