Poster computer generated picture of a tree
Computer-generated tree (using fractals)
WikiMedia Commons
Performance Today®

Bringing fractals to live

Composer Jessie Montgomery found inspiration in nature's infinitely repeating patterns: fractals. Her fascination with these natural wonders led her to write a captivating new piece that brings fractals to life through sound. On today's show, we'll hear "Rounds" by Jessie Montgomery, a musical exploration of nature's boundless beauty.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Jennifer Margaret Barker: Na Tri Peathraichean: Gearr Aonach
Alice K. Dade, flute | John Novacek, piano
Album: Living Music
Naxos 559831

George Antheil: McKonkey's Ferry Overture
Lexington Symphony | Jonathan McPhee, conductor
Lexington Symphony, Cary Memorial Hall, Lexington, MA

Ofer Ben-Amots: Echoes of Wilderness, for woodwind quintet and percussion
Alice K. Dade, flute | Robert Walters, oboe | Jon Manasse, clarinet | Michael Kroth, bassoon | Michael Thornton, horn | Justin Doute, percussion
Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Packard Hall, Colorado Springs, CO

Joel Love: In Memoriam
Kenari Saxophone Quartetm
Beaches Fine Arts Jacksonville, Florida, St. Paul's By the Sea Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, FL

Hour 2

Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor - Movement 1: Allemanda
Bella Hristova, violin
Album: Bella Unaccompanied
A.W. Tonegold Records

Friedrich Wilhelm Kucken: Der Himmel hat eine Trane geweint, Op. 63
Sabine Meyer, clarinet | Fatma Said, soprano | Malcom Martineau, piano
EBU, Palace of Wartburg, Eisenach, Germany

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major
Bella Hristova, violin | Cong Wu, viola | Nicholas Canellakis, cello | Orion Weiss, piano
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, Bridgehampton, NY

Jessie Montgomery: Rounds for Piano and Strings
Awadagin Pratt, piano | Minnesota Orchestra | Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, MN

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

Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's Piano Concerto

Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's Piano Concerto

Publishing houses in Germany initially rejected Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto. When pianist Franz Liszt played through the piece with Grieg, Liszt warmly shook his hand and said, "You have the gift. Keep on composing. Don't let them intimidate you." Liszt’s advice changed Grieg's life; that piece has become one of the most famous pieces in classical music. On today's show, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes plays Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra in Switzerland.

1:59:00
Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninoff

Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninoff

Sure, it's a flashy showpiece for piano, but Kirill Gerstein says, "If you dig deeper, it's also a sincere expression straight from the heart." On today's show, hear Kirill Gerstein play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with conductor Hannu Lintu leading the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Martinu's room with a view

PT Weekend: Martinu's room with a view

Composer Bohuslav Martinu spent his childhood in a bell tower, where his father was the keeper. Looking back, he said he saw "everything in miniature, and above it all a great, boundless space... it is this space that I am forever seeking in my music." On today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Switzerland to hear Marinu's Cello Concerto No. 1.

1:59:00
Ravel's String Quartet

Ravel's String Quartet

French composer Maurice Ravel wrote so much wonderful music, but only once did he write a piece for two violins, viola, and cello. We don’t need to call it Quartet No. 1 by Ravel... it's the ONLY String Quartet by Ravel. Join us today—we'll take you to a concert in Portland, Oregon, to hear the Catalyst Quartet play the String Quartet by Maurice Ravel.

1:59:00
Jessie Montgomery: Peace

Jessie Montgomery: Peace

In the Spring of 2020, the pandemic was brand-new, isolating, and scary. American composer Jessie Montgomery wrote a short composition called Peace… and when Clarinetist Anthony McGill first heard it, he was moved to tears. On today's show, Anthony McGill and pianist Conrad Tao play music about coming to terms with sadness: Peace by Jessie Montgomery.

1:59:00
The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival

In many Asian cultures, a colorful festival marks the final day of Lunar New Year celebrations. People light lanterns, let go of the past and welcome new beginnings. On today’s show, we'll celebrate this time of reconciliation: the Lantern Festival.

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
Not to be overlooked

Not to be overlooked

Pianist Lara Downes's passion for sharing the music of underrepresented composers goes beyond performing onstage. She's also been hard at work making this previously overlooked music accessible for other musicians to play. On today's show, Lara Downes plays Harry T. Burleigh's "From the Southland" at a concert in Brevard, North Carolina.

1:59:00
Nominate the 2025 Classical Woman of the Year
PT Weekend: Vladimir Jurowski

PT Weekend: Vladimir Jurowski

Conductor Vladimir Jurowski was born and raised in the Soviet Union. He's now a citizen of Germany and an outspoken critic of Russia. He sees being political as a necessary part of an artist's life. We'll hear Vladimir Jurowski lead a concert with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra on today's show.

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