Poster Ann Hobson Pilot
Harpist Ann Hobson Pilot
Photo: Michael Lutch
Performance Today®

Ann Hobson Pilot

Ann Hobson Pilot came from a family of pianists, and saw the harp as an opportunity to forge her own musical path. She became a trailblazer in the classical world, with a list of accomplishments that makes one wonder...what hasn't she achieved? On today's show, hear Ann Hobson Pilot's story, and a thrilling performance of the Harp Concerto by Alberto Ginastera.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Astor Piazzolla: Chiquillin de Bachin
Ann Hobson Pilot, harp
Album: Astor Piazzolla "Escualo"
Harmonia Mundi HMU 907627

Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
The Orchestra Now | James Bagwell, conductor
Bard College, Fisher Center for The Performing Arts, Annandale On-Hudson, NY

Piano Puzzler
This week’s contestant: Jessie J. Marshall from Tallahassee, FL

Alberto Ginastera: Harp Concerto, Op. 25
Ann Hobson Pilot, harp
English Chamber Orchestra | Isaiah Jackson, conductor
Album: Mathias: Harp Concerto - Ginastera: Harp Concerto
Koch

Hour 2

Caroline Shaw: Second Essay: Echo
Calidore String Quartet
Album: Babel
Signum Classics 650

Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18/4
Calidore String Quartet
Oriol Martorell Hall, L' Auditori, Barcelona, Spain

Ahmed Alabaca: Ascension
Robert Kruzik, clarinet
Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra | Jiri Petrdlik, conductor
Studio Recording

Rebecca Clarke: Dumka
Ellen dePasquale, violin
Toby Appel, viola
William Wolfram, piano
Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado Springs, CO

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Latest Performance Today® Episodes

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Latest Performance Today® Episodes

Music for a 'dearly beloved brother'

Music for a 'dearly beloved brother'

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote only one piece of keyboard music that was programmatic, meaning it tells a story. The 19-year-old Bach composed this piece for his older brother Johann Jakob when he left home to join the Swedish Army band as an oboist. On today's show, we'll hear Bach's musical description of the occasion: the Capriccio on the Departure of his most Dearly Beloved Brother.

1:59:00
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

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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
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About Performance Today®

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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.

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