Performance Today

08/27/2026

Even seasoned professionals make mistakes. PT host Valerie Kahler is grateful for pre-recorded shows. Leave your fave media bloopers below! ⬇️

08/21/2026

Producer Meghann Oglesby stops by The Nook in St. Paul, Minnesota to introduce Young Artist Sean Terada Yang to some of the best fried pickles in town.

08/12/2026

Host Aerin O’Malley has learned a lot on her 'Classically Training' journey. This week, she tests her knowledge against her Minnesota Public Radio co-worker, Performance Today producer Meghann Oglesby for some level 4 classical music trivia. To learn more and play along with Aerin next week, check out full episodes of 'Classically Training' on YouTube and YourClassical.org.

05/08/2026

Today, we're highlighting a piece inspired by a composer's experience of moving alone to a new city at age 18, exploring the human ability to adapt. Tune in to hear Danielle Eva Schwob's (DELANILA) evocative work 'Breathing Underwater,' performed by members of The Merian Ensemble in Atlanta, Georgia.

Today, we're highlighting a piece inspired by a composer's experience of moving alone to a new city at age 18, exploring the human ability to adapt. Tune in to hear Danielle Eva Schwob's evocative work Breathing Underwater, performed by members of the Merian Ensemble in Atlanta, Georgia.

05/07/2026

Jeannette Sorrell founded the early music group Apollo's Fire back in 1992, and that fire is still burning hot. We'll hear Apollo's Fire at a concert in Cleveland on this episode of Performance Today.

📷 Roger Mastroianni Photography

Jeannette Sorrell founded the early music group Apollo's Fire back in 1992... and that fire is still burning hot. We'll hear Apollo's Fire at a concert in Cleveland on this episode of Performance Today.

05/06/2026

Today, we'll enter the world of dreams with highlights from Sergei Prokofiev's ballet, 'Cinderella.' Conductor Elim Chan leads the Basel Symphony Orchestra (Sinfonieorchester Basel) in a suite she arranged herself, capturing the poetic romance at the heart of this timeless story.

📷 Eduardus Lee - Photographer

Today, we'll enter the world of dreams with highlights from Sergei Prokofiev's ballet, Cinderella. Conductor Elim Chan leads the Basel Symphony Orchestra in a suite she arranged herself, capturing the poetic romance at the heart of this timeless story.

05/05/2026

Cellist Alban Gerhardt grew up inspired by the warmth of his mother’s soprano voice, yet he finds his own vocal expression in the strings of his cello. Join us today to hear Gerhardt perform Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s Cello Concerto with the RTVE Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta y Coro RTVE), conducted by Delyana Lazarova.

📷 Benjamin Ealovega Photography

Cellist Alban Gerhardt grew up inspired by the warmth of his mother’s soprano voice, yet he finds his own vocal expression in the strings of his cello. Join us today to hear Gerhardt perform Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s Cello Concerto with the RTVE Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Delyana Lazarova.

05/04/2026

In 1946, Howard Hanson sent Margaret Nelson a musical gift while she was considering his marriage proposal: a recording of a new work dedicated to her. The gesture won her over, and they enjoyed thirty-five years of happy marriage. On today’s show, we’ll hear Howard’s musical “proposal” to Margaret. Robert Manno conducts the Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra in Howard Hanson’s Serenade for Flute, Harp, and String Orchestra.

📷 Byron Morgan

In 1946, Howard Hanson sent Margaret Nelson a musical gift while she was considering his marriage proposal: a recording of a new work dedicated to her. The gesture won her over, and they enjoyed thirty-five years of happy marriage. On today’s show, we’ll hear Howard’s musical “proposal” to...

05/01/2026

In the 1990s, composer Starr Parodi had a frightening encounter with a South Pacific riptide. She drew an inspirational parallel from that experience to a much more recent tragedy: the 2025 Pacific Palisades fire that destroyed her home and studio. Through both events, she discovered that resilience often comes from letting go rather than fighting the flow. On today's show, Delyana Lazarova conducts the ensemble ROCO in Parodi's meditation on surrender, 'Riptide.'

📷 Gina Conte

In the 1990s, composer Starr Parodi had a frightening encounter with a South Pacific riptide. She drew an inspirational parallel from that experience to a much more recent tragedy: the 2025 Pacific Palisades fire that destroyed her home and studio. Through both events, she discovered that resilience...

04/30/2026

American composer Adolphus Hailstork has a series of pieces called his "cathedral series," which emphasize the sense of centeredness and calm found within sacred spaces. Join us for a moment of stillness with Hailstork's meditative work, 'Sanctum: Rhapsody for Viola & Piano,' from a concert presented by Spivey Hall at Clayton State University, just south of Atlanta in Morrow, Georgia.

📷 Oscar Costero

American composer Adolphus Hailstork has a series of pieces called his "cathedral series," which emphasize the sense of centeredness and calm found within sacred spaces. Join us for a moment of stillness with Hailstork's meditative work, Sanctum: Rhapsody for Viola & Piano, from a concert presented....