Purlie Victorious Leslie Odom Jr and cast

Great Performances

Arts and Music Series / 6 Seasons

Great Performances brings the best in the performing arts from across America and around the world to a US television audience. It presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

Watch Latest: S52 E5

1h 25m / TV-G

The Jewish Tune That Inspired Composer Aaron Copland's Piano

4m 22s

Host Scott Yoo and Cantor Daniel Mutlu discuss how Aaron Copland may have drawn inspiration from his Jewish roots and Cantor Mutlu performs "Mipnei Ma," the source material for Copland's "Vitebsk."

5 Facts About Florence Price

1m 35s

Learn five facts about American composer Florence Price. Although she won a handful of awards for her work, Price struggled to find greater success, fighting against the twin issues of racism and sexism in the classical music industry. After dozens of her manuscripts were rediscovered in 2009, Florence Price has finally started to gain the success that eluded her during her lifetime.

5 Facts about Florence Price

1m 35s

Learn five facts about American composer Florence Price. Although she won a handful of awards for her work, Price struggled to find greater success, fighting against the twin issues of racism and sexism in the classical music industry. After dozens of her manuscripts were rediscovered in 2009, Florence Price has finally started to gain the success that eluded her during her lifetime.

The Lost Manuscripts of Composer Florence Price

4m 15s

Host Scott Yoo travels to the University of Arkansas with violinist Er-Gene Kahng and pianist Karen Walwyn to get an up-close look at classical music composer Florence Price's previously lost manuscripts.

Now Hear This "Amy Beach: American Romantic" Preview

30s

Host Scott Yoo and his wife, flutist Alice Dade, perform the work of Romantic era classical composer Amy Beach at Festival Mosaic and uncover Beach’s many musical influences. Featuring performances of Beach’s works, the duo visits places Beach took inspiration from throughout her life, including an artist residency at MacDowell in New Hampshire.

Amy Beach's "Hermit Thrush At Morn" and "Beach Romance"

3m

Scott Yoo and pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute play Amy Beach's "Hermit Thrush At Morn" and "Beach Romance" at MacDowell, an artist residency that the composer frequented during her life. This piece is an homage to the scenery and wildlife of Petersborough, New Hampshire.

Fire Shut Up In My Bones Preview

30s

Experience Grammy-winning composer Terence Blanchard and librettist Kasi Lemmon’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s memoir. James Robinson and Camille A. Brown co-direct with Brown also choreographing. Baritone Will Liverman stars with soprano Angel Blue.

Highlights: Fire Shut Up In My Bones

3m

Grammy-winning jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s memoir marks the Met’s first performance of an opera by a Black composer and its first production back in its theater following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Featuring a libretto by filmmaker Kasi Lemmons, the opera tells the story of a young man’s journey to overcome a life of trauma and hardship.

The Conductor Preview

30s

Follow Marin Alsop’s journey to become the first female music director of a major American symphony despite repeated rejection by the classical music industry. Features archival footage with her mentor Leonard Bernstein and is set to a soundtrack of her performances.

Tony Kushner and Rita Moreno Discuss "West Side Story"

4m 2s

Writer Tony Kushner and actress Rita Moreno discuss his winning screenplay for "West Side Story" as well as what went into reviving this classic tale for a modern audience.

Lily Tomlin Accepts Career Achievement Award

3m 19s

Lily Tomlin accepts the Career Achievement Award for her work in film and television at the Movies for Grownups Awards with AARP the Magazine. Lily Tomlin has led a storied career within the entertainment industry - earning eight Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Grammy Award.

Spotlighting Movies for Grownups Awards

1m 17s

First broadcast on PBS in 2018, Movies for Grownups Awards with AARP the Magazine returns for a fifth year to celebrate and encourage filmmaking with unique appeal to movie-lovers with a grownup state of mind—and recognize the inspiring artists who make them.

Supported by