A tip of the cap to Beethoven

‘Performance Today’ has selected performer and composer Jessie Montgomery as the 2025 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the classical music art form and have inspired our listeners. Find out more!

Ana María Patiño-Osorio grew up on a small farm in Colombia. As a kid, she took her grandma's knitting needles, turned up Brahms, and dreamed of a future with herself on the podium. Now, Patiño-Osorio has a real baton in hand. On today’s show, Patiño-Osorio leads the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in a performance of José Moncayo’s “Huapango.”

As talented young kids, siblings Geneva Lewis and Nathan Lewis were part of a successful family trio. They’re all grown up now, each at the top of their careers, and they still find time to make music together. In today’s episode, Geneva and Nathan Lewis perform a duet by Edward Elgar at a concert in Athens, Georgia.

'Umoja' is a Swahili word meaning unity and maintaining connection to family and community. And Umoja takes on special meaning this time of year, as one of the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa. On today's show, we'll hear Valerie Coleman's "Umoja, Anthem of Unity."

'Umoja' is a Swahili word meaning unity and maintaining connection to family and community. And Umoja takes on special meaning this time of year, as one of the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa. On today's show, we'll hear Valerie Coleman's "Umoja, Anthem of Unity."

For Christmas Day, we're playing some of the best holiday music...you might even find yourself joining the chorus. Tune in for Christmas and holiday music from concerts around the world. Happy Holidays from all of us at Performance Today!

Take a moment to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the year, and celebrate the joys and blessings of the holiday season. Join us for peaceful and cozy music on Christmas Eve.

In the 1920s, Bates Burt started composing an annual Christmas carol for the family Christmas card. The tradition continued down the family line. 50-plus carols later, his great-granddaughter Abbie Burt Betinis created a medley out of some of the best. Tune in to hear ‘Three Generations of Burt Family Carols’ on today’s episode.

On today's show, we're featuring a special family collaboration. Pianist Yevgeny Sudbin and his daughter, Bella, perform together, playing Sudbin's arrangement of a popular holiday favorite for piano four hands.

As the season brings us the longest nights of the year, join us for music inspired by the stillness and splendor of winter. Find peace in the season's enveloping tranquility on today's show.