Performance Today®

Chiquinha Gonzago established a career for herself as a professional musician in nineteenth century Brazil at a time when it was widely considered scandalous to do so.

On Friday's Performance Today, we'll hear the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra play the world premiere of "Abound" by composer Emily Cooley.

Nathalie Joachim is at the vanguard of a new approach to the classical tradition. She combines a wide range of musical styles and sounds... classical, soul, hip-hop... really, anything goes. On Thursday's Performance Today, join us for music and conversation with flutist and composer Nathalie Joachim.

In his mid-20s, Ludwig van Beethoven was aspiring to be a composer, but he was known mostly as a pianist... he was still searching for his own musical voice. On Wednesday's Performance Today, hear wonderfully accomplished music by the young composer, before he became the Beethoven we know today.

The final symphony by Jean Sibelius unfolds in a single riveting movement, an unbroken, weightless flow of music. It's the Symphony No. 7 by Sibelius, in concert, on Tuesday's Performance Today.

Kurt Weill is most commonly known for his contributions to musical theater, but, with the patronage of the "American Princess," he wrote some classical music as well. On Monday's Performance Today, find out more about Weill's patron and hear his Symphony No. 2, from a concert in Houston.

Anne Midgette was the first woman to review classical music for the New York Times on a regular basis, and is now the classical music critic for the Washington Post. On this weekend's Performance Today, special guest Anne Midgette joins us for music and conversation about the role women have played in classical music.

When Nina Lee was a young girl, a group of female musicians came to her school. They played a popular TV jingle... and Lee fell in love with the sound of the cello. Now, she's a member of the Brentano Quartet. More about Nina Lee's story, and a concert performance by the Brentano Quartet, on Friday's Performance Today.

Anne Midgette was the first woman to review classical music for the New York Times on a regular basis, and is now the classical music critic for the Washington Post. On Thursday's Performance Today, special guest Anne Midgette joins us for music and conversation about the role women have played in classical music.