Music for Autumn
This week on Prairie Performances, we are welcoming the brisk air and bountiful harvests of autumn with seasonal music from Leo Sowerby, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, William Grant Still, David Ludwig, and more!
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Featured Artist: Jim Pugh
This week, Prairie Performances is featuring the works of renowned trombonist, composer, and Professor Emeritus of Jazz Trombone at the University of Illinois, Jim Pugh. His latest album, New American Symphonies, brings to life Roy Harris’s once-lost trombone symphony. You will hear Jim Pugh talk about how the symphony was recovered, along with a few selections from the album.
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Themes and Variations
This week on Prairie Performances, we listen to three pieces that can be classified as “themes and variations”—a musical form that offers variety to the listener while showcasing the composer’s ability to manipulate musical material in interesting ways.
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Jazz: Live Near You!
This week on Prairie Performances, you can hear jazz from artists playing live near you in the coming month. Many great performances coming up in and around the state of Illinois. Maybe this episode will have you scheduling your next concert outing!
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Featured Artist: Oliver Talukder
This week on Prairie Performances, we are featuring the works of Mexican-Bengali oboist and winner of Cedille Records’ 2025 Emerging Artist Competition, Oliver Talukder. Born in Evanston, IL, Talukder’s debut solo album, Briefly Gorgeous, is releasing on September 4th. On this episode, you can hear a sneak preview of that album, and an interview with the artist.
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The Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra Plays Mahler’s Symphony no. 5
On this week’s archive episode of Prairie Performances, we’re bringing you the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra’s 2018 performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony no. 5. We will talk about what makes this work both a continuation of and departure from Mahler’s previous symphonies, why Mahler refused to assign a key signature to the work, and more!
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Noisy Neighbors
This week on Prairie Performances, it’s our monthly jazz episode! The title is “Noisy Neighbors”—except in this case, we like having noisy neighbors. You will hear recordings by friendly neighborhood musicians from in and around the state of Illinois, including Johnny Griffin, Ann Hampton Callaway, Kurt Elling, Terreon Gully, and more!
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Small Ensembles in Chicago
This week on Prairie Performances, we are listening to music from some of the many small ensembles in and of the city of Chicago. Our program includes music from Avalon String Quartet, Orion Ensemble, Third Coast Percussion, and more.
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Beautiful Beginnings
On this season premiere of Prairie Performances, we celebrate beautiful beginnings with beloved classical overtures.
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Music for Summertime
On this season finale of Prairie Performances, we’re preparing ourselves for warmer weather and summer storms with music for summertime.
