Poster Leonard Bernstein in 1971
Leonard Bernstein in 1971
from the U.S. News & World Report collection at the Library of Congress
Performance Today®

Bernstein and the power of Mahler

When Leonard Bernstein was asked to choose music for the funeral of Robert Kennedy, he chose a movement from Mahler's Symphony No. 5. The piece clearly meant a lot to Bernstein, and when he died in 1990, he was buried with a copy of the score laid across his chest. On Thursday's Performance Today, hear the New York Philharmonic play "Adagietto" from Mahler's Symphony No. 5, with Leonard Bernstein conducting.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Ottorino Respighi: The Birds Movement 2 The Dove
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Sir Neville Marriner, conductor
Respighi: The Birds
EMI 47844

Ottorino Respighi: Violin Sonata in B Minor
Paul Huang, violin; Orion Weiss, piano
Music@Menlo, The Center for Performing Arts at Menlo-Atherton, Atherton, CA

Elmer Bernstein (arr. Patrick Russ): To Kill a Mockingbird: Main Title
Desirae and Deondra Brown, piano
University of Georgia, Hodgson Concert Hall, Athens, GA

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5: Movement 4 Adagietto
New York Philharmonic; Leonard Bernstein, conductor
Barber's Adagio - Romantic Favorites - Bernstein
Sony 38484

Hour 2

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 12: Movement 3
Frank Huang, violin; Rohan De Silva, piano
Live from the 2002 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis
Arabesque Records Z6816

Ricardo Lorenz: Dance Unlikely Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (Baile Improbable)
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra; Andres Cardenes, concert master & director
River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, St. John the Divine Church, Houston, TX

Ludwig van Beethoven: Romance for Violin No 2 in F major, Op. 50
Simone Porter, violin; Meng-Chieh Liu, piano
Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio, St. Paul, MN

Enoch Sontonga/John Stafford Smith: Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika & "Star-Spangled Banner"
Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

Mxolisi Matyila (arr. Mzilikazi Khumalo): Bawo Thixo Somandla
Minnesota Chorale; Gauteng Choristers; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

Stompie Mavi (arr. Gobingca George, orch. Jaako Kuusisto): Usilethela uxolo (Nelson Mandela)
Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Gauteng Choristers; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

Traditional: Shosholoza (encore)
Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Gauteng Choristers; Osmo Vanska, conductor
Regina Mundi Roman Catholic Church, Soweto, South Africa

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

Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Pianist Imogen Cooper loves how Franz Schubert's music can shift from moment to moment. She says, “It's as if he takes you by the shoulders, swings you around, and says, 'That was then, this is now.'" Tune in today to hear Cooper's interpretation of Schubert's Impromptus at a recent concert presented by the Frederic Chopin Society in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1:59:00
Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

In 2006, composer Missy Mazzoli wrote a piece dedicated to her father, who served in the Vietnam War. The music explores the connection between her father’s war memories and a poem by James Tate. Today’s show takes us to a recent concert in Switzerland to hear “These Worlds in Us” by Missy Mazzoli.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

1:59:00
Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin is one of the most celebrated and respected pianists of our time. His performances are renowned for their brilliance, technical mastery, and deep musicality. In today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Toronto to hear Hamelin perform from Nikolai Medtner's 'Forgotten Melodies.'

1:59:00
Simone Dinnerstein

Simone Dinnerstein

Philip Glass's "Mad Rush" often divides listeners—is it meditative or merely repetitive? Pianist Simone Dinnerstein finds it an amazing piece that keeps her grounded in the present moment. Today’s show features her compelling performance from a recent concert at Spivey Hall, located just outside Atlanta in Morrow, Georgia.

1:59:00
A notable recovery

A notable recovery

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern.

1:59:00
Just Another Climb

Just Another Climb

In 1939, four women climbers reached the summit of Wyoming’s Grand Teton at dawn, racing to be the first and to counter skepticism about their unassisted ascent. Newspapers at the time called it the first "manless" ascent of the mountain. In response, one of the women said, “To us it was just another climb.” Today's show will feature both the story and the music: "Just Another Climb" by Kimberly Osberg.

1:59:00
Nathalie Stutzmann and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Nathalie Stutzmann and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Three hundred years ago, Johann Sebastian Bach began his role as the music director at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, a position for which he was only the third choice. To impress his uncertain employers, Bach composed ambitious new cantatas every week during his first few years, including the one we will hear today: the Sinfonia from J.S. Bach's Cantata No. 42, from a concert featuring conductor Nathalie Stutzmann and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto

PT Weekend: Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto

Jazz guitarist Charlie Christian was at his peak in the late 1930s and early 40s. To this day, guitarists are inspired by his recordings, and composer Igor Stravinsky said Charlie Christian helped inspire one of his pieces. We'll hear that piece, Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto, on today's show.

1:59:00
Marin Alsop on an American icon

Marin Alsop on an American icon

When conductor Marin Alsop was a kid, she begged her parents to decorate her bedroom. She says, "I talked them into buying me two posters: one of the Beatles and one of Leonard Bernstein." Join us today to hear some of Marin Alsop's memories of Bernstein and more as we celebrate Independence Day with all-American music.

1:59:00
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