Performance Today®

When pianist Ingrid Fliter plays a specific concerto, she imagines the characters of an opera coming together for a celebratory feast over the course of the piece.  On today's show, hear Ingrid Fliter play Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major with the Minnesota Orchestra, Thomas Sondergard conducting.

Cuban pianist and composer Aldo Lopez-Gavilan is equally talented in classical and jazz. He draws from both worlds when he composes, leaving plenty of room for improvisation. Hear original music by Aldo Lopez-Gavilan from a concert in Bonita Springs, Florida, on this episode of Performance Today.

In the 1930s and 40s, composer Erich Korngold helped create the epic orchestral sound of Hollywood movies. He borrowed that sound from himself when he wrote his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. We'll hear violinist James Ehnes and the Buffalo Philharmonic play Korngold’s concerto on today’s show.

The Sphinx Virtuosi is an ensemble made up of alumni of the Sphinx Competition. On today’s show, violinists Lady Jess and Emilia Mettenbrink join us to share their experiences with the group, and we'll hear highlights from the Sphinx Virtuosi's recent concert in St. Paul.

The Horn Trio by Johannes Brahms is a gorgeous piece for French horn, violin, and piano. Brahms said that, in a pinch, a cello could play the horn part, so let’s go to a concert in New York City to hear Brahms's Horn Trio…with cello instead.

Every week, composer Bruce Adolphe joins us for a musical game, our Piano Puzzler. Bruce re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. We get one of our listeners on the phone who tries to guess the hidden tune and the composer whose style Bruce is imitating. Play along with the PT Piano Puzzler on this episode of Performance Today.

Twenty years ago, classical guitarist Jason Vieaux was one of our Young Artists in Residence. At the time, he'd never met his hero, guitarist Pat Metheny. Now they're friends. On today's show, Jason Vieaux plays a new piece written for him by his hero and friend: Four Paths of Light by Pat Metheny.

A recent composition by Jessie Montgomery is the emotional center of a new album by clarinetist Anthony McGill and pianist Gloria Chien. Join us to hear McGill and Chien perform Peace by Jessie Montgomery from the album Here With You.

Every week, composer Bruce Adolphe joins us for a musical game, our Piano Puzzler. Bruce re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. We get one of our listeners on the phone who tries to guess the hidden tune and the composer whose style Bruce is imitating. Play along with the PT Piano Puzzler on this episode of Performance Today.