The Piano Puzzler

Danish composer Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto features one of the most famous instrumental rivalries in classical music. While the concerto is a dazzling showcase for the woodwinds, a snarky, belligerent snare drum repeatedly intrudes into the music, needling and interrupting the soloist like a sibling looking for a fight. On today's show, Paavo Järvi conducts the North German Radio Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, with clarinetist Martin Fröst, in a performance of Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto.

During a time when Soviet officials sidelined her work for being "irresponsible" and religious, Sofia Gubaidulina found a kindred spirit in an unlikely place: a piece of chalk. In her story, the chalk dreams of drawing castles instead of classroom geometry—a metaphor for Gubaidulina’s own resilience as a composer. On today’s show, Andris Poga conducts the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Gubaidulina’s Marchen-Poem (Fairytale Poem).

We’re proud to introduce pianist Sean Terada Yang, the first member of our 2026 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Samuel recently joined Valerie Kahler in our St. Paul studio. Listen to the music and the entire interview here.

We're excited to introduce our first 2026 PT Young Artist in Residence: Pianist Sean Terada Yang. In today's episode, Sean joins Valerie Kahler for music and conversation at our studio in Saint Paul.

Composer Carlos Simon grew up in the African American Pentecostal Church, where lively worship services featured singing, dancing, and sometimes speaking in tongues. In this episode, we're highlighting Simon's 'Four Black American Dances'—music inspired by his experiences in the church and community where he was raised.

The Syrian Civil War has devastated more than lives, homes, and communities. With all that has been lost, Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali feels an imperative to preserve and share traditional Syrian music. On today's show, we'll hear a piece full of traditional Syrian styles and themes: Malek Jandali's Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra.

Pianist and composer Stephen Hough took a twenty-year break from composing until a nudge from John Corigliano brought him back to the page. Now, Hough says he’s abandoned the pressure to be perfect, writing "nonstop" for the pure joy of creating. We’ll hear him perform his 2019 Partita on today’s show, recorded live at Spivey Hall in Morrow, Georgia.

In 1824, the cello and double bass were rarely center stage on their own, mostly tasked with holding down a standard, repetitive bass line. Gioachino Rossini defied those expectations and took a risk, giving those two low voices of the string section a starring role in a musical conversation. On today's show, we'll hear cellist Paul Watkins and double bassist Nina Bernat bring that dialogue to life in Gioachino Rossini’s Duet for Cello and Double Bass.

Violinist Bella Hristova and composer David Ludwig were married in 2015. In the months leading up to the wedding, Ludwig wrote a piece for Hristova—not a 2-minute bonbon for the reception, but a full concerto for solo violin and orchestra. On today's episode, we'll hear Bella Hristova play Ludwig's concerto with JoAnn Falletta conducting the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 1924, Maurice Ravel drew on the rhythms and flair of the Hungarian Roma people to create one of the most demanding showcases in the violin repertoire. Written for virtuoso Jelly d’Arányi—who famously mastered the complex score just days before the premiere—the work demands all of the technical skill a violinist can muster. On today's show, Conductor Matthias Pintscher leads the Aspen Chamber Symphony with soloist Blake Pouliot in a recent performance of Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane.