Performance Today®

Fred Child says hello from the Moab Music Festival in southern Utah.

The Isle of the Dead is a painting of a dark, forbidding island. After viewing it, Sergei Rachmaninoff was inspired to write a symphonic poem; a musical depiction of the journey of a newly departed soul. On the weekend edition of Performance Today, we'll hear Rachmaninoff's Isle of the Dead from a concert in Nashville.

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara was 28 years old when he wrote his Symphony No. 1. It's a fascinating piece that is simply not played often enough. And so... on Friday's Performance Today, we'll hear the Buffalo Philharmonic play the Rautavaara's Symphony No. 1

In 2007, Imani Winds flutist and composer Valerie Coleman wrote a suite inspired by the poem "In time of Silver Rain" by Langston Hughes. On Thursday's Performance Today, Valerie Coleman joins us to talk about her work, Langston Hughes, and life-changing moments.

Iva Bittova is a Czech violinist, singer, and composer. Her work these days is mostly focused on playing violin and singing, but she is still strongly influenced by her background in acting and dance. Learn more about Iva Bittova and hear a performance of her composition "Divna Slecinka," on Wednesday's Performance Today.

Johannes Brahms told Anton Bruckner that he just didn't understand his symphonies... and Bruckner replied: "I have the exact same problem with yours." On Tuesday's Performance Today, we'll hear the New York Philharmonic play music by the often misunderstood Bruckner - the gorgeous slow movement from his Symphony No. 8.

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."

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.

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.