Poster Simone Dinnerstein and Tift Merritt
Simone Dinnerstein and Tift Merritt
Courtesy of the Artists
Performance Today®

Performance Today for Thursday, May 2, 2013

It might seem to be an unlikely partnership: classical pianist Simone Dinnerstein and singer-songwriter Tift Merritt. On the surface their musical worlds sound very different, but Dinnerstein says when you strip away the details like genre, and instrument and even notation, at the core "what we have in common has to do with emotion and color." On Thursday's Performance Today, Simone Dinnerstein and Tift Merritt discuss finding each other and on finding common musical ground. They'll also play music from their new CD collaboration called "Night."

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 in E minor: III. Scherzo
Lahti Symphony; Osmo Vanska, cond.

Bohuslav Martinu: Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano, H. 300
Marya Martin, flute; Michael Nicolas, cello; Orion Weiss, piano
The Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, Bridgehampton, NY

Jean Sibelius: Finlandia, Op. 26
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; Pietari Inkinen, conductor
Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland

Jean Sibelius: The Swan of Tuonela, from Lemminkainen Suite, Op. 22
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; Pietari Inkinen, conductor
Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland

Colin Jacobsen: The Flowers of Esfahan from Three Miniatures for String Quartet
Brooklyn Rider

Hour 2

Felix Mendelssohn: Song Without Words, Op. 109
Alisa Weilerstein, cello; Vivian Hornik Weilerstein, piano

Franz Schubert: Impromptu No. 2 in A-flat Major, D. 935
Emanuel Ax, piano
Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris

Perfchat: Tift Merritt and Simone Dinnerstein: Perfchat

Tift Merritt: Only in Songs
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Franz Schubert: Night, arr. Merritt and Dinnerstein
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Henry Purcell: Dido's Lament, arr. Merritt and Dinnerstein
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Billie Holiday: Don't Explain, arr. Nina Simone
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

J.S. Bach: Prelude in B minor, arr. Alexander Siloti
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Traditional: I will give my love an apple, arr. Merritt and Dinnerstein
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Tift Merritt: Colors
Tift Merritt, vocals, guitar, harmonica; Simone Dinnerstein, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Felix Mendelssohn: Song Without Words Mvmt III
Budapest Clarinet Quintet

Robert Schumann: Traumerei from Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7
Joshua Bell, violin; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Michael Stern, conductor

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

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
Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Clarinetist Victor Ni is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Victor recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Victor’s music and the entire interview here.

42:34
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