Poster Shostakovich
Shostakovich head shot. Resting on hand.
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Performance Today®

On the big screen

For an actor, making it big in Hollywood is the epitome of success. But for a classical composer? Most consider the concert hall more of a barometer of success. Many composers have dabbled with composing music for films, however. On today's show, we'll hear music for the big screen, by Dmitri Shostakovich (pictured), Sergei Prokofiev, and Toru Takemitsu.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Carl Nielsen: "Maskarade" Overture
The BBC Symphony Orchestra with conductor Sir Colin Davis
The BBC Proms, London, England

Antonio Vivaldi: Quoniam and Cum Sancto from "Gloria"
The Academy of Ancient Music and the Christ Church Cathedral Choir with conductor Simon Preston
The BBC Proms, London, England

Johann Strauss Jr.: "Magyar Polka," Op. 332
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Simon Rattle
The BBC Proms, London, England

Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor
The Berlin Philharmonic with conductor Claudio Abbado
The BBC Proms, London, England

Georges Bizet: "Jeux d'enfants"
The Philharmonia Orchestra with conductor Adrian Boult
The BBC Proms, London, England

Peter Tchaikovsky: "The Tempest," Op. 18
The Berlin Philharmonic with conductor Claudio Abbado
The BBC Proms, London, England

Hour 2

Alfred Newman: "20th Century Fox Fanfare" and "Street Scene"
The National Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Charles Gerhardt

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in A, K. 305 (K. 293d)
Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and pianist Rieko Aizawa
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Cleveland

Dmitri Shostakovich: "Romance" and "Folk Feast," from "The Gadfly Suite," Op. 97a
The Houston Symphony Orchestra with conductor Brett Mitchell
Jones Hall, Houston

Sergei Prokofiev: Romance from "Lieutenant Kije Suite"
Pianist Frederic Chiu
Portland International Piano Festival, Portland, Oregon

Toru Takemitsu: "Three Film Scores"
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with conductor Yuri Bashmet
Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Franz Schubert: Entr'acte No. 3 in B-flat from "Rosamunde," Op. 26, D. 797
The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Yuri Temirkanov
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

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Performance Today® features live concert recordings that can’t be heard anywhere else, highlights from new album releases, and in-studio performances and interviews. Performance Today® is based at the APM studios in St. Paul, Minnesota, but is frequently on the road, with special programs broadcast from festivals and public radio stations around the country. Also, each Wednesday, composer Bruce Adolphe joins host Fred Child for a classical musical game and listener favorite: the Piano Puzzler.

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