The Violin Today
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 6:30 pm
Daniel and Joanna S. Rose Studio at CMS
1 hour 30 minutes, no intermission
Fred Child, popular host of the American Public Media radio program Performance Today, moderates what promises to be a lively discussion between the dynamic violinist Bella Hristova, prolific composer for the violin David Serkin Ludwig, and the incomparable contemporary violin maker Samuel Zygmuntowicz. The combined perspectives of players, composer, luthier, and classical music media personality will provide a vivid picture of the violin’s role in today’s musical scene, as well as pointing directly toward the future of majestic violin tradition.
Fred Child
Fred Child is the host of American Public Media's Performance Today, the most listened-to classical music radio show in America.
He is also the commentator and announcer for Live from Lincoln Center. He appears at classical music festivals and events around the country, from PT's annual residency at the Aspen Music Festival and School, to special events at the Savannah Music festival, Marlboro Music, the Spoleto Festival USA, and Summerfest La Jolla. Beyond the world of classical music, he hosted NPR's innovative Creators@Carnegie, a program of wide-ranging performers in concert, including Brian Wilson, David Byrne, Dawn Upshaw, Youssou N'Dour, Caetano Veloso, and Emmylou Harris. Before going to NPR, he was Music Director and Director of Cultural Programming at WNYC, host of a live daily performance and interview program on WNYC, and for 10 years, a host at Oregon Public Broadcasting. In recent years, he has hosted a series of unique live national concert broadcasts, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic from Walt Disney Hall, Last Night of the Proms from the Royal Albert Hall in London, New Year's concerts by the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood, “Spring for Music” concerts from Carnegie Hall, and the “Americana” series for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. His music reviews have appeared on NPR's All Things Considered, and his music reports have appeared on NPR's Morning Edition and Weekend Edition.