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.
All this week on Performance Today, we've been featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic and outgoing music director Esa-Pekka Salonen. Salonen gives up the podium at the end of this week. He's made a big impact on the orchestra and the city of Los Angeles in his 17-year tenure there. On today's show, Salonen leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in music by Sibelius and Mussorgsky.
Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen steps down from his post as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic this week. And today, we'll wrap up our week-long look at Salonen and his tenure at Los Angeles. On today's show, he leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," in concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (pictured).
According to conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, there are "no simple solutions" to playing Beethoven. No corners to cut, no easy way out of the dilemmas posed by his music. On today's show, Salonen, violinist Viktoria Mullova, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic do it the hard way, and the right way, in their performance of the Beethoven violin concerto.
All this week on Performance Today, we've been featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic and outgoing music director Esa-Pekka Salonen. Salonen gives up the podium at the end of this week. He's made a big impact on the orchestra and the city of Los Angeles in his 17-year tenure there. On today's show, Salonen leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in music by Jean Sibelius.
It was 250 years ago today that the great Baroque composer, George Frideric Handel, died. He was born a German, but lived and worked in England for most of his professional life. Much of the world is observing the day today, and celebrating the life and works of Handel. Today's show features some of his greatest music, from concerts all across the country.
When the Cleveland Orchestra performed Gustav Mahler's second symphony ("The Resurrection") in Vienna, it was by all accounts an incredible performance. When it was over, the audience erupted in a 13-minute ovation. One critic called it "a Resurrection for the ages." Tune in today to hear the spectacular finale of Mahler's second, from that magical night in Vienna.
On today's show, we'll feature special programming, in observance of Passover and celebration of Easter. Join us, and let us make your weekend special.
This time of year, the word "passion" takes on a special meaning. It's not about love or desire. It's about suffering and death. Today, in observance of Good Friday, we'll feature passion narratives by two very different composers: Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and Osvaldo Golijov's St. Mark Passion. They offer two very different takes on the same story, written three centuries apart.
Handel's great oratorio, "Messiah," is mostly thought of as a Christmas piece. But it was written for, and had its premiere in, the season of Easter. On today's show, we'll feature music from a performance of "Messiah" given just last week in Austin, Texas. Craig Hella Johnson leads the voices of Conspirare and the instrumentalists of the Victoria Bach Festival Baroque Band.
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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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