Poster Composer Reena Esmail
Composer Reena Esmail
Photo: Rachel Garcia
Performance Today®

PT Weekend: Between two worlds

Indian-American composer Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music. In 2017, Esmail drew inspiration from the words of Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi poet: "Religions are many, but God is one. The lamps may be different, but the light is the same." On today's episode, we'll take you to a concert at the University of Georgia to hear the Imani Winds play Reena Esmail's 'The Light is the Same.'

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

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to Don Giovanni
Apollo's Fire | Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
Apollo's Fire, Severance Music Center, Mandel Concert Hall, Cleveland, OH

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

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

The 'exquisite' Michelle Cann

The 'exquisite' Michelle Cann

Pianist Michelle Cann made her orchestral debut at the age of fourteen and has since performed with numerous top-tier orchestras. Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, Cann is also a leading interpreter of Florence Price's music. On today's show, Michelle Cann joins Fred Child in our St. Paul studio, introducing listeners to the music of Irene Britton Smith and Hazel Scott.

1:59:00
Joana Mallwitz and the Berlin Philharmonic

Joana Mallwitz and the Berlin Philharmonic

Conductor Joana Mallwitz aims for new concert hall audiences to experience the orchestra's vibrant energy, feeling the floors tremble. In today’s program, we'll hear a result of Mallwitz’s enthusiasm as she leads the Berlin Philharmonic in Paul Hindemith’s “Symphony: Mathis der Maler.”

1:59:00
An enduring partnership

An enduring partnership

Jennifer Frautschi plays a violin made by Antonio Stradivarius in 1722. A foundation loaned the instrument to her with the understanding that they could ask for its return at any time. That was 24 years ago… and apparently, they're happy with what she's doing with their violin! We’ll hear Frautschi—and her ‘loaner’ instrument—perform music by Haydn on today’s program.

1:59:00
Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Pianist Imogen Cooper loves how Franz Schubert's music can shift from moment to moment. She says, “It's as if he takes you by the shoulders, swings you around, and says, 'That was then, this is now.'" Tune in today to hear Cooper's interpretation of Schubert's Impromptus at a recent concert presented by the Frederic Chopin Society in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1:59:00
Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

In 2006, composer Missy Mazzoli wrote a piece dedicated to her father, who served in the Vietnam War. The music explores the connection between her father’s war memories and a poem by James Tate. Today’s show takes us to a recent concert in Switzerland to hear “These Worlds in Us” by Missy Mazzoli.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

1:59:00
Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin is one of the most celebrated and respected pianists of our time. His performances are renowned for their brilliance, technical mastery, and deep musicality. In today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Toronto to hear Hamelin perform from Nikolai Medtner's 'Forgotten Melodies.'

1:59:00
Simone Dinnerstein

Simone Dinnerstein

Philip Glass's "Mad Rush" often divides listeners—is it meditative or merely repetitive? Pianist Simone Dinnerstein finds it an amazing piece that keeps her grounded in the present moment. Today’s show features her compelling performance from a recent concert at Spivey Hall, located just outside Atlanta in Morrow, Georgia.

1:59:00
A notable recovery

A notable recovery

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern.

1:59:00
Just Another Climb

Just Another Climb

In 1939, four women climbers reached the summit of Wyoming’s Grand Teton at dawn, racing to be the first and to counter skepticism about their unassisted ascent. Newspapers at the time called it the first "manless" ascent of the mountain. In response, one of the women said, “To us it was just another climb.” Today's show will feature both the story and the music: "Just Another Climb" by Kimberly Osberg.

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®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00