Poster John Birge
John Birge
MPR

Birge's Picks

YourClassical MPR host John Birge offers recommendations for Minnesota concerts, events and more.

Birge's Picks: A centennial or two

Birge's Picks: A centennial or two

Who’s the greatest Minnesotan? Judy Garland? F. Scott Fitzgerald? Kirby Puckett? Hubert Humphrey? All worthy. But ask any trumpet player, and they’ll tell you it’s Adolph “Bud” Herseth. Find out why in this week’s picks from John Birge.

Unique Yannick

Unique Yannick

From the Metropolitan Opera’s music director to Bill Murray, there are a wide variety of classical music-adjacent documentaries being released. Learn more in this week’s picks from host John Birge.

Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

Charles Schulz’s 100th birthday anniversary is next year, and the tributes are already rolling out. Learn more in this week’s picks from John Birge.

What's Going on?

What's Going on?

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s album ‘What’s Going On’ and hear a program from the SPCO honoring George Floyd’s life. Find out more in this week’s picks from John Birge.

Welcome back, Ludwig!

Welcome back, Ludwig!

Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebrations were postponed due to COVID-19, but the Minnesota Beethoven Festival is reigniting the festivities in 2021. Learn more in this week’s picks from John Birge.

Something's coming — finally!

Something's coming — finally!

This past weekend’s Oscar awards included the first trailer for Steven Spielberg’s new ‘West Side Story’ movie. In John Birge’s Picks for this week, explore more ‘West Side Story’-adjacent music and film.

Tiny Tim, Big Star

Tiny Tim, Big Star

This week’s picks from John Birge highlights Tiny Tim’s connections to Minnesota in light of a new documentary about the musician, opening in theaters on Friday.

Birge's Picks: Celebrate composer Adolphus Hailstork's birthday
Birge's Picks: Opera connections

Birge's Picks: Opera connections

Check out John Birge's picks for music, opera and more. From a coffee chain's opera connection to a song fit for presidential inaugurations, there's plenty of music and news to explore this week.

About Birge's Picks

YourClassical host John Birge offers recommendations for Minnesota concerts, events and more.