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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 

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.

Shows

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.


Host

Fred Child

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.


Senior Producer

Kathryn Slusher

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.


Producer

Meghann Oglesby

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.


Kathleen Bradbury

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.


Associate Producer

Jon Gohman

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.


Technical Director

Craig Thorson

Jeanne Barron is the technical producer of Performance Today.


Technical Producer

YourClassical MPR

Jeanne Barron

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Performance Today

On this weekend's Performance Today, we celebrate Venezuelan Christmas traditions. Pianist Gabriela Montero and flutist Marco Granados share Venezuelan carols, dances, and their own Christmas memories.


Performance Today®

Courtesy of the artist

Venezuelan Christmas traditions

Ask a few bakers about sugar cookies, and you'll hear an endless list of recipe variations. The musical equivalent might be the traditional song Greensleeves... there are countless variations, all centered around that irresistible theme. On Friday's Performance Today, hear a tasty Greensleeves recipe by Ralph Vaughn Williams, as well as a wide-ranging selection of holiday music.


wikimedia commons

Musical holiday treats

'Tis the season for Christmas and winter holiday concerts. On Thursday's Performance Today, join us for festive music from across the country, featuring highlights from the St. Olaf Christmas Festival in Minnesota, the BYU Christmas Celebration in Utah, and more!


A scene from the 2017 St. Olaf Christmas Festival.

St. Olaf College

'Tis the season

Every Christmas, the Romero family always finds a way to be together... and that means a big guitar jam session. On Wednesday's Performance Today, hear a Christmas suite played by two generations of Romero family guitarists.


Wikipedia

Los Romeros

In 2013, Richard Danielpour composed a clarinet concerto inspired by the words and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On Tuesday's Performance Today, hear soloist Anthony McGill and the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra perform Richard Danielpour's "From the Mountaintop."


Martin Luther King, Jr. in the White House oval office

photo: Yoichi Okamoto

Danielpour: From the Mountaintop

On Monday's Performance Today, we celebrate Venezuelan Christmas traditions. Pianist Gabriela Montero and flutist Marco Granados share Venezuelan carols, dances, and their own Christmas memories.


Gustav Mahler spent the summer of 1905 in a lake-side cottage, in the Corinthian mountains in southern Austria. That's were composed his Symphony No. 7.  On Saturday's Performance Today, the New York Philharmonic plays Mahler's Seventh Symphony, with Alan Gilbert Conducting.


Mahler`s composer cabin at Maiernigg in southern Austria

By Johann Jaritz, via Wikimedia Commons

Mahler's retreat

Rick Robinson had a story in mind when he wrote 'Gitcha Groove On': a classical musician goes out for a night on the town, looking for music that moves him. On Friday's Performance Today, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra takes us on Robinson's musical journey through the after hours.


courtesy of CutTime Productions

Rick Robinson: Gitcha Groove On!

The ANCIA Saxophone Quartet is dedicated to the creation and performance of new works for saxophone quartet. On Thursday's Performance Today, the quartet performs Three Jazz Settings by composer Ramon Ricker.


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