Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
Performance Today

Performance Today®

Beethoven's Archduke

Beethoven's Archduke

It's not easy to be co-leaders, but pianists Richard Goode and Mitsuko Uchida find a way to make it work at the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont. This hour we'll get to experience the results the beautiful colaborations at Marlboro as Mitsuko Uchida gets together with violinist Soovin Kim and cellist David Soyer in Beethoven's Archduke Trio.

Elgar in London Town

Elgar in London Town

We'll go to London's Royal Albert Hall to hear a perfect piece for the BBC Proms. Edward Elgar's celebration of an ideal London--without care, without want, and without restrictions--the Cockaigne Overture. Charles Mackerras leads the BBC Philharmonic.

Mountain Music

Mountain Music

While he was composing it, the working title for one of Aaron Copland's most beloved works was simply, "Ballet for Martha." Martha was Martha Graham, and just before it premiered, the ballet got its name, "Appalachian Spring." We'll hear music from "Appalachian Spring" on today's show, courtesy of the Marlboro Music School and Festival in the southern hills of Vermont.

Bach with 'Zing'

Bach with 'Zing'

Conductor John Eliot Gardiner says there's one Bach motet that has a special "zing.""Sing to the Lord a New Song," or in German: "Singet dem Herrn," with a "zzz" sound in the word "Singet." Gardiner talks about the visceral fun for singers of that "zzz," which creates an almost percussive effect in the music. And we'll hear Gardiner conduct his Monteverdi Choir in concert two weeks ago at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Bach's motet "Singet dem Herrn," from the 2009 BBC Proms.

Our week at Marlboro begins

Our week at Marlboro begins

The gentlemanly American pianist Richard Goode has never cared for the hype and hyperbole of the music business. Which is one of several reasons he's perfectly suited to his role as co-artistic director of Marlboro Music, the unique artistic retreat in the hills of Vermont. Richard Goode joins us to talk about the value of time and silence at Marlboro, a place that cultivates musical depth over sheer virtuosity. And we'll hear Richard Goode team up with two Marlboro friends for a ravishing performance of the Brahms Horn Trio.

Dances from Hell's Kitchen

Dances from Hell's Kitchen

Leonard Bernstein was a brash young New Yorker when he wrote the music for "West Side Story," mixing classical with jazz and Latin American rhythms. We'll hear a group of brash young *21st century* New Yorkers playing the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, founded by 28 year-old conductor Alondra de la Parra. Their concert was this spring at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Music in opposition to Putin

Music in opposition to Putin

Every Friday, Performance Today features 21st century music. This week, the Symphony No. 4 by Arvo Part, dedicated to a man currently imprisoned in Siberia, a political opponent of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Part says "With my composition, I would like to reach out my hand...to the prisoner, and...to all those imprisoned without rights in Russia." Cem Monsur conducts the Helsinki Philharmonic, in concert in Helsinki.

Dances from Hell's Kitchen

Dances from Hell's Kitchen

Leonard Bernstein was a brash young New Yorker when he wrote the music for "West Side Story," mixing classical with jazz and Latin American rhythms. We'll hear a group of brash young *21st century* New Yorkers playing the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story: The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, founded by 28 year-old conductor Alondra de la Parra. Their concert was this spring at Lincoln Center in New York City.

A New Piano Puzzler

A New Piano Puzzler

This week's Piano Puzzler is on today's show. Composer Bruce Adolphe takes a familiar tune and re-writes it in the style of a great classical composer. A PT listener calls in, tries to guess the hidden tune, and the composer whose style Bruce is imitating. This week, a listener from Lawton, Oklahoma plays his piano right back at Bruce, over the phone!

Newly Discovered Works by Mozart

Newly Discovered Works by Mozart

They were there the whole time -- two newly-discovered works by the boy Mozart. Theya€™re in his fathera€™s handwriting, so they were ignored for years. But now that someone actually *looked* at them, ita€™s clear theya€™re not in the pedantic style of Mozarta€™s father, theya€™re the work of a much more adventurous mind. Wea€™ll hear the unveiling of these two newly discovered pieces by Mozart, from a concert (that was also a news conference) in Salzburg on Sunday.

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.

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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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