Poster John F. Kennedy at Rice University, Houston - Sep. 2, 1962
John F. Kennedy at Rice University, Houston - Sep. 2, 1962
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Performance Today®

Houston: September 12, 1962

On September 12, 1962, President John F Kennedy gave a speech encouraging the nation to pursue projects and dreams "not because they are easy, but because they are hard." Composer Michael Gandolfi wrote a new work with that idea in mind. Join us for music that celebrates the courage to fight for change, on this episode of Performance Today.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Pablo Sarasate: Reverie, Op. 4 1
Tianwa Yang, violin; Markus Hadulla, piano
Sarasate: Violin and Piano Music, Vol. 3
Naxos NA

Ludwig van Beethoven: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra: Movement 1. Allegro ma non troppo
Tianwa Yang, violin; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; JoAnn Falletta, conductor
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY

Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is Chuck Romportl from Hopkins, MN

Erich Korngold: Much Ado About Nothing Suite, Op. 11
Danbi Um, violin; Juho Pohjonen, piano
Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, Rosarian Academy, West Palm Beach, FL

Hour 2

Niccolo Paganini: Cantabile In D, Op. 1 1
Scott St. John, violin; Simon Wynberg, Guitar
Music for Violin and Guitar I
Naxos NA

Antonin Dvorak: Othello Overture Op. 93
Nashville Symphony; Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Nashville Symphony, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, TN

Michael Gandolfi: Houston: Sept. 12, 1962
ROCO; Michael Stern, conductor
ROCO, St. John the Divine Church, Houston, TX

Bohuslav Martinu: Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola, H.313
Scott St. John, violin; Sharon Wei, viola
Seattle Chamber Music Society, Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA

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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.

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