Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
Performance Today

Performance Today®

Performance Today - September 1, 2025

Music@Menlo looks to the future

Music@Menlo looks to the future

On today's program, pianists Wu Han and Hyeyeon Park share the piano bench in a program that represents the future of the Music@Menlo Festival. Hear this special performance and learn how a carefully planned leadership transition is ensuring the festival's continued success.

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PT Weekend: Osvaldo Golijov

PT Weekend: Osvaldo Golijov

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.

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Strings for Peace

Strings for Peace

Sharon Isbin is a master of Western classical music. Amjad Ali Khan is a master of Indian classical music. Together, they're building musical and cultural bridges. Join us at a concert in Aspen for a highlight from Sharon Isbin's and Amjad Ali Khan's Strings for Peace project.

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Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras

Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras

Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras describes J.S. Bach's solo cello suites as a "burst of life." To Queyras, these suites transcend any particular time or place; they feel like a metaphysical connection between earth and heaven. Tune in today to hear Jean-Guihen Queyras play J.S. Bach's Cello Suite No. 2 at a recent concert in Girona, Spain.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

About Performance Today®

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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.

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Your Host

Since 2000, Fred Child has been the host of Performance Today, the most-listened-to classical music radio show in America. He also is the commentator and announcer for Live From Lincoln Center, the only live performing arts series on television. He also hosts musical events on stages around the country, working with major orchestras and festivals, and connecting with audiences coast to coast.

Fred Child

Your Host

Kathryn Slusher is the senior producer of Performance Today, where she leads programming and production for the show. In her spare time, she enjoys the vibrant Twin Cities music and theater scene, and loves to read, hike and spend time with her family.

Your Host

As a Producer for Performance Today, Meghann chooses music to broadcast on the show, writes web articles and scripts, facilitates, conducts and edits interviews, creates video content and manages PT’s social media pages. She created Performance Today’s Black History Spotlight Series and the My Name is Series to highlight Black classical musicians. Meghann is also the producer for the PT Young Artist in Residence Series. In her free time, she is a mom, a part-time actress and fashion lover. Meghann also created and hosted “Wondrous Strange”, a national radio program about uncommon musical instruments, she is the official underwriting voice for ‘The New York Times’ The Daily, and she can occasionally be heard guest-hosting Performance Today.

Meghann Oglesby

Your Host

As an Associate Producer for Performance Today, Kathleen Bradbury writes scripts and assists with external communications. In her spare time, she likes to read fiction, lift heavy weights at the gym, and frolic about in nature. But above all else, Kathleen loves to sing Broadway showtunes--much to the delight of her wife, her infant son, and her rescue dog.

Kathleen Bradbury

Your Host

Jon Gohman is an associate producer for Performance Today. He is responsible for various behind-the-scenes functions, including liaising with artists and creating materials for national distribution. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, playing the guitar, and thinking about Langrange points.

Your Host

Craig Thorson is the Technical Director for Performance Today. In addition to mastering the live music recordings that are programmed for each daily program, he records guest performances and interviews. Craig enjoys skiing, tennis, and bicycling, and boating.

Craig Thorson

Your Host

Jeanne Barron is the technical producer of Performance Today.

Jeanne Barron
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