Whatever the enigma is behind Sir Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations" - and we've had theories posited on "Performance Today" - it's still magnificent music, a grand showcase for an outstanding orchestra. Peter Oundjian will lead one, the Toronto Symphony, at a concert in Toronto.
Our weekly Piano Puzzler is on the way, as composer Bruce Adolphe takes up residence at the PT Piano. Bruce re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a classical composer. A Performance Today listener calls in, tries to name the hidden tune, and the composer whose style Bruce is mimicking.
Most people have never heard of Canadian composer Andre Mathieu. Mathieu was a rising star in the 1930s and 1940s. But he led a troubled life, dropped out of the music scene, and died in obscurity in 1968. Some call him the Canadian Mozart, although his style is closer to Rachmaninoff, who called Mathieu a genius. On today's show, Alain Lefevre performs Mathieu's fourth piano concerto with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
Today just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without some turkey. We'll serve up some "Turkey in the Straw" and other great American fiddle tunes, courtesy of Time for Three, in concert in Athens, Georgia. Plus, an all-American favorite, Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring," performed by the Cleveland Orchestra. And we wrap up our week of cello concertos with the Schumann, performed by Maria Kliegel and the RTE National Symphony in Dublin.
Our festival of cello concertos continues with the PT debut of 32 year-old English cellist Natalie Clein. Clein was the BBC's "Young Musician of the Year" as a 16 year old, and had lucrative contract offers from managers and record companies. She could have cashed in as the next young classical darling, but chose to pursue 10 years of rigorous schooling in London and Vienna. She's now re-emerging as a soloist. We'll hear Natalie Clein in concert in Dublin, playing Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra.
Cellist Alban Gerhardt was having one of those days. Right before a live radio broadcast, he broke a string on his cello. He made a quick exit from the stage to get another string, only to find the door locked. Then he ran back across the stage to a different door. He later observed in his blog that his mad dashing about must have looked cartoonish, like the roadrunner. We'll hear Gerhardt on a calmer day, performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a terrible composer. Or...so said a young rival of Bach's in the 1730s. Johann Scheibe wrote that Bach's compositions had a "bombastic and confused style" that "darkened their beauty." We'll compare, with a Bach Prelude and Fugue from the Aspen Festival, and a small symphony by Mr. Scheibe from the Schwetzingen Festival in Germany.
This year, for the first time in his career, the young Chinese pianist Lang Lang is playing chamber music. He joined violinist David Chan (concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and cellist Hai-Ye Ni (principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra) to play the Piano Trio by Tchaikovsky at Carnegie Hall in New York. Right before that concert, the trio joined Fred Child at the studios of WQXR in New York, to talk about the Tchaikovsky Trio, and to play the dramatic opening movement.
It's rare for the young Chinese pianist Lang Lang to play chamber music. But last month, he joined violinist David Chan (concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) and cellist Hai-Ye Ni (principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra) to play the Piano Trio by Tchaikovsky at Carnegie Hall in New York. Right before that concert, the trio joined Fred Child at the studios of WQXR in New York, to talk about the Tchaikovsky Trio, and to play the dramatic opening movement.
Every Thursday this month, Julie Amacher joins Fred to recommend a new classical CD. This week, Julie is in love with conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the under-25 players in the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. Plus, we'll meet Sammy, the tiny white fluffball of a dog who goes everywhere with American pianist Anne Marie McDermott.
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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jeanne Barron is the technical producer of Performance Today.
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