Nov 19th, 2008 · From the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado, a gifted flutist embraces a Swiss ballade, a 16-year-old violinist tosses off a devilish sonata and a 14-year-old pianist tackles Liszt's Mephisto Waltz.
Oct 7th, 2008 · Andras Schiff has played Beethoven's colossal piano sonata, the "Hammerklavier," for years. He calls it a "monument of impenetrability." Now, he's finally recorded the piece, and critic Tom Manoff has a review.
Mar 21st, 2007 · With virtually any mainstay of the classical repertoire, like Brahms' masterful violin sonatas, it's possible to find sparkling performances from lesser-known but artistically mighty interpreters. This recording, by Czech violinist Josef Suk and American pianist Julius Katchen, is an excellent example.
Jul 26th, 2006 · Pianist Garrick Ohlsson performs a sonata Beethoven wrote early in his career, then closes by playing Chopin's Etude in C-Sharp Minor. In addition to those performances, Ohlsson talks to Performance Today host Fred Child about his craft and his practice habits.
Jul 2nd, 2006 · Beethoven poured his "scowling genius" into his 32 sonatas -- works that helped transform music forever. Three artists discuss their attempts to interpret some of the most challenging pieces ever written for piano.
Mar 30th, 2006 · Sergio and Odair Assad join forces in a concert from the Tisch Center for the Arts in New York. The Grammy-winning guitar duo perform new arrangements of Domenico Scarlatti's Sonata in G Major and Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti's "Bajao malandro."
Jan 13th, 2006 · Mozart's relationship with his father was one of love and mutual respect, but not subservience. Scholars Neal Zaslaw and Jane Glover explore the relationship. Music includes a sonata for piano and violin, intrigue from The Marriage of Figaro and a piano concerto.
Oct 14th, 2004 · NPR's Robert Siegel talks with tenor Ian Bostridge and pianist Leif Ove Andsnes about the song cycle "Winterreise," or Winter's Journey. Bostridge and Andsnes have recorded the set of 24 moody and emotional songs by Franz Schubert on a recent CD on the EMI Classics label. They've also teamed on two other CDs pairing Schubert songs with solo piano sonatas. They're currently on tour, performing Winterreise this Saturday at Carnegie Hall.