Performance Today®

On Thursday's Performance Today, innovative pianist Jade Simmons joins Fred in the studio to discuss what it means to stay fiery as a musician.

On Wednesday's Performance Today, Fred Child is joined by a special co-host -- violinist Hilary Hahn. Since her professional debut at age 16, Hilary Hahn has been counted as one of the very best classical violinists in the world. She's curated a special playlist for PT listeners which includes performances that influenced her as a young violinist and ones that she admires today.

On Tuesday's Performance Today, conductor, pianist and candid commentator Bill Eddins joins host Fred Child in the studio to take listeners on a tour of his favorite pieces of classical music. He talks about the unappreciated humor in Beethoven's symphonies, the sly keyboard prowess of Alicia de Larrocha, and reveals what he calls "the sexiest piece of classical music ever written."

On Monday's Performance Today, we'll hear two French masterpieces played in concert by two great orchestras. First, the French National Orchestra plays Claude Debussy's musical picture of the sea; La Mer. And from downtown Los Angeles, the LA Philharmonic plays Maurice Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe.

As a boy, Ramzi Aburedwan threw stones at Israeli soldiers. Then he learned to play the violin, and these days, he fights for peace -- with music. On this weekend's Performance Today, journalist Sandy Tolan and Palestinian music teacher Ramzi Aburedwan join Fred to discuss the power of music and Tolan's new book, "Children of the Stone."

All this summer, we're featuring great music inspired by distinctive American places. On Friday's Performance Today, our Summer Road Trip stops in Florida. We'll hear the Florida Suite by Frederick Delius; music inspired by the days he spent tending to his father's orange groves.

Pianist Vadym Kholodenko may have won the 2013 Van Cliburn Competition, but he never intends to rest on his laurels -- he believes that the process of learning is endless. On Thursday's Performance Today, we'll find out what Kholodenko has been learning since he won the Cliburn when he joins Fred in the studio for music and conversation.

Listen to in-studio interview with host Fred Child and musical performances by pianist Vadym Kholodenko.

Every summer, Lugano, Switzerland is home to the Martha Argerich Project. For over two weeks, Argerich plays several concerts, and gets her friends to play with her. On Wednesday's Performance Today, we'll hear Martha Argerich and the Swiss Italian Orchestra play a brand new piece by Luis Bacalov.