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Fred Child
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Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

Jessie Montgomery hosts PT with Fred Child

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Grammy-winning composer and violinist Jessie Montgomery is PT’s 2025 Classical Woman of the Year, and today she joins Fred Child as a special guest co-host. Tune in today to hear Montgomery share the music that has shaped her unique artistic voice. It's a special hour of music you won't want to miss.
Performance Today - August 15, 2025
1:59:00

Episodes

James Lee III

James Lee III

James Lee III is the composer of over 80 works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, piano, vocals, choral ensemble, and more. Lee is currently composer-in-residence with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In today's program, we'll take you to a concert in South Carolina* to hear Anthony McGill and the Pacifica Quartet play the Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet by James Lee III.

1:59:00
Respighi's Pines of Rome

Respighi's Pines of Rome

In 1924, Ottorino Respighi captured Rome's pine forests in a tone poem, complete with a recorded nightingale that still sings in performances today. Join us at a concert in Round Top, Texas, to hear Respighi’s musical postcard, The Pines of Rome.

1:59:00
Kevin Puts: Home

Kevin Puts: Home

For composer Kevin Puts, the key of C major is a sonic representation of "home." It's familiar and comforting. In 2019, Puts wrote a string quartet that begins with that familiar key, but goes on to what Puts calls "the search for new and unfamiliar harmonic terrain." He wanted the music to explore the sonic possibilities, but then return to his musical idea of home. Puts knew that, however he got there, the feeling of home would be changed by the journey. Join us today to hear the Miro Quartet play Home by Kevin Puts.

1:59:00
Young Artist in Residence: Samuel Frois

Young Artist in Residence: Samuel Frois

We’re proud to introduce violinist Samuel Frois, the next member of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Samuel recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. Listen to the music and the entire interview here.

37:49
Samuel Frois

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
PT Weekend: Gabriela Montero

PT Weekend: Gabriela Montero

In 2016, pianist and composer Gabriela Montero wrote a concerto reflecting how people perceive Latin America. She says it's not an overtly political piece, but it does express the light and dark sides of the subject. Today, we'll hear Gabriela Montero play her “Latin Concerto” with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Stockholm. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Lucas Debargue

Lucas Debargue

Pianist Lucas Debargue quit piano lessons in 2005 when he was 15 years old. As recently as 2015, he worked as a cashier at a supermarket. Then, he made an out-of-nowhere splash at the 2015 Tchaikovsky competition in Russia and has had a lively career ever since. Tune in today to hear Lukas Debargue play Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major at a concert in Stockholm, Sweden.

1:59:00
Music for a 'dearly beloved brother'

Music for a 'dearly beloved brother'

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote only one piece of keyboard music that was programmatic, meaning it tells a story. The 19-year-old Bach composed this piece for his older brother Johann Jakob when he left home to join the Swedish Army band as an oboist. On today's show, we'll hear Bach's musical description of the occasion: the Capriccio on the Departure of his most Dearly Beloved Brother.

1:59:00
Victor Ni

Victor Ni

We're pleased to present clarinetist Victor Ni, one of our next 2025 PT Young Artists in Residence. On today's program, Victor joins Fred Child for music and conversation in our Saint Paul studio.

1:59:00

Piano Puzzler

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Piano Puzzler

Play the Piano Puzzler® for August 20, 2025
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 8/13/2025
13:57
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 8/6/2025
8:34
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 7/30/2025
15:38
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 7/23/2025
9:59
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 7/16/2025
8:23
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 7/9/2025
7:34
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 7/2/2025
10:51
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 6/25/2025
7:35
Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 6/18/2025
11:15
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Young Artists

Young Artist in Residence: Samuel Frois

Young Artist in Residence: Samuel Frois

We’re proud to introduce violinist Samuel Frois, the next member of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Samuel recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. Listen to the music and the entire interview here.

37:49
Young Artist in Residence: Nina Bernat

Young Artist in Residence: Nina Bernat

We’re proud to introduce double-bassist Nina Bernat, the next member of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Nina recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can listen to Nina’s music and the entire interview here.

42:00
Young Artist in Residence: Emad Zolfaghari

Young Artist in Residence: Emad Zolfaghari

Emad Zolfaghari is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. He recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Emad’s music and the entire interview here.

43:21
Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Clarinetist Victor Ni is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Victor recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Victor’s music and the entire interview here.

42:34

More From Performance Today

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More From Performance Today

Classical Woman of the Year
Classical Critters

Classical Critters

Join PT for a 60-minute classical music romp inspired by animals.

59:00
Love It! Great New Albums
Performance Today in the Classroom
New York Out Loud

New York Out Loud

Explore the sounds of New York City with PT and host Fred Child.

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