Poster Various sugar cookies
Various sugar cookies
wikimedia commons
Performance Today®

Musical holiday treats

Ask a few bakers about sugar cookies, and you'll hear an endless list of recipe variations. The musical equivalent might be the traditional song Greensleeves... there are countless variations, all centered around that irresistible theme. On Friday's Performance Today, hear a tasty Greensleeves recipe by Ralph Vaughn Williams, as well as a wide-ranging selection of holiday music.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden: Prologue
Mariinsky Orchestra; Anna Netrebko, soprano; Zlata Bulycheva, mezzo soprano; Ilya Bannik, bass; Valery Gergiev, conductor
Russian Album
Deutshe Grammophon 8153

Schubert - Britten - traditional: Music for the Virgin Mary (various selections)
Uppsala Academic Chamber Choir - The Romeros & Concerto Malaga- Chantacleer - Kirkmount
various locations

Victor Hely-Hutchinson: A Carol Symphony
Pro Arte Orchestra; Barry Rose, conductor
Hely-Hutchinson - Carol Symphony
EMI 64131

Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne (arr. Yolanda Kondonassis and Jurij Konje): Do You Hear What I Hear?
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp; Jurij Konje, percussion
Dream Season
Telarc 80446

Hour 2

Traditional: Christmas Proclamation
Dominican Sisters of Mary-Mother of the Eucharist
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
De Montfort Music, LLC 88985 41741 2

Traditional - Joaquin Rodrigo - Mel Torme & Robert Wells: Set of Holiday Music
Imani Winds - BBC Symphony Orchestra - Giovanni De Chiaro, guitar
various locations

Jack Rollins/Steve Nelson - traditional - Aaron Jay Kernis: Set of Holiday Music
Dallas Brass - Calmus Vocal Ensemble - St. Olaf Orchestra
various locations

Thomas Ravenscroft - Vaughan Williams - Kay Hawkes - Robert MacGimsey: Set of Holiday Music
Calmus Vocal Ensemble - Buffalo Philharmonic - BYU Concert Choir/soloists - Charis Chamber Voices
various locations

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