The Piano Puzzler

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

On today's show, we're highlighting Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World." Conductor Cristian Măcelaru explains how the composer's work captures an American soundscape while also beautifully reflecting his own Czech heritage. The result, Măcelaru says, is a powerful contribution from an immigrant artist to American culture.

Lalo Schifrin was an Argentine-American composer who combined his classical training with a love for jazz. He was best known for his extensive body of film and TV scores, including the theme for Mission: Impossible. On today's show, we'll hear an all-star ensemble perform Schifrin's ‘Tango a Borges’ at a recent concert in San Antonio.

The Jamaican folk song 'Come Back, Liza' is full of longing. Composer Eleanor Alberga used that song as the basis for a new piece dedicated to the memory of her mother. On today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Charleston, South Carolina, to hear 'Remember' by Eleanor Alberga.

On today's show, we're featuring Evren Ozel's Bronze Medal-winning performance from the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Hear Ozel's rendition of Rachmaninoff’s demanding 'Variations on a Theme of Corelli,' and 'Rachtime,' a new work by Gabriela Montero.

Today, we explore the spiritual and creative ideas behind the music of Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. We'll hear from Ortiz's "Altar de Cuerda”, music she envisions as an altar—a space to elevate music—where the solo violin floats above the orchestra and the ethereal sound of tuned crystal glasses. Today’s performance features violinist Susie Park and the Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by Paolo Bortolameolli.

In today's episode, we explore the captivating story and tragic history behind Hugo Alfvén's ballet 'The Mountain King.' Learn how Alfvén transformed the story into a dark tragedy after a real-life collaboration was cut short by a terrible accident. Conductor Thomas Søndergård leads the Minnesota Orchestra in the Suite from 'The Mountain King' by Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén.

This fall, the renowned conductor Cristian Macelaru begins his tenure as the Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO). One piece he recently shared with Cincinnati audiences is by one of his favorite composers: Wynton Marsalis. On today's episode, we'll hear Macelaru lead the CSO in a performance of Marsalis's Blues Symphony.

During Yom Kippur, cantors sing the Kol Nidre, a musical prayer for forgiveness that has captured the attention of several composers. We’ll hear an adaptation of Kol Nidre by Max Bruch on today’s show.

It was arguably the biggest classical music event of 2025: a gala concert in Paris celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Opera Garnier venue. We'll take you there to hear the Vienna Philharmonic and pianist Yuja Wang perform the opening movement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.