Poster Fred Child
Fred Child
MPR

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

All Episodes

Copland and the American West

Copland and the American West

Aaron Copland was from Brooklyn. He was a city slicker who captured and, to a certain degree, created what we think of as the sound of the old American west. On Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear a suite from his cowboy ballet, "Billy the Kid."

Celebrating 100 years of the Cleveland Orchestra

Celebrating 100 years of the Cleveland Orchestra

The Cleveland Orchestra is known as one of the best orchestras in the country, and they've consistently held that ranking over the course of several generations. Join us for a special tribute to an orchestra now celebrating their 100th year: the Cleveland Orchestra.

John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine

John Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine

On Friday's Performance Today, the JoAnn Falletta leads the Buffalo Philharmonic through a pulsing fanfare, music inspired by a thrilling (and terrifying) ride in a Lamborghini. Buckle your seat-belt for a "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" by composer John Adams.

Alexander Sitkovetsky

Alexander Sitkovetsky

It's one of the first exercises you learn to play on an instrument, one of the basic ways to build technique... and, it's awfully tempting to skip while practicing. On Thursday's Performance Today, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky shares his most valuable practice tip, and takes the stage with pianist Gloria Chien at a concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

On making a piano sound like...trumpets.

On making a piano sound like...trumpets.

Pianist Alex Beyer told us about trying to make the piano sound like an orchestra... trumpets, in particular. On Wednesday's Performance Today, we'll hear Alex Beyer play Maurice Ravel's evocative composition "La Valse."

A multi-talented Mendelssohn

A multi-talented Mendelssohn

Fanny Mendelssohn wrote more than 500 pieces of music, and she also was a conductor. One musician recalled, "A gesture of her little finger ran like an electric shock through our souls." More about the multi-talented Fanny Mendelssohn, on Tuesday's Performance Today.

Celebrating 100 years of the Cleveland Orchestra

Celebrating 100 years of the Cleveland Orchestra

The Cleveland Orchestra is known as one of the best orchestras in the country, and they've consistently held that ranking over the course of several generations. On Monday's Performance Today, join us for a special tribute to an orchestra now celebrating their 100th year: the Cleveland Orchestra.

Leonard Bernstein's ultimate goal

Leonard Bernstein's ultimate goal

Leonard Bernstein was a musical force for the ages, but behind all that talent and accomplishment, he simply wanted to accomplish one thing. On this weekend's Performance Today, Jamie Bernstein tells about on her father's ultimate goal, and we'll hear more about Leonard Bernstein's life and legacy.

YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00