Since their Proms debut in London last summer, Gustavo Dudamel and Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra have been the talk of the classical music world. There's so much fire, technical skill and interpretive flair in their performances that it's hard to believe that they're a youth orchestra. Hear what the buzz is about when they perform one of Beethoven's most emotion-packed symphonies in Boston.
If you love the sound of a solo violin, then this is the week for you to listen to PT. All week, we'll be presenting recent concert performances of great violin concertos, starting with one by the legendary virtuoso and showman, Niccolo Paganini. At a concert in Hamburg, Germany, Hungarian violinist Kristof Barati offers a fiery interpretation of Paganini's Second with Alexander Mickelthwate and the North German Radio Philharmonic.
Rachmaninoff was a pianist's pianist. And the pieces he composed can be spectacular showcases for a pianist's abilities. Among Rachmaninoff's four piano concertos, the second and third are heard fairly frequently. Far more rare is the fourth, but Stephen Hough tackles it at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
They don't hand out those MacArthur "genius grants" to just anyone. Pianist Stephen Hough is the rare recipient who's more interpreter than creator. But what interpretations they are. He pinch-hit for an ailing pianist on a Philadelphia Orchestra concert, and delivered a thrilling performance of this Rachmaninoff Rhapsody at the Kimmel Center.
The Prague Chamber Philharmonic crosses the border to perform one of the great violin concertos in Zilina, Slovakia. Handling the soloing duties is the talented 29-year-old Hungarian violinist, Barnabas Kelemen, who is currently playing one of the world's great violins, a 1742 Guarneri.
A long-lost gem from Haydn's pen was found in a Prague museum in 1961, and has been a staple of the repertoire for cello soloists ever since. Alban Gerhardt gives it a fiery performance at Los Angeles' Disney Hall, one that pulses with energy and excitement.
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2 Pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy
John Knowles Paine: Funeral March in Memory of President Lincoln, Op. 9 Pianist Denver Oldham
Georges Bizet: "La fleur que tu m'avais jetee" from "Carmen" Tenor Jonas Kaufmann with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Marco Armiliato
Ludwig van Beethoven: Third movement from Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93 The Minnesota Orchestra with conductor Osmo Vanska
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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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