Twists on the Nutcracker

Inspired by the buzzy resonance of the ennanga (African trough zither), William Grant Still incorporated the spirit of Central and East African folk music into a Western chamber setting. Still drew on the instrument’s unique character as inspiration for this piece for harp, piano, and strings. Join us today to hear harpist Lily Primus lead Rice University’s Shepherd School Chamber Players in a concert performance of William Grant Still’s ‘Ennanga.’

There's an old Yiddish song called 'Arum Dem Fayer.' It's about the joy of gathering around a fire to sing and dance, and, even if the fire goes out, the stars will be there for light. Composer Osvaldo Golijov used that tune in a new piece he wrote in memory of a friend who loved to sing. We'll hear the ensemble A Far Cry play Golijov's 'Arum Dem Fayer' on today's show.

Composer Toru Takemitsu says, "My music is something like a signal sent to the unknown. I imagine and believe that my signal meets another's and the resulting physical change creates a new harmony." We'll hear Takemitsu's Night Signal featuring the brass section of the Minnesota Orchestra on this episode of Performance Today.

She creates vibrant soundscapes that address important contemporary issues. On a visceral level, her music excites and captivates listeners. As an educator, she's committed to giving back by sharing her passion with the next generation of composers. On today's show, Valerie Kahler speaks with Gabriela Ortiz—our 2026 PT Classical Woman of the Year!

Lost for 182 years and wrongly attributed to her brother Felix, Fanny Mendelssohn’s Easter Sonata was finally recognized as her own in 2010. Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason highlights the work’s hymn-like textures as signatures of Fanny’s distinctive musical voice. On today’s show, Kanneh-Mason performs this long-hidden masterpiece at a concert at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center in Athens.

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.

American composer Derrick Skye considers his music 'transcultural,' where different cultural traditions blend into entirely new artistic forms. Drawing from his West African, Native American, and European roots, Skye believes that if he can harmonize disparate cultures within a score, maybe society can do the same. Join us for a Basel Sinfonietta performance of Derrick Skye's 'Prisms, Cycles, Leaps.'

Today, we'll hear two Chopin Competition Gold Medalists… at the same time. Yulianna Avdeeva and Garrick Ohlsson shared the stage at the 2025 International Chopin Competition to perform Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos, a musical pastiche of Mozart, French songs, and jazz.

She creates vibrant soundscapes that address important contemporary issues. On a visceral level, her music excites and captivates listeners. As an educator, she's committed to giving back by sharing her passion with the next generation of composers. On today's show, Valerie Kahler speaks with Gabriela Ortiz—our 2026 PT Classical Woman of the Year!

‘Performance Today’ has selected performer and composer Gabriela Ortiz as the 2026 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!