Performance Today®

Before Irish flutist James Galway became an international star as a soloist, he held one of the most prestigious orchestral chairs in Europe. He was solo flutist with the Berlin Philharmonic. But it almost didn't happen. Galway won the position, but didn't like the way the audition was handled, so he initially turned it down. Today, we'll hear James Galway in two movements from a Mozart flute concerto, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Conductor Daniel Barenboim formed the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra with young musicians from several Middle Eastern countries. The group performed an historic concert in the Palestinian city of Ramallah on the West Bank, and we'll go there to hear performances of a Mozart Sinfonia Concertante and some of Sir Edward Elgar's "Enigma" Variations.

In 1927, Italian composer Ottorino Respighi wrote a suite of musical portraits. Not of kings or queens, mythological or historical figures. It was a suite of bird music, including portraits of the hen, the dove, the nightingale, and the cuckoo (pictured). As you enjoy the spring bird migration outside your window, you can listen to these charming settings of their music, performed by the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and conductor Nicholas McGegan.

Mozart loved to hang out at the kegelstatt, or bowling alley. The story goes that he got the idea for a piece of music while bowling. And the "Kegelstatt" trio was born. Turns out, modern scholars don't think the story was true, but the name has stuck. Today, we'll hear the "Kegelstatt" trio performed by the Prima Trio in Palm Beach, Florida.

Bach's 324th birthday was two days ago, and we'll celebrate with music by Bach and music inspired by Bach. Almost every composer owes something to Bach's great legacy. Robert Schumann paid homage with a fugue based on the letters in Bach's name. Heitor Villa-Lobos wrote music that combined Brazilian folk melodies with Bach. Leonard Bernstein took a decidedly American approach, combining Bach with jazz. It's all on Monday's Performance Today.

Cecile Chaminade: "Danse Paienne," Op. 158 Pianists Bengt Forsberg and Peter Jablonski

Today marks the vernal equinox, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. We'll hear what spring sounds like to composers Vivaldi, Piazzolla, Debussy, and Schubert. Plus, we'll hear music about flowers, frogs, and California's Santa Ana Winds. Experience springtime and the joy of being reborn, on today's PT.

The 1943 premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams' fifth symphony had to be held in the afternoon, because German bombs often fell at night. The symphony represents the search for tranquility, peace, and happiness. It was an immediate favorite at its premiere, and has been ever since. On today's show, we'll hear a performance of the fifth symphony by the Swedish Radio Symphony and conductor Daniel Harding.

The second hour of today's show features some especially heavenly music. We'll hear music inspired by the earth, the moon, and two of the planets - Mercury and Jupiter. And we'll finish with a performance by the Borealis Wind Quintet, named in honor of the aurora borealis - those ghostly, shimmery colored lights in the northern sky.

We're celebrating St. Patrick's Day today. We'll hear musicians from Ireland, like James Galway and Camerata Ireland. We'll hear music from Ireland, Bryn Terfel singing Danny Boy, and Irish tunes from the baroque to the modern. And some music inspired by Ireland, an American concerto for violin with Irish roots, by Mark O'Connor.