The Midday

Duo Pianists Stanislava Varshavski and Diana Shapiro perform live from Farley's House of Pianos in Madison. Both pianists hold Bachelor and Master's degrees from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and in 2011 both completed Doctoral degree studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They've performed together since 1998. Pianists Stanislava Varshavski and Diana Shapiro with Norman Gilliland (Photo by Connie Beam)

The ETHEL Quartet with three-time Grammy Award winner and Native American flutist Robert Mirabal will be performing in the Shannon Hall at the Wisconsin Union in Madison on April 25. Founded in 1998, they recently released an album called "The River." Norman talks to cellist and founding member Dorthy Lawson and Robert Mirabal. Cellist Dorothy Lawson and Flutist Robert Mirabal (WPR Studio photo by Allen Rieland)

Norman welcomes soprano Emily Birsan who will be performing the title role of Madison Opera's Rusalka on April 26 and 28 at the Overture Center in Madison. Ms. Birsan earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence Conservatory in Appleton and her Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Music. Soprano Emily Birsan (WPR Studio photo by Allen Rieland)

Norman talks to English recorder virtuoso Piers Adams about his Madison debut with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performing concertos by Georg Telemann and English composer, David Bedford on Friday, April 19 in the Capitol Theater in Madison. He tours with his baroque quartet Red Priest. Piers Adams (WPR Studio photo by Allen Rieland)

Norman takes today's program to Music Hall on the UW-Madison campus for a live recitals by three ensembles from the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras . Introducing the performers is Karl Lavine, Chamber Music Program Director. Pieces performed include the last movement from Beethoven's String Quartet No. 9, Schubert's Quintet in C and the first movement from Mendelssohn's String Quartet in F minor.

Pianist Marc-André Hamelin joins Norman to talk about his upcoming performance of Strauss' "Burleske in D minor" and Ravel's "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G Major" with the Madison Symphony Orchestra , John DeMain conducting, at the Overture Center in Madison on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 12-14. Mr. Hamelin has released almost 80 albums and has been nominated for a Grammy nine times. He is the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the German Record Critic’s Association and has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Québec, and a member of the Royal Society of Canada. The Canadian native currently lives in Boston. Norman Gilliland with pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin in WPR Studio (Photo by Peter Rodgers)

Norman welcomes harpsichordist and pianist Trevor Stephenson to the Midday. In addition to being a versatile musician, Stephenson is the Artistic Director of the Wisconsin-based Madison Bach Musicians . The Madison Bach Musicians will be performing an all-Mozart program on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 at First Congregational Church in Madison.

Norman welcomes the director of the Wisconsin Flute Festival , Danielle Breisach and this year's featured artist Bonita Boyd to the studio. This annual festival will be held on Saturday, April 6 at the UW-Madison Pyle Center

Pianists Jessica Chow Shinn & Michael Shinn join Norman is the WPR studios in Madison. Both pianists are currently on the faculty at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. They'll be performing Thomas Cabaniss' "Double Rainbow" as part of the Masterworks Series of performances by the Madison Chamber Orchestra on Friday, March 22 at the Capitol Theater in Madison. Also being performed that evening are Schoenberg's "Verklarte Nacht, Op. 4" and Haydn's "Symphony No. 58 in F major."

Norman welcomes cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han to the studio. They will be artistic advisors and performers for the Wisconsin Union Theater as it celebrates its Concert Series' 100th anniversary. They talk about the music and other artists involved in the celebration.