It was a hot day in Paris when the audience gathered for the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's new ballet, "The Rite of Spring." The crowd didn't know what they were in for, a monumental new work, one that would provoke outrage and change the course of music forever. Even the composer called it "a sacred terror in the noonday sun." On today's show, the Danish National Radio Symphony performs this groundbreaking work.
Rome is an ancient city, overflowing with the history and culture of the past 2500 years. Home of spectacular architectural and archeological sites, it's been the center of great music-making as well. Hour one of today's show focuses on the Eternal City, featuring the music of Ottorino Respighi and Josquin des Prez.
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 Cleveland Orchestra and conductor James Gaffigan.
Igor Stravinsky: Tango and "La Marseillaise" Violinist Mark Peskanov and pianist Doris Stevenson
Sunday is Mother's Day, and we're celebrating a few days early. Today's show features stories of motherhood and the classical music world. How violinist Leila Josefowicz manages life as both a globe-trotting soloist and a single parent, how pianist Simone Dinnerstein (pictured) found common ground in being pregnant and learning Bach's "Goldberg Variations." You'll hear great stories, and great performances, today on PT.
No pianist tackles the monumental third piano concerto of Sergei Rachmaninoff without a lot of thought, and perhaps a deep breath and even a prayer before walking out on stage. It's one of the most difficult works in the piano repertoire. Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos loves big challenges. On today's show, he'll climb the Mt. Everest of piano concertos, the infamous "Rach Three," accompanied by Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the Oslo Philharmonic.
Johannes Brahms, confirmed bachelor, had a motto for his life: free but happy. Not necessarily ecstatic, but contented. He wrote his third symphony as a reflection on his happily unmarried and unencumbered state. On today's show, Daniele Gatti leads the French National Symphony in a recent performance of Brahms' third in Paris.
Today is Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. We'll celebrate the day by featuring music of Mexican composers and performers. There's a lot of great classical music happening south of the border. Join us for a sampling, on Performance Today.
Australia is the land of kangaroos and didgeridoos. And cute, cuddly koalas (pictured). If you go there, expect to find great music as well. In hour one of today's show, we'll focus on music and musicians from down under, including the Melbourne Symphony, the Australia Ensemble, and Saffire: the Australian Guitar Quartet.
If you're a fan of the piano, you'll want to tune in to today's show, where the ivories will get a workout. We'll feature Stephen Hough playing Rachmaninoff with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Yundi Li going solo, playing a Chopin scherzo. And Jon Kimura Parker joins cellist Lynn Harrell for a Beethoven sonata.
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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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