The Piano Puzzler

Drawing inspiration from the Greek myth of Persephone, composer James Stephenson imagined a musical prequel to Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring. Weaving in a subtle three-note motif and harmonic nods directly borrowed from Copland's masterpiece, Stephenson's work takes listeners on a journey from springtime fields to the realm of Hades and back. On today's program, conductor Delyana Lazarova leads members of ROCO, Houston's chamber orchestra, in the world premiere performance of James Stephenson’s Persephone.

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.

We often hear Samuel Barber's Adagio as a standalone piece for string orchestra, but it began as the slow movement of a string quartet. Alone, the Adagio feels simple, profound, and somehow more poignant in the context of the full quartet. Hear the Viano String Quartet perform Barber's Adagio at a concert presented by Music@Menlo in Menlo Park, California.

Australian guitar-playing brothers Ziggy and Miles Johnston skipped competing against each other in music competitions, choosing instead to become a package deal. When one was offered a solo gig, they would ask, "Do you want a duo instead?" They now perform exclusively together. We'll hear Ziggy and Miles bring their collaborative spirit to their arrangement of Claude Debussy's Suite Bergamasque on today's show.

After Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart premiered his Quintet for Piano and Winds in 1784, he said it was the best thing he had ever written. Scored for the unusual combination of piano, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn, this inventive work remains a popular gem in the chamber repertoire. Join us today to hear Mozart's Quintet for Piano and Winds performed live in Atlanta by the Georgian Chamber Players.

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.

Australian guitar-playing brothers Ziggy and Miles Johnston skipped competing against each other in music competitions, choosing instead to become a package deal. When one was offered a solo gig, they would ask, "Do you want a duo instead?" They now perform exclusively together. We'll hear Ziggy and Miles bring their collaborative spirit to their arrangement of Claude Debussy's Suite Bergamasque on today's show.

On today's show, we'll hear new music by Navajo composer Juantio Becenti. Becenti found a unique parallel between the Navajo creation story and his musical journey. Join us to hear the ensemble A Far Cry perform Becenti's The Glittering World at a concert in Rockport, Massachusetts. Plus, we'll hear the ensemble ROCO perform Errollyn Wallen's musical snapshot of dance at a concert in Houston.

William Grant Still’s Suite for Violin (or Cello) and Piano brings visual art to life through music. Still composed the work in three movements, each inspired by a sculpture by a prominent Black artist associated with the Harlem Renaissance. On today's program, we'll hear violinist Randall Goosby's arrangement of Still's suite, performed at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Cellist Sterling Elliott takes the solo role, accompanied by the Sphinx Virtuosi.

In 2009, composer Valerie Coleman drew on her Southern roots to write a piece that evokes a lively family gathering. Characterized by energy and charm, the work captures the warmth and hospitality of the South. Join us today to hear Imani Winds perform Coleman’s Red Clay and Mississippi Delta live at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.