Poster concert pianist
Pianist Angie Zhang
Courtesy of the artist
Performance Today®

Angie Zhang

Every four years, the American Pianists Association holds a competition for emerging classical pianists. Angie Zhang is one of five finalists for the 2025 awards—we'll hear her play music by Enrique Granados on today's show.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Reena Esmail: Varsha (Rain)
Claire Bryant, cello
Album: Whole Heart
Bright Shiny Things 178

Kaija Saariaho: Aile du Songe Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
Lorna McGhee, flute | Minnesota Orchestra | Osmo Vanska, conductor
Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN

Piano Puzzler
Eric Ebbenga from New York City, NY

Reena Esmail: The Light is the Same
Imani Winds
University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, Athens, GA

Hour 2

Duke Ellington: Black Beauty
Elmira Darvarova, violin | Howard Wall, horn
Album: Music from Five Centuries
Affetto Recordings 1902

Alma Mahler: In Meines Vaters Garten
Elise Caluwaerts, soprano | Marianna Shirinyan, piano
Album: Alma - Meine Seele. Complete Songs of Alma Mahler
Fuga Libera 796

Enrique Granados: Goyescas, Op. 11: Movement 1 Los requiebros
Angie Zhang, piano
American Pianists Awards 2025 Sneak Preview, Steinway Hall, NY

Grazyna Bacewicz: Piano Quintet No. 1 Movement 1 Moderato molto espressivo
David Fung, piano | Verona Quartet
Lillian & Robert Utsey Chamber Music Series 36th Season, Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Duke Ellington: Cotton Club Stomp (encore)
Verona Quartet
Lillian & Robert Utsey Chamber Music Series 36th Season, Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University, Clemson, SC

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Hosted by Valerie Kahler, 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.

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