Poster Portrait of a pianist and a piano
Pianist Ilya Shmukler
Courtesy of the artist
Performance Today®

Stravinsky's Petrushka - for solo piano

When a piece is well-written for orchestra, sometimes a piano version can feel slightly empty. Today, we’ll hear pianist Ilya Shmukler play one of those piano versions, but this one has a percussive pianistic quality that makes it lovable: Stravinsky's Petrushka for solo piano.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Muse
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello | Isata Kanneh-Mason, piano
Album: Muse
London/Decca 4851630

Aaron Copland: Two Pieces for String Quartet: Movement 1 Lento molto
Members of The Knights: Ariana Kim, violin | Alex Fortes, violin | Celia Hatton, viola | Caitlin Sullivan, cello
Skaneateles Festival, First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles, NY

Piano Puzzler
Contestant: Allison Toltz calling from Montreal, Canada

Edward Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello | Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra | Gabor Takacs-Nagy, conductor
EBU, Verbier Festival, Combins Hall, Verbier, Switzerland

Hour 2

Igor Stravinsky: Suite No. 1 for Small Orchestra
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Album: Shadow Dances
Deutsche Grammophon 453 458-2

Jessie Montgomery: Divided, for cello and orchestra
Tommy Mesa, cello | Greenwich Symphony Orchestra | Stuart Malina, conductor
Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center, Greenwich, CT

Igor Stravinsky: Three Movements from Petrushka
Ilya Shmukler, piano
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, TCU Van Cliburn Concert Hall, Fort Worth, TX

Benjamin Krause: Origin Stories (World Premier)
Helen Hwaya Kim, violin | Kenn Wagner, violin | Catherine Lynn, viola | Brad Ritchie, cello | Jesse McCandless, clarinet
Atlanta Chamber Players, First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

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

Osvaldo Golijov: Tenebrae

Osvaldo Golijov: Tenebrae

In 2000, composer Osvaldo Golijov experienced a wave of violence in Israel. Soon after, at a planetarium in New York, he saw an image of Earth from afar, our beautiful blue planet floating in apparent serenity. Tune in today for music inspired by contrasting perspectives and realities: Tenebrae, by Osvaldo Golijov.

1:59:00
Gabriella Smith: Children of the Fire

Gabriella Smith: Children of the Fire

Composer Gabriella Smith grew up hiking and backpacking. She finds joy and inspiration in climate action and nature, and her music reflects the perpetual groove of the world around us. Tune in today to hear Gabriella Smith's 'Children of the Fire,' from a concert in Charleston, South Carolina.

1:59:00
Lucas and Arthur Jussen

Lucas and Arthur Jussen

On today's show, Lucas and Arthur Jussen team up for a performance of Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. Tune in for a performance that showcases the unique language the Dutch brothers have developed over a lifetime of collaboration.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: George Walker

PT Weekend: George Walker

At 26, American composer George Walker wrote a piece in memory of his beloved grandmother. Walker had a long, successful career as a composer, but that piece remains his most performed work. On today’s show, we’ll hear ‘Lyric for Strings’ by George Walker, performed by the Ivalas Quartet at the Skaneateles Festival in upstate New York.

1:59:00
Dvorak's "New World" Symphony

Dvorak's "New World" Symphony

On today's show, we're highlighting Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World." Conductor Cristian Măcelaru explains how the composer's work captures an American soundscape while also beautifully reflecting his own Czech heritage. The result, Măcelaru says, is a powerful contribution from an immigrant artist to American culture.

1:59:00
Emad Zolfaghari

Emad Zolfaghari

For Emad Zolfaghari, a viola bow is more than just a tool. He says, "You have to play by feel... so I think bows are much more personal than instruments." On today's program, PT Young Artist in Residence violist Emad Zolfaghari shares his thoughts on bows, music, and life.

1:59:00
Dima Slobodeniouk

Dima Slobodeniouk

Finnish conductor Dima Slobodeniouk took a flight class on a whim when he got a coupon for a cheap lesson. He loved it. He is now a licensed pilot. Slobodeniouk sees a connection between his sky-high hobby and his career on the podium. He says, "It’s essential to control your instruments and your nerves, but you cannot control nature. Neither can, nor should, a conductor control everything.  You can only have control over your own knowledge and feelings." On today's show, Slobodeniouk and the Aspen Music Festival Orchestra perform music by Rachmaninoff at a concert in Colorado.

1:59:00
Bomsori Kim

Bomsori Kim

Bomsori Kim began taking piano lessons when she was five years old, but after seeing a violin concert, little Bomsori demanded an end to her piano lessons and a start on the violin. Thirty years later, she's a star. On today's show, we'll hear violinist Bomsori Kim play at a concert in Germany.

1:59:00
George Walker: Lyric for Strings

George Walker: Lyric for Strings

At 26, American composer George Walker wrote a piece in memory of his beloved grandmother. Walker had a long, successful career as a composer, but that piece remains his most performed work. On today’s show, we’ll hear ‘Lyric for Strings’ by George Walker, performed by the Ivalas Quartet at the Skaneateles Festival in upstate New York.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Samuel Frois

PT Weekend: Samuel Frois

It's time for our next 2025 Young Artist 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.

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