Jennifer Higdon: The Sound of Light

After 23 years, the Piano Puzzler is signing off. On today's show, Bruce Adolphe joins us one last time to talk with Fred and test our listeners' musical ears. Over the years, the Puzzler has challenged all of us to listen to music differently, while teaching us how composers express themselves in their own unique ways. Puzzler fans—look for the Piano Puzzler archive on our website in the coming days. Thanks again, Bruce!

Meet one of our 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence: violinist Samuel Frois. On today's show, Samuel joins Fred Child at our studio in Saint Paul to perform works by Brazilian composers Heitor Villa-Lobos and Andre Mehmari.

At age 84, pianist Martha Argerich says she's made peace with her role in the universe, stating: "I just play." On today's show, we'll hear Argerich give a captivating performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 at a concert in Lausanne, Switzerland.

After a performance with Wynton Marsalis in 2019, conductor Cristian Macelaru looked into the trumpeter's eyes and felt his emotion, saying, "It just felt like it was the most pure connection." Macelaru was more than impressed; he considers Wynton Marsalis one of the most important American composers of all time. On today’s show, we'll hear the world premiere performance of the Concerto for Orchestra by Wynton Marsalis.

Composer Jimmy Lopez says the pulse of techno music is instantly recognizable in any dance hall or club around the world —a steady, thumping rhythm that you feel in your body. Tune in today to hear the thrilling power of techno combined with world music: Fiesta! by Jimmy Lopez.

American composer Caroline Shaw is inspired by some of the piano music that Frederic Chopin wrote in the 1830s and 1840s. In 2012, Shaw wrote a piece for solo piano that quotes a Chopin mazurka while adding a personal twist. Tune in today to hear 'Gustave Le Gray' by Caroline Shaw, performed at a recent concert in Interlochen, Michigan.

How do musicians handle stage fright? Research indicates a connection between body language and increased self-confidence. Trumpet soloist Matilda Lloyd favors using the 'Superman pose' to boost her confidence before going on stage. Hear the results on today's episode; join us at a concert in Amsterdam to hear Matilda Lloyd and pianist Martin Cousin perform ‘Continuum’ by British composer Dani Howard.

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.

After a performance with Wynton Marsalis in 2019, conductor Cristian Macelaru looked into the trumpeter's eyes and felt his emotion, saying, "It just felt like it was the most pure connection." Macelaru was more than impressed; he considers Wynton Marsalis one of the most important American composers of all time. On today’s show, we'll hear the world premiere performance of the Concerto for Orchestra by Wynton Marsalis.

Antonín Dvořák's String Quartet No. 12 ("American Quartet") marked a significant departure from the European string quartet tradition, using pentatonic scales and birdsong to capture the essence of American nature and folk music. So, what might it sound like multiplied by four, with some extra bass thrown in? Tune in today to hear the ensemble A Far Cry perform an expanded arrangement of Dvořák's "American Quartet" at a concert in Rockport, Massachusetts.