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Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

PT Weekend: Emad Zolfaghari

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For Emad Zolfaghari, a viola bow is more than just a tool. He says, "You have to play by feel... so I think bows are much more personal than instruments." On today's program, PT Young Artist in Residence violist Emad Zolfaghari shares his thoughts on bows, music, and life.
Performance Today - May 24, 2025
1:59:00

Episodes

Gabriella Smith: Children of the Fire

Gabriella Smith: Children of the Fire

Composer Gabriella Smith grew up hiking and backpacking. She finds joy and inspiration in climate action and nature, and her music reflects the perpetual groove of the world around us. Tune in today to hear Gabriella Smith's 'Children of the Fire,' from a concert in Charleston, South Carolina.

1:59:00
Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninoff

Kirill Gerstein plays Rachmaninoff

Sure, it's a flashy showpiece for piano, but Kirill Gerstein says, "If you dig deeper, it's also a sincere expression straight from the heart." On today's show, hear Kirill Gerstein play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with conductor Hannu Lintu leading the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

1:59:00
Conductor Elim Chan

Conductor Elim Chan

Conductor Elim Chan works with orchestras worldwide. She stays fit by boxing; she appreciates situations where she might get a black eye if she loses concentration. On today’s show, conductor and boxer Elim Chan leads the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra at a concert in Berlin.

1:59:00
Ravel's String Quartet

Ravel's String Quartet

French composer Maurice Ravel wrote so much wonderful music, but only once did he write a piece for two violins, viola, and cello. We don’t need to call it Quartet No. 1 by Ravel... It's the ONLY String Quartet by Ravel. Join us today—we'll take you to a concert in Portland, Oregon, to hear the Catalyst Quartet play the String Quartet by Maurice Ravel.

1:59:00
Young Artist in Residence: Emad Zolfaghari

Young Artist in Residence: Emad Zolfaghari

Emad Zolfaghari is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. He recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Emad’s music and the entire interview here.

43:21
Meet Emad Zolfaghari

Meet Emad Zolfaghari

For Emad Zolfaghari, a viola bow is more than just a tool. He says, "You have to play by feel... so I think bows are much more personal than instruments." On today's program, PT Young Artist in Residence violist Emad Zolfaghari shares his thoughts on bows, music, and life.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: The Piano Puzzler

PT Weekend: The Piano Puzzler

Every week on our Piano Puzzler, composer Bruce Adolphe rewrites a familiar tune in the style of a great composer. One of our listeners calls in, tries to guess the tune and the composer whose style Bruce is mimicking. Tune in and play along with our weekly musical game: the Piano Puzzler.

1:59:00
Bomsori Kim

Bomsori Kim

Bomsori Kim began taking piano lessons when she was five years old, but after seeing a violin concert, little Bomsori demanded an end to her piano lessons and a start on the violin. Thirty years later, she's a star. On today's show, we'll hear violinist Bomsori Kim play at a concert in Germany.

1:59:00
Lara Downes

Lara Downes

Pianist Lara Downes's passion for sharing the music of underrepresented composers goes beyond performing onstage. She's also been hard at work making this previously overlooked music accessible for other musicians to play. On today's show, Lara Downes plays Harry T. Burleigh's "From the Southland" at a concert in Brevard, North Carolina.

1:59:00

Piano Puzzler

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Piano Puzzler

Play the Piano Puzzler® for May 28, 2025
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Young Artists

Young Artist in Residence: Emad Zolfaghari

Young Artist in Residence: Emad Zolfaghari

Emad Zolfaghari is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. He recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Emad’s music and the entire interview here.

43:21
Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Young Artist in Residence: Victor Ni

Clarinetist Victor Ni is the next of our 2025 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Victor recently joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio. You can hear Victor’s music and the entire interview here.

42:34
Young Artist in Residence: David Lai

Young Artist in Residence: David Lai

We’re proud to introduce you to pianist David Lai, our newest PT Young Artist in Residence. He joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio — hear his music and the entire interview here!

44:27
Young Artist in Residence: Daniel Dastoor

Young Artist in Residence: Daniel Dastoor

We’re proud to introduce you to violinist Daniel Dastoor, the next of our 2024 cohort of PT Young Artists in Residence. Daniel joined Fred Child in our St. Paul studio—hear Daniel’s music and the entire interview here!

44:16

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Join PT for a 60-minute classical music romp inspired by animals.

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New York Out Loud

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