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Performance Today®

Tilting at Windmills

Tilting at windmills. Doing battle with a flock of sheep. Miguel de Cervantes' wildly delusional knight-errant, Don Quixote, has been a favorite literary character since he first appeared in 1605. Quixote puts in appearance on today's show in the form of Richard Strauss' tone poem of the same name. It calls for a solo cello and viola, portraying Don Quixote and his faithful sidekick, Sancho Panza. Cellist Tamas Varga and violist Christian Frohn are the featured soloists in this recent BBC Proms performance, with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Zubin Mehta.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Presto from Symphony No. 30 in D, K. 202
The Vienna Philharmonic with conductor James Levine

Bela Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances
Muzsikas and the Takacs Quartet
Jordan Hall, Boston

Richard Strauss: "Don Quixote," Op. 35
Cellist Tamas Varga and violist Christian Frohn with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Zubin Mehta
The BBC Proms, London, England

Hour 2

Bernhard Joachim Hagen: Sonata in F
Lutenist John Schneiderman, violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock, and cellist William Skeen

Richardo Rogniono: "Un Gai Bergier"
Paul Leenhouts, recorder, and Gabriel Shuford, harpsichord
Boston Early Music Festival, Boston

Maurice Ravel: "Minuet Antique"
Flutist Lorna McGhee, violist David Harding, and harpist Heidi Krutzen
Strings Music Festival, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Claude Debussy: "Ballade"
Flutist Lorna McGhee, violist David Harding, and harpist Heidi Krutzen
Strings Music Festival, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

John McCabe: Horn Concerto ("Rainforest IV")
French hornist David Pyatt with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor Jac van Steen
The BBC Proms, London England

Manuel Ponce: "Estrellita" ("Little Star")
Violinist Michael Ludwig with the Buffalo Philharmonic and conductor JoAnn Falletta
Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, New York

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