Poster Movie reel
Movie reel
iStock photo
Performance Today®

Performance Today for Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Music was a part of movies since before they even had sound. During the silent film era, pianists or organists would play along in the theater. From the 1930s on, Hollywood has known the value of music in supporting, and even sometimes creating a sense of emotion and drama. On Wednesday's Performance Today we'll sample powerful music from the movies. A symphony by Mozart that helped to create just the right sense of dread in the 1984 film 'Amadeus.' Music by Grieg, artfully adapted for the 2010 film 'The Social Network.' And Joshua Bell joins Fred Child to talk about a 21st-century violin concerto based on music John Corigliano wrote for the 1993 film 'The Red Violin.'

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Franz Liszt: Consolation No. 3
Van Cliburn, piano
Album: A Romantic Collection, RCA 60414

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 63 in C, Hob. I: 63 'La Roxelane' - II. Giardino Armonico
Giovanni Antonini, conductor
Union Hall, Maribor, Slovenia

Piano Puzzler: Peter Sagal from Chicago, IL

Sergei Prokofiev: Visions fugitive - X. Ridicolosamente
John Lill, piano
Album: Prokofiev: The Piano Sonatas Vol. 1, ASV 753

Peter Tchaikovsky: June Barcarolle, from Le saisons, Op. 37b
Van Cliburn, piano
Album: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Philips 456748

Claude Debussy: Danse
Fei-Fei Dong, piano
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition 2013; Bass Hall, Fort Worth, Texas

Hour 2

Johnny Greenwood: Prospectors' Quartet from 'There Will Be Blood' soundtrack
Emperor Quartet
Album: 'There Will Be Blood' Soundtrack, Nonesuch 369020-2

Patrick Doyle: "What Players are They" from 'Hamlet'
Studio Orchestra; Robert Ziegler, conductor

John Corigliano: Concerto for "The Red Violin" (World Premiere Recording) - III. Andante Flautando; IV. Accelerando Finale
Joshua Bell, violin; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop, cond.

Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46 - 3. Anitra's Dance; 4. In the Hall of the Mountain King
Berlin Philharmonic; Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Album: Grieg - Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2, DG 410 026-2

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in g minor, K. 183
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; Hans Graf, conductor
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St Paul, MN

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

The 'exquisite' Michelle Cann

The 'exquisite' Michelle Cann

Pianist Michelle Cann made her orchestral debut at the age of fourteen and has since performed with numerous top-tier orchestras. Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, Cann is also a leading interpreter of Florence Price's music. On today's show, Michelle Cann joins Fred Child in our St. Paul studio, introducing listeners to the music of Irene Britton Smith and Hazel Scott.

1:59:00
Joana Mallwitz and the Berlin Philharmonic

Joana Mallwitz and the Berlin Philharmonic

Conductor Joana Mallwitz aims for new concert hall audiences to experience the orchestra's vibrant energy, feeling the floors tremble. In today’s program, we'll hear a result of Mallwitz’s enthusiasm as she leads the Berlin Philharmonic in Paul Hindemith’s “Symphony: Mathis der Maler.”

1:59:00
An enduring partnership

An enduring partnership

Jennifer Frautschi plays a violin made by Antonio Stradivarius in 1722. A foundation loaned the instrument to her with the understanding that they could ask for its return at any time. That was 24 years ago… and apparently, they're happy with what she's doing with their violin! We’ll hear Frautschi—and her ‘loaner’ instrument—perform music by Haydn on today’s program.

1:59:00
Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Imogen Cooper's passion for Schubert

Pianist Imogen Cooper loves how Franz Schubert's music can shift from moment to moment. She says, “It's as if he takes you by the shoulders, swings you around, and says, 'That was then, this is now.'" Tune in today to hear Cooper's interpretation of Schubert's Impromptus at a recent concert presented by the Frederic Chopin Society in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1:59:00
Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

Missy Mazzoli: These Worlds in Us

In 2006, composer Missy Mazzoli wrote a piece dedicated to her father, who served in the Vietnam War. The music explores the connection between her father’s war memories and a poem by James Tate. Today’s show takes us to a recent concert in Switzerland to hear “These Worlds in Us” by Missy Mazzoli.

1:59:00
PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

PT Weekend: Lost and found Webern

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern. Plus, Bruce Adolphe has this week’s Piano Puzzler!

1:59:00
Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin

Marc-Andre Hamelin is one of the most celebrated and respected pianists of our time. His performances are renowned for their brilliance, technical mastery, and deep musicality. In today's show, we'll take you to a concert in Toronto to hear Hamelin perform from Nikolai Medtner's 'Forgotten Melodies.'

1:59:00
Simone Dinnerstein

Simone Dinnerstein

Philip Glass's "Mad Rush" often divides listeners—is it meditative or merely repetitive? Pianist Simone Dinnerstein finds it an amazing piece that keeps her grounded in the present moment. Today’s show features her compelling performance from a recent concert at Spivey Hall, located just outside Atlanta in Morrow, Georgia.

1:59:00
A notable recovery

A notable recovery

In 1945, Austrian composer Anton Webern and his family fled Vienna. Most of Webern’s valuables, mementos, and manuscripts were placed in a lock box, which they buried in the backyard. Sixteen years later, the box was recovered with the manuscripts inside. On today's show, we'll hear one of those 'found' pieces: Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Breeze) by Anton Webern.

1:59:00
Just Another Climb

Just Another Climb

In 1939, four women climbers reached the summit of Wyoming’s Grand Teton at dawn, racing to be the first and to counter skepticism about their unassisted ascent. Newspapers at the time called it the first "manless" ascent of the mountain. In response, one of the women said, “To us it was just another climb.” Today's show will feature both the story and the music: "Just Another Climb" by Kimberly Osberg.

1:59:00
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®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00