Poster Woman posing with violin
Violinist Bella Hristova
Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
Performance Today®

Music from the heart

Violinist Bella Hristova and composer David Ludwig were married in 2015. In the months leading up to the wedding, Ludwig wrote a piece for Hristova—not a 2-minute bon-bon for the reception, but a full concerto for solo violin and orchestra. On today's episode, we'll hear Bella Hristova play Ludwig's concerto with JoAnn Falletta conducting the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Igor Stravinsky: Duo Concertante: Movement 4 Gigue
Jennifer Frautschi, violin | Marta Aznavoorian, piano
Album: Stravinsky, Ravel, Jennifer Frautschi, Marta Aznavoorian
Artek 00062

Jean Sibelius: The Swan of Tuonela, No. 2 from Legends, Op. 22
Tamara Winston, English horn | The Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
The Nashville Symphony, The Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN

Franz Schubert: String Trio in B-flat Major D 581
Jennifer Frautschi, violin | Paul Neubauer, viola | Edward Arron, cello
String Theory @HOME (virtual event), Online

Valerie Coleman: Umoja Anthem of Unity for Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra | Osmo Vanska, conductor
Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN

Hour 2

Charles Auguste de Beriot: Scenes or Caprices, Op. 109 No. 1: La Separation
Bella Hristova, violin
Album: Charles-Auguste de Beriot: Solo Violin Music, Vol. 1
Naxos 572267

Reena Esmail: Saans
Benjamin Beilman, violin | Paul Wiancko, cello | Pedja Muzijevic, piano
Spoleto Festival USA Chamber Music Series, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC

Gustav Mahler: Piano Quartet in A minor: Movement 1 Zicht zu schnell
Susie Park, violin | Rebecca Young, viola | Brandon Vamos, cello | John Novacek, piano
Music in the Vineyards Festival, Silverado Vineyards, Napa, CA

David Ludwig: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Bella Hristova, violin | Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra | JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY

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

PT Weekend: Nikolai Kapustin

PT Weekend: Nikolai Kapustin

Nikolai Kapustin’s compositions are full of joyful syncopations, and some listeners called him a jazz pianist. But, Kapustin emphasized that he was a classically trained composer who just happened to love jazz. We’ll hear Kapustin’s music at the intersection of classical and jazz on today’s show.

1:59:00
Maria Dueñas

Maria Dueñas

Violinist Maria Dueñas is a university student, but she already has a global following and is selling out concert halls worldwide. Gustavo Dudamel says: "She has the magic... an artistic soul. She is fire." We’ll hear Maria Dueñas play a concerto by Max Bruch on today’s show.

1:59:00
The Aznavoorian Duo

The Aznavoorian Duo

The Aznavoorian sisters gave their first concert at a local church when cellist Ani was four and pianist Marta was eight. Ani and Marta have each grown up to have successful careers, and now, they're sharing a stage again. Join us to hear sisters Ani and Marta Aznavoorian play at a concert presented by the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida.

1:59:00
The intersection of classical and jazz

The intersection of classical and jazz

Nikolai Kapustin’s compositions are full of joyful syncopations, and some listeners called him a jazz pianist. But, Kapustin emphasized that he was a classically trained composer who just happened to love jazz. We’ll hear Kapustin’s music at the intersection of classical and jazz on today’s show.

1:59:00
Michael Abels: Winged Creatures

Michael Abels: Winged Creatures

Composer Michael Abels wrote a piece specifically for brothers Anthony and Demarre McGill. It's cooperative and competitive, as well as delicate and powerful at the same time. On today's show, hear the McGill brothers perform Winged Creatures by Michael Abels.

1:59:00
Ruth Gipps: Symphony No. 2

Ruth Gipps: Symphony No. 2

On today's show, hear a piece that conductor Jessica Horsley describes as "...the sort of music that just makes everything alright in the world. It heals all wounds…" It’s the Symphony No. 2 by Ruth Gipps.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Richard Danielpour

PT Weekend: Richard Danielpour

Dante's Divine Comedy takes us through hell, purgatory, and paradise. Composer Richard Danielpour says he sees a metaphor for the recent pandemic in that, and he wrote a new symphony reflecting on those themes. The ensemble ROCO plays Danielpour's Triptych on this weekend's episode of Performance Today.

1:59:00
El Dia de los Muertos

El Dia de los Muertos

El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a time to joyfully remember family and friends who've passed away. Because death is always present, life is worth living to the fullest. Today, we’re celebrating life... on the Day of the Dead.

1:59:00
Alim Beisembayev

Alim Beisembayev

Winning a music competition often means winning cash prizes and publicity galore. Pianist Alim Beisembayev also won the chance to perform the world premiere of a new piece. He'll play a brand piano concerto by Eleanor Alberga on today's show.

1:59:00
The Piano Puzzler

The Piano Puzzler

Every week on our Piano Puzzler, composer Bruce Adolphe re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. One of our listeners calls in and tries to guess the tune and the composer whose style Bruce is mimicking. Tune in and play along with our weekly musical game: the Piano Puzzler.

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®