Plot Synopsis

Presented by GREAT PERFORMANCES, each four-episode season of NOW HEAR THIS follows violinist and chief conductor of the Mexico City Philharmonic Scott Yoo, as he discovers the secret stories behind some of the greatest classical music. Each one-hour episode traces the creation of different masterworks -- and explores the composer's profound, lasting cultural impact -- while merging music, storytelling, travel and culture.

The sophomore season of NOW HEAR THIS premiered on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings). In the season opener, "Haydn: King of Strings," host Scott Yoo discovers how Haydn borrowed folk music from Scotland, Hungary and Austria to create his "Emperor Quartet." Along the way, he and guest violinist Geoff Nuttall reveal how Haydn created the string quartet format, providing an inside look and deeper appreciation for the genre. Haydn went on to write more great string quartets than any other composer.

Season 3 of NOW HEAR THIS debuted on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings). The new season follows Scott Yoo as he travels the United States to uncover the musical influences of some of America's most prominent composers: Amy Beach, Florence Price and Aaron Copland. The documentary miniseries also spotlights two contemporary composers weaving the traditional music of their heritage into their compositions: Brazilian-born Sergio Assad and Indian American Reena Esmail. In the season opener, "Amy Beach: American Romantic," 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, where she wrote "Hermit Thrush at Morn," "Hermit Thrush at Evening" and more. Along the way, Yoo and Dade also explore the works of European female composers and musicians Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Louise Farrenc, and even stop to discover the music in the vineyards of California.

On Friday, April 7, 2023 at 9pm (check local listings), PBS premiered the fourth season of NOW HEAR THIS. In Season 4, Yoo shines a spotlight on the collaborative process and the source of creative inspiration while exploring the backgrounds of tango's Astor Piazzolla, the Romantic era's Robert Schumann, steel pianist and composer Andy Akiho and flamenco's Isaac Albeniz. Showcasing the talents of artists around the world including pianist and Schumann expert Dr. Richard Kogan, cellist Bion Tsang, flutist Alice Dade, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and many more.
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Season 5 of NOW HEAR THIS debuted on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 9pm on PBS (check local listings). Join Scott Yoo, renowned violinist and conductor of the Mexico City Philharmonic, on a voyage of music discovery in NOW HEAR THIS. Explore new stories of gifted young artists, virtuosos, unique collaborations, and Yoo's experiences as a composer. In the season opener, "Rising Stars," Yoo revisits Julliard Pre-College to play with some of tomorrow's virtuosos, then travels to Singapore to meet rising star Chloe Chua, reminding him of the dedication and passion required to prepare for a professional career.