Performance Today®

When American composer Aaron Jay Kernis wrote "Musica Celestis," he had in mind the ethereal sound of music from more than 800 years ago. On Monday's Performance Today we'll hear Kernis' celestial composition from a concert by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

On this weekend's Performance Today, we'll hear Danish folk tunes arranged and performed by members of the Danish String Quartet. Plus we'll travel to Shakespeare's hometown to hear the Orchestra of the Swan give a graceful performance of a Schumann symphony.

Bryce Dessner is a member of a successful rock band called The National. But he's also a performer and composer in the classical tradition. On Friday's Performance Today we'll speak with composer Bryce Dessner about his latest work, which was inspired by the writings of Jack Kerouac.

For PT's weekly musical focus on 21st century music, Fred Child talked with composer Bryce Dessner of indie-rock band The National.

On Thursday's Performance Today, Emily Reese of Top Score joins Fred in the studio to discuss the classical roots of modern video game music.

Radio host Emily Reese combines her enthusiasm for playing video games and passion for classical music as the host of Top Score, a weekly podcast highlighting video game music and the people who create it.

Depending on your point of view, Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben is either pompous, self-congratulatory excess or brilliant Romantic satire. On Wednesday's Performance Today we'll hear a performance of this piece from Helsinki, Finland. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week's Piano Puzzler.

On Tuesday's Performance Today, we'll hear Danish folk tunes arranged and performed by members of the Danish String Quartet.

Full interview, photos and video of the Danish String Quartet.