Donate now to support your one-stop classical music destination

Your contribution powers the wonder of classical music
Donate
Latest

Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

: Kernis: Musica Celestis

In the late 1980s, American composer Aaron Jay Kernis heard music written by Hildegard von Bingen more than 800 years ago. Kernis was struck by the powerful simplicity and sheer beauty of that music. On today's show, hear Aaron Jay Kernis's Musica Celestis. It's simply beautiful. Episode details...

Hour One

Hour Two

Terra Incognita

Composer Wayne Shorter is fascinated by the metaphorical idea of terra incognita, the undiscovered territory in ourselves... and the courage that it takes to explore that territory. On today's show, hear Imani Winds play Shorter's Terra Incognita at a concert presented by the University of Chicago. Episode details...

Hour One

Hour Two

Love it! Great new albums

Isata Kanneh-Mason recorded this all-Clara Schumann disc for Decca Classics as an homage to the composer and pianist in the year of what would have been her 200th birthday.

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

New York Out Loud

New York Out Loud is a special week-long series that explores and celebrates the sonic culture of New York City. Check out our radio, film and social media content to learn more about the audible characteristics of each of the five boroughs: through music, sound art, poetry, craftsmanship and history.

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.

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

Beethoven's 250th Birthday Along the Rhine

*Now Waitlisting* The year 2020 marks Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday and you are cordially invited to celebrate in the composer’s homeland with Performance Today ™ host Fred Child. Designed for lovers of nature, culture and, of course, classical music, this customized adventure of food, music, art and sheer fun will thrill you.

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.

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

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: 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

Young Artist in Residence: Aleksandra Kasman

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

22min