Performance Today®

Joachim Prinz was a tireless advocate for human rights, a man who confronted injustice and oppression wherever he saw it. He once said, "The most tragic problem is silence." On today's show, hear music inspired by the life and words of Joachim Prinz: I Will Not Remain Silent, by Bruce Adolphe.

Composer Richard Scofano wrote a 15 minute piece of music inspired by a hopeful vision of the future. On today's show, hear La Tierra sin Mal (The Land Without Evil) by Richard Scofano; a musical journey through struggle, determination, and finally, the discovery of peace and serenity.

Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly heard Roma bands when he was growing up, and later incorporated some of those tunes into his own music. On today's show, hear Kodaly's Dances of Galanta, from a recent concert in Stockholm, Sweden.

During the 1920s, Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu began to withdraw from the styles in which he was trained, and ballets became his favorite medium for experimentation. On today's show, hear ballet music set in an unusual setting: La Revue de Cuisine (Kitchen Revue) by Bohuslav Martinu.

Marin Alsop's job title is often some variation on the word "conductor", but to musicians and music-lovers around the world, she's so much more than that. On today's show, we speak to an innovator, a mentor, and a visionary leader: Marin Alsop, our 2021 Classical Woman of the Year.

Marin Alsop's job title is often some variation on the word "conductor", but to musicians and music-lovers around the world, she's so much more than that. On today's show, we speak to an innovator, a mentor, and a visionary leader: Marin Alsop - PT's 2021 Classical Woman of the Year.

As well as being a great pianist, Italian pianist Fabio Bidini is in high demand as a piano teacher. Bidini teaches at the Colburn School in Los Angeles and the Hans Eisler Music Academy in Berlin. On today's show, hear Fabio Bidini play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 3, with conductor JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Chinese lute, or pipa, has been around for more than two thousand years. On today's show, we'll hear a 21st century composition for pipa performed by Wu Man and the Lexington Symphony at a concert in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Mexican composer Arturo Marquez says he has always been enthralled by the music bubbling out of cafes and dance salons in Mexico. On Today's show, hear the Dorian Wind Quintet perform Danza del Mediodia, by Arturo Marquez, inspired by the cafe music of Mexico City.