Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
Performance Today

Performance Today®

A musical conversation with rudolf buchbinder

A musical conversation with rudolf buchbinder

After we hear William Walton's musical evocation of this etching by Thomas Rowlandson, Fred Child sits down in our Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Music Studio for a chat with pianist Rudolf Buchbinder. He's a lover of the live experience: Almost all of his recordings are from concerts. But he'll break with form by playing Schubert and Johann Strauss in the studio. Then we'll go to Amsterdam to hear him perform music from Brahms' Second Piano Concerto.

The Best in the World

The Best in the World

Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was recently ranked as the top orchestra in the world. And their home, the Concertgebouw, is widely regarded as the best concert hall in the world. Add to that mix conductor Mariss Jansons, whom some have called the best conductor in the world, and you've got an unbeatable combination. Today we'll hear the Royal Concertgebouw with Mariss Jansons at the Concertgebouw, playing Schubert's Symphony No. 3.

a mozart doubleheader

a mozart doubleheader

We'll have a Mozart symphony in each hour of today's show. In the first, we'll go to Amsterdam to hear Nikolaus Harnoncourt lead the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in a stirring rendition of the "Haffner" Symphony. And, in our second hour, Hans Graf conducts the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Mozart's 25th Symphony in St. Paul.

A full house of Strauss

A full house of Strauss

The only way to get five of a kind in poker is to cheat. Today, we'll feature five different works by the Waltz King, Johann Strauss, Jr. Plus a suite from "Der Rosenkavalier," by Richard Strauss. No cheating, we swear. We've laid all our cards on the table, and they add up to one great New Year's Day show.

A Special New Year's Eve

A Special New Year's Eve

Does wine taste better when you're listening to classical music? A study by a Scottish scientist argued that it does. We decided to put this theory to the test in a special broadcast, a Performance Today music listening and wine tasting party. Jason Kallsen, founder and owner of Twin Cities Wine Education, provided some wine recommendations to accompany our playlist.

The year that was

The year that was

Today, we'll take a look at some of the big events in classical music in 2008. We'll also feature some of the performers who had a particularly good year in 2008, including conductor Gustavo Dudamel, pianist Lang Lang, violinists Gil Shaham and Leila Josefowicz, and the Beaux Arts Trio.

The Best in the World

The Best in the World

Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was recently ranked as the top orchestra in the world. And their home, the Concertgebouw, is widely regarded as the best concert hall in the world. Add to that mix conductor Mariss Jansons, whom some have called the best conductor in the world, and you've got an unbeatable combination. Today we'll hear the Royal Concertgebouw with Mariss Jansons at the Concertgebouw, playing Schubert's Symphony No. 3.

Celebrating the Season

Celebrating the Season

Michael Praetorius: "Dances from Terpsichore," from "Christmas Vespers" Apollo's Fire with conductor Jeannette Sorrell

Cracking the Code

Cracking the Code

There are lots of great encoded mysteries in the world. Some of them, like Egyptian hieroglyphics, have been solved. Unfortunately, there's no Rosetta Stone to help decipher Edward Elgar's "Enigma Variations," but there are some interesting theories about them. Tune in today for a performance of the "Enigma Variations" by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Like a box of fine chocolates, today's show features a rich assortment of the sweet and the tart, the smooth and the chewy. Sink your teeth into today's show, and you'll hear holiday music from all over the world. We'll feature music from different cultures - some serious, some fun, all delightful. Merry Christmas from all of us at Performance Today!

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.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

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
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00