Poster Parade in Philadelphia, 1918
Parade in Philadelphia, 1918
Mutter Museum, Philadelphia
Performance Today®

The 1918 flu pandemic

During the Influenza Pandemic of 1918, a third of the world's population was infected and tens of millions of people died. On today's show, we'll explore music connected to that 1918 pandemic, including works by composers who survived, and others who did not. Plus a fascinating 2019 work by David Lang that we can all relate to today.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Joaquin Turina: Circulo Op. 91 Movement 1 Amanecer (Dawn)
Lincoln Trio: Desiree Ruhstrat, violin; David Cunliffe, cello; Marta Aznavoorian, piano
Turina: Chamber Music For Strings And Piano
Cedille 1450

Jennifer Higdon: Piano Trio: Movement 1
Lincoln Trio: Desiree Ruhstrat, violin; David Cunliffe, cello; Marta Aznavoorian, piano
Notable Women
Cedille 126

Gaspar Sanz: Suite Espanola
Celino Romero, guitar
The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Ramsey Concert Hall, University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Athens, GA

Manuel Panella: El Gato Montes
Celino and Lito Romero, guitar
The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Ramsey Concert Hall, University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Athens, GA

Ottorino Respighi: Trittico Botticelliano, P. 151
Bellingham Festival Orchestra; Michael Palmer, conductor
The Bellingham Festival of Music, Western Washington University Concert Hall, Bellingham, WA

Hour 2

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude, Op. 23 No. 4 in D Major
Barry Douglas, piano
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18; 7 Preludes
RCA 61679

Igor Stravinsky: Suite from The Soldier's Tale
Corinne Stillwell, violin; Vanguel Tangarov, clarinet; Ekaterina Tangarova, piano
Victoria Bach Festival, Trinity Episcopal Church, Victoria, TX

Hubert Parry: An English Suite
English Symphony Orchestra; William Boughton, conductor
Finzi; Parry; Bridge
Nimbus 5366

David Lang: Protect Yourself March
The Crossing (choir); Donald Nally, conductor
Spit Spreads Death (exhibit), Mutter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, PA

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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.

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