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Latest

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

Jennifer Higdon

At some point, many music students procrastinate when it comes to practicing. When Jennifer Higdon was in graduate school, she "forgot" to practice her flute so often, she stopped playing altogether. On today's show, find out what made Higdon forget the flute altogether...and become a Pulitzer Prize winning composer. Episode details...

Hour One

Hour Two

Margi Griebling-Haigh

Composer Margi Griebling-Haigh is part of a musical family in Cleveland, with quite a few professional composers and musicians, so it's no surprise that family celebrations are bursting with music. We'll hear a rhapsody she wrote for her daughter's wedding on this episode of Performance Today. Episode details...

Hour One

Hour Two

2021 Classical Woman of the Year: Marin Alsop

This annual award recognizes women who have made a significant contribution to the art form or inspired a nominator's appreciation for classical music.

14min

Young Artist in Residence: Lauren Anker

We're proud to introduce you to horn player Lauren Anker, the first of our 2021 Young Artists in Residence. Lauren recently joined us from Houston for conversation and music. You can hear it all here!

18min 10sec

Creating musical opportunities on Rapa Nui

Classical pianist Mahani Teave saw a need and found a way. She grew up on Rapa Nui (sometimes called Easter Island) in the Pacific Ocean with plenty of music, but little of it classical. She talks with Performance Today host Fred Child about her recent solo album to help support the school she co-founded.

33min 4sec

Before you go...

Performance Today brings the power of live music, right into your home. Help us share the music, by making a gift today.

Performance Today's Classical Critters

Performance Today's Classical Critters is a 60-minute classical music romp about and inspired by animals. Host Fred Child and kids tell stories, spark creativity, share ideas and listen to music together. You'll want to have some paper and crayons or markers on hand and a little bit of space to move!

59min

An Tran: Stay, My Beloved

Guitarist An Tran has a treasured photograph. In it, he is a young child and his parents are lifting him high overhead at their home in Vietnam. He remembers that at that moment his parents were singing what he describes as "the most beautiful melody ever:" a Vietnamese folk song translated as "Stay, My Beloved." It was a grounding moment in Tran's childhood and the song is the backbone of his new album, "Stay, My Beloved."

19min 25sec

Joanne Polk celebrates an underestimated composer

Louise Farrenc was not only a remarkable pianist and imaginative composer. She also bulldozed through the limited ideas of women's artistic value and professional potential in the 19th Century. Pianist Joanne Polk brings light to Farrenc's legacy.

28min 10sec

Classical Woman of the Year 2020

Performance Today celebrates Women's History Month by honoring the women who have made a lasting impact on classical music and those who love music. The 2020 Classical Woman of the Year is composer and performer Valerie Coleman.

Before you go...

Performance Today brings the power of live music, right into your home. Help us share the music, by making a gift today.

Young Artist in Residence: Geneva Lewis

Violinist Geneva Lewis is Performance Today's current Young Artist in Residence. Geneva recently joined Fred Child for conversation and music at our studio in Saint Paul, Minnesota. You can hear it all here!

15min 45sec

Young Artist in Residence: Max Opferkuch

Clarinetist Max Opferkuch is Performance Today's current Young Artist in Residence. Max recently joined Fred Child for conversation and music at our studio in Saint Paul. You can hear it all here!

19min 32sec