Silver Jubilee / Show 456

About

We are celebrating From the Top’s 25th birthday! You’ll hear festive performances of Gershwin, Beethoven, Chopin, and more. We’ll get to know a 13-year-old violinist who is equally accomplished in classical repertoire and fiddling, meet a 16-year-old pianist who has already contributed to writing a published book, and witness a life-changing surprise. We also reconnect with From the Top alum Yuna Langehennig and learn about her journey to becoming an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band. She brings along her wind ensemble Heritage Winds and they perform a rousing work by Paquito D’Rivera. Join us in celebrating 25 years of supporting gifted young musicians!

Performers & Repertoire

• Violinist Maxwell Brown, 13, from Wilmington, Delaware

  Prelude No. 1 by George Gershwin (1898-1937), arr. Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987)
• Pianist Sophia Shao, 16, from New York, New York

  Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3, I. Presto by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
• United States Air Force Heritage of America Band’s Heritage Winds (featuring alum Yuna Langehennig, flute)

  Aires Tropicales, I. Alborad and II. Son by Paquito D'Rivera (b. 1948)
• Cellist Bhargava Kulkarni, 16, from Okemos, Michigan

  Excerpts from Polonaise Brillante for Cello and Piano, Op. 3 by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
• Bassoonist Jorge Cruz-Hernandez, 16, from Hoffman Estates, Illinois with his teacher Andrew Marlin, bassoon

  Bassoon Concerto in C Major, RV 467, I. Allegro and II. Andante by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), arr. Andrew Marlin
• Flashback Finale: Guest Artist Paquito D’Rivera and 18-year-old clarinetist Noah Stone from Westwood, Massachusetts

  Vals Venezolano by Paquito D'Rivera (b. 1948), recorded in 2020

Release Date

• Monday, January 6, 2025

Release date is when this show is released to NPR stations, here on our website, and to our podcast. Shows are released on a weekly basis; please check your local NPR station listing for the actual airtime in your market. If you'd like, you can visit NPR's "Find Stations" page to look for your station.