Performance

June 19th, or Juneteenth, is the longest running celebration of the end of slavery. For many Americans, it's a day of reflection on freedom, resilience and strength. Join us for music to celebrate Juneteenth on this episode of Performance Today.

Two decades after he wrote his Negro Folk Symphony, composer William Dawson traveled to West Africa. Based on what he heard there, he revised his music to convey “...the missing elements that were lost when Africans came into bondage outside their homeland." On today's show, hear Dawson's Negro Folk Symphony played by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with conductor Neeme Jarvi.

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the history, resilience, and joy of the LGBTQIA community. On today's show, we celebrate Pride with a special hour highlighting queer people in classical music, with songs of activism and remembrance, community and identity.

Ann Hobson Pilot came from a family of pianists, and saw the harp as an opportunity to forge her own musical path. She became a trailblazer in the classical world, with a list of accomplishments that makes one wonder...what hasn't she achieved? On today's show, hear Ann Hobson Pilot's story, and a thrilling performance of the Harp Concerto by Alberto Ginastera.

When composer Reena Esmail was a student at Yale, she became close friends with the one other woman in her program, Suzana Bartal. When Suzana got married, Esmail flew to France for the wedding and brought along a special gift. On today's show, hear the story and the gift: "Saans" by Reena Esmail.

When Hassan Anderson was in high school, he played the school's "loaner" oboe. His mother felt strongly that he was too talented to be playing on a cheap oboe, so she made a big sacrifice; she sold her car to buy his first professional oboe. On today's show, hear Hassan Anderson and pianist Eliran Avni play music by Thomas Dorsey, from a concert in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For more than 20 consecutive years now, students from top schools of music around the country have joined us as PT Young Artists in Residence. On this episode of Performance Today, we continue this year's series with cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

On today's show, join us for highlights from the Gateways Music Festival, a festival devoted to classical musicians of African descent. Learn about Artistic Director Lee Koonce in his own words, and hear the Gateways Festival Orchestra perform the Symphony No. 3 by Florence Price.

We're proud to introduce you to our next 2021 PT Young Artist in Residence: cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins. Annie recently joined us from the New England Conservatory of Music. Touch or click here for more info, conversation, and music!

For more than 20 consecutive years now, students from top schools of music around the country have joined us as PT Young Artists in Residence. On this episode of Performance Today, we continue this year's series with cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins.