Poster Firebird
Image from 1910 production of Firebird ballet
Leon Bakst
Performance Today®

Immortality

The legend of the firebird comes down to us from many different cultures. The details differ, but the essence of the story is the same. This magical bird is immortal, dying in fire and being reborn in the ashes of its former self. In 1910, the then-unknown Igor Stravinsky ensured his own immortality, writing music for the new ballet, "The Firebird." We'll hear a performance of the complete ballet from Germany, Alan Gilbert leading the Berlin Philharmonic.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 4 in F-sharp Minor
The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Kurt Masur, conductor

Leos Janacek: Third movement from Suite for Strings
Sinfonietta Paris, Michael Boone, conductor
The Reformed Church of Batignolles, Paris, France

Antonin Dvorak: Excerpt from Cypresses for String Quartet
The Lark Chamber Artists
Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, Texas

The Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is David Sargent from Springville, Utah

Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian)
The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Roger Norrington, conductor
Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Germany

Hour 2

Joseph Haydn: Minuet from Symphony No. 92 in G (Oxford)
The Berlin Philharmonic, Simon Rattle, conductor

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer: Sonata No. 5 in A for Strings and Basso Continuo
The Masques Ensemble
Our Lady of Good Help Chapel, Montreal, Quebec

George Frideric Handel: Gigue from Water Music in G Major, HWV 350
REBEL Ensemble
International Handel Festival, Gottingen, Germany

Igor Stravinsky: Excerpts from the Firebird
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Alan Gilbert, conductor
Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Performance Today® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Performance Today®

To find a station near you on our Stations Listings page, click here.

American Public Media’s Performance Today® is America’s most popular classical music radio program and a winner of the 2014 Gabriel Award for artistic achievement. The show is broadcast on hundreds of public radio stations across the country, including at 1 p.m. central weekdays on Minnesota Public Radio. More information about our stations can be found at APM Distribution.

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.

How do I leave a comment?

Send us a comment here.

About Performance Today®
<!--DO NOT REMOVE-CONTENTS PLACED HERE-->