Poster Thomas Wiggins
Thomas Wiggins
via Wikimedia Commons
Performance Today®

Thomas Wiggins

Thomas Wiggins was born blind and into slavery in Georgia in 1849. He became one of the best-known performers in the country in the late 1800s, but due to the times, the fruits of his success may or may not surprise you. Hear the story and music of Thomas Wiggins on this edition of Performance Today.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

Felix Mendelssohn: Hexenlied "Witches' Song" Op. 8, No. 8
Felix Mendelssohn: Auf Flugeln des Gesanges "On Wings of Song" Op. 34, No. 2
Daniel Hope, violin; Sebastian Knauer, piano
DG 477 6634

Mikhail Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla
Greenville Symphony Orchestra; Edvard Tchivzhel, conductor
Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, SC

Piano Puzzler: This week's contestant is Caroline Cassil from Sutherlin, OR

Felix Mendelssohn: from Twelve Fugues for String Quartet: No. 10
The Shanghai String Quartet
Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York, NY

Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet in F minor, Op. 80, No. 6
Miami String Quartet: Benny Kim, violin; Cathy Meng Robinson, violin; Scott Lee, viola; Keith Robinson, cello
Viginia Arts Festival, Robin Hixon Theater, Norfolk, VA

Hour 2

Thomas Wiggins: The Rainstorm
John Davis, piano
John Davis Plays Blind Tom
Newport Classics 85660

Walter Piston: Symphony No. 7
Oregon Symphony; Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR

Benjamin Britten: Phantasy Quartet, Op.2
Peggy Pearson, oboe; Jesse Mills, violin; Melissa Matson, viola; Julia Bruskin, cello
Skaneateles Festival, First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles, NY

Thomas Wiggins: Sewing Song (Imitation Of A Sewing Machine)
John Davis, piano
John Davis Plays Blind Tom
Newport Classics 85660

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About Performance Today®

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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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