Pianist Emanuel Ax is endearingly humble. He downplays his own abilities and goes out of his way to shine the spotlight on others. It's charming, but don't believe a word of it. Ax is a national treasure, one of the finest pianists around today. In today's show, he teams up with the Spanish National Orchestra and plays the "Emperor" concerto by Beethoven.
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
Johannes Brahms: Intermezzo in E, Op. 16, No. 4
Emanuel Ax, piano
Johann Sebastian Bach: First movement from Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 1052
The Seattle Marimba Quartet
Classical KING FM, Seattle
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, Op. 73 (Emperor)
Emanuel Ax, piano, the Spanish National Orchestra, Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos, conductor
Auditorio Nacional de Musica, Madrid, Spain
Hour 2
Franz Schubert: Marche Militaire in D, Op. 51, No. 1, D. 733
The Philharmonia Orchestra, Charles Groves, conductor
Frederic Chopin: Etude, Op. 10, No. 3
The Georgia Guitar Quartet
Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina
Enrique Granados: Spanish Dance No. 2 (Orientale)
The Georgia Guitar Quartet
Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina
Avner Dorman: Astrolatry
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Justin Brown, conductor
Spring for Music Festival, New York City
Franz Schubert: Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 103, D. 940
David Jalbert and Wonny Song, piano
Montreal Chamber Music Festival, Montreal, Quebec
Love the music?
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.
Your Donation
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.
