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 APM Distribution.
Pianist Yuja Wang has had a major-label recording contract for 8 years, since she was 22 years old. She is known for playing virtuosic pieces by the likes of Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Liszt... and yet, she still feels a bit intimidated about playing music by Mozart. On Monday's Performance Today, hear Yuja Wang perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor Lionel Bringuier.
Alex Beyer, 22, is working on a unique and challenging combination of academic degrees. He studies mathematics at Harvard AND is working on a Master's degree in piano at the New England Conservatory. To Alex, math and music are artistically intertwined. Pianist Alex Beyer - PT Young Artist in Residence - performs "La Valse" by Maurice Ravel, on this weekend's Performance Today.
Steve Reich is one of the most influential and acclaimed composers alive. In the 1960's, Reich was among a group of composers that pioneered what is known as minimal music. On Friday's Performance Today, cellist Rose Bellini performs "Cello Counterpoint", a 2003 composition by Reich. Bellini performs with 7 other parts, pre-recorded and played by cellist Maya Beiser. It's our weekly tribute to 21st century music.
Six musical friends in New York have a part-time project called yMusic. Flute, trumpet, clarinet, and three strings...a one-of-a-kind ensemble that combines world class talent with an interest in "flourishing in the overlap between pop and classical worlds." On Thursday's Performance Today, hear yMusic perform "Everness" by Mark Dancigers, with special thanks from our friends at Classical KING-FM in Seattle.
The first symphony Johannes Brahms wrote took him nearly 20 years to complete. By contrast, Brahms wrote his second symphony in just a few weeks. On Wednesday's Performance today, hear the Sydney Symphony Orchestra play Symphony No. 2, by Johannes Brahms, in a performance from the famous and picturesque Sydney Opera House, in Sydney, Australia.
Alex Beyer, 22, is working on a unique and challenging combination of academic degrees. He studies mathematics at Harvard AND is working on a Master's degree in piano at the New England Conservatory. To Alex, math and music are artistically intertwined. Join us for day 2 of our current PT Young Artist in Residence, pianist Alex Beyer, on Tuesday's Performance Today.
Jan Dussek, a Czech pianist and composer, was a contemporary of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. He wrote more than a dozen concertos for piano and orchestra, though he's not nearly as well remembered as his contemporaries. On Monday's Performance Today, learn more about Jan Dussek, and hear pianist Andreas Staier play Dussek's Piano Concerto in G Minor in a performance from Warsaw, Poland.
Listen to in-studio interviews with host Fred Child and exclusive musical performances by pianist Alex Beyer.
Tempesta di Mare - the Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra - is celebrating the 15th anniversary of their Philadelphia Concert Series. On Saturday's Performance Today, join the audience as Tempesta di Mare plays a concerto for two recorders by William Babell. You'll also hear this week's Piano Puzzler with Bruce Adolphe.
