Poster George Enescu
George Enescu
Public domain courtesy Wikipedia.org
Performance Today®

A lively Romanian Rhapsody

George Enescu is best known for one work, his Romanian Rhapsody. He wrote it when he was 20, and for the rest of his life, it became his only work that people wanted to hear. It's probably not surprising that Enescu grew to hate it. Today, we'll hear a lively performance of the Romanian Rhapsody by the Central German Radio Symphony, led by Roman Kofman.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Bela Bartok: Romanian Dance, BB 61
The Budapest Festival Orchestra with conductor Ivan Fischer

Bohuslav Martinu: Third movement from Sonata for Flute and Piano
Flutist Lorna McGhee and pianist Anton Nel
Seattle Chamber Music Society Winter Festival, Seattle

Maurice Ravel: "A Boat on the Ocean," from "Mirrors"
Pianist Martina Filjak
Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dances No. 11 in D Minor and No. 19 in A Minor
Violinist Hilary Hahn and pianist Valentina Lisitsa
Spivey Hall, Morrow, Georgia

Bela Bartok: Two Hungarian Folksongs
Soprano Dawn Upshaw with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and conductor Richard Tognetti
Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia

Louis-Nicolas Clerambault: Air and Chaconne
The Croatian Baroque Ensemble with conductor Herve Niquet
Croatian Music Institute, Zagreb, Croatia

George Enescu: Romanian Rhapsody in A, Op. 11, No. 1
The Central German Radio Symphony Orchestra with conductor Roman Kofman
Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Germany

Hour 2

Alexei Stanchinsky: Three Preludes
Pianist Jenny Lin

Joseph Haydn: Trumpet Concerto in E-flat, Hob. VII:1
Trumpeter Alison Balsom with the Central German Radio Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jun Markl
Weimarhalle, Weimar, Germany

Claude Debussy: "Syrinx"
Trumpeter Alison Balsom
Weimarhalle, Weimar, Germany

Claude Debussy: Menuet
Guitarists Leonard and Slava Grigoryan
Spivey Hall, Morrow, Georgia

Jason Freeman: Piano Etudes
Pianist Jenny Lin
Spivey Hall, Morrow, Georgia

Pietro Antonio Locatelli: Concerto Grosso in D, Op. 1, No. 5
La Follia Barocca
First Baptist Church, Savannah, Georgia

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

Music for a 'dearly beloved brother'

Music for a 'dearly beloved brother'

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote only one piece of keyboard music that was programmatic, meaning it tells a story. The 19-year-old Bach composed this piece for his older brother Johann Jakob when he left home to join the Swedish Army band as an oboist. On today's show, we'll hear Bach's musical description of the occasion: the Capriccio on the Departure of his most Dearly Beloved Brother.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: A special Piano Puzzler

PT Weekend: A special Piano Puzzler

PT Young Artist David Lai is a devoted fan of our weekly game, the Piano Puzzler. He submits his guesses every week and has even written Piano Puzzler-style pieces of his own. On today’s program, pianist David Lai joins Bruce Adolphe (in person!) at our St. Paul studio to see if he can guess this week's Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
The GLISS Composition Residency

The GLISS Composition Residency

The GLISS Composition Residency offers trans-feminine composers a unique summer opportunity for mentorship and community building. Tune in today to learn more about the program and its founders on today’s show.

1:59:00
David Lai

David Lai

We're pleased to present pianist David Lai, one of our 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's show, David joins Fred Child for music and conversation at our Saint Paul studio.

1:59:00
PT Young Artist David Lai plays the Piano Puzzler

PT Young Artist David Lai plays the Piano Puzzler

PT Young Artist David Lai is a devoted fan of our weekly game, the Piano Puzzler. He submits his guesses every week and has even written Piano Puzzler-style pieces of his own. On today’s program, pianist David Lai joins Bruce Adolphe (in person!) at our St. Paul studio to see if he can guess this week's Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Inon Barnatan and Summerfest La Jolla

Inon Barnatan and Summerfest La Jolla

Pianist Inon Barnatan keeps busy as a musician, playing on the most prestigious stages around the world. He's also the Music Director of Summerfest La Jolla in California. On today's show, we'll hear a stunning performance at a stunning location—Inon Barnatan and violinist Augustin Hadelich play a piece by Camille Saint-Saens at Summerfest La Jolla.

1:59:00
Composer Viet Cuong

Composer Viet Cuong

In 2022, composer Viet Cuong found himself at his father's bedside in the ICU. He played some of his compositions—music he knew his father loved—and hoped that the sound, or "sine waves," would reach his father's consciousness. Cuong realized that his love for his father and his passion for music were inseparable. Join us for a concert at the University of Georgia to hear “Vital Sines” by Viet Cuong.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Meet Victor Ni

PT Weekend: Meet Victor Ni

We're pleased to introduce you to clarinetist Victor Ni, our next 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's program, Victor joins Fred Child for music and conversation in our Saint Paul studio. Plus, Bruce Adolphe joins us for this week’s Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Augustin Hadelich and the St Louis Symphony

Augustin Hadelich and the St Louis Symphony

Once troubled by pre-concert jitters so intense that he needed a push to get on stage, violinist Augustin Hadelich has discovered a new sense of calm. Breathing exercises have transformed his performance experience, making the stage feel like home. On today's program, Agustin Hadelich and the St. Louis Symphony play music by Samuel Barber.

1:59:00
Julio Medaglia

Julio Medaglia

Composer Julio Medaglia was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1938. He studied conducting in Germany for ten years before returning to Brazil to conduct and compose. For 30 years, he hosted a daily radio show in São Paulo that sounded similar to PT, combining concert highlights and contemporary music. On today's show, we'll hear the Imani Winds play Julio Medaglia's 'Belle Epoque en Sud-America,’ including a really fun movement named "Crazy Baby Clarinette!"

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