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Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Pamela Z

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

Pamela Z is a visionary artist who embraces new ideas about identity and technology in her music. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Pamela Z (11/19/17 solo voice & electronics)

Rhapsody in Black

Donald Swearingen

Pamela Z expands the boundaries of classical music

Extra Eclectic - June 25, 2025

In 2016, pianist Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra launched ‘Beethoven/5,’ commissioning five composers to write new piano concertos, each inspired by one of Beethoven’s. We hear two of those works on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now!


Extra Eclectic

Benjamin Ealovega

Beethoven as a beginning

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Jonathan Biss

New Classical Tracks - Jonathan Biss

Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wis. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Minnesota Public Radio in 1997 as an on-air host and also produces New Classical Tracks, a weekly podcast sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ with host Julie Amacher, pianist Jonathan Biss talks about his Beethoven concerto project with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, including the latest release featuring a new concerto by Sally Beamish. Listen now!


Piano Concerto No. 3 "City Stanzas": III. Rondo (Live)

New Classical Tracks® 

Jonathan Biss combines Beamish and Beethoven

Lunar Reflections: A Classical Journey Through the Phases of the Moon

Join host Melanie Renate for ‘Lunar Reflections,’ a program that offers a unique blend of classical music and mindfulness. Each lunar phase is paired with evocative classical works, which help guide listeners through moments of introspection, creativity and renewal. Listen now!


A plane flies past the moon at sunset on March 3, 2015, in London.

Holiday

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

‘It’s such a dream’: Top high school performers step out on Broadway

Sequoia Carrillo

With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year's top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.


José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR

'It's such a dream': Top high school performers step out on Broadway

Saturday Cinema - June 21, 2025

Lynne has been at this radio thing since 1984 when she fell into an historic job at KFAC AM and FM, the commercial classical station in Los Angeles.  She was the first woman staff announcer in the station's history, and it was such big news back then, it made the LA newspapers and national radio publications.  She is thrilled women in radio is no longer newsworthy.


Lynne Warfel

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel plays two hours of listeners’ requests for music from their favorite films and TV shows, including ‘My Fair Lady,’ ‘Jumanji’ and ‘Braveheart.’ Listen now!


Saturday Cinema

June listener requests

Friday Favorites - June 20, 2025

Tom Crann is heard on YourClassical MPR from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. Prior to rejoining the classical team at MPR, Tom was the host of All Things Considered for MPR News from 2005 to 2025, where he interviewed a wide range of public figures, including Minnesota's members of congress, politicians, experts, writers, and artists. He anchored Minnesota Public Radio's award-winning live coverage of the 35W bridge collapse. He has hosted other special coverage for MPR News, including live coverage of election nights since 2012.  He has been a host, producer, and interviewer for Minnesota Public Radio since 1995.   His work on MPR News has been recognized with an Eric Severeid award, a regional Edward R. Murrow award, and a National Headliner award. He has also hosted the international cultural broadcasts "Sounds Irish" and "The Last Night of the Proms," a co-production with the BBC. Tom began his career at MPR/APM as a classical host in 1995. In addition to his work at Minnesota Public Radio, Crann has spent more than 20 years hosting and producing classical music and cultural programs at public radio stations around the U.S, and for RTE/Lyric FM in Ireland, where he is still a contributor.


Tom Crann

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites: Remembering Alfred Brendel with some Schubert. Check. A celebratory anthem for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. Check. The signature aria from the great Pavarotti, and so much more! Listen now with host Tom Crann! 


Friday Favorites

Chris McDuffie/MPR News

Friday Favorites: Listener requests remembering Alfred Brendel with Tom Crann

Classical Queery – Part 3: Mari Esabel Valverde

Classical Queery – Part 3 – Experience

Classical Queery – Part 3 – Support

Classical Queery – Part 3 – Visibility

YourClassical Fellow

Mya Temanson

In celebration of Pride, host Mya Temanson presents Classical Queery, a series that illustrates how classical music can uplift queer voices and how queer experiences can transform the classical music scene. This week, composer and singer Mari Esabel Valverde answers the question: “How can you support the work of trans artists?”


St. Olaf Choir - "When Thunder Comes" - Mari Ésabel Valverde

Cantares - Mari Esabel Valverde

The Lady and the Tiger by Mari Ésabel Valverde | Matthew Valverde, tenor

her first snow | Mari Esabel Valverde

Pride Month

Veronique Kherian

Classical Queery: 'How can you support the work of trans artists?'

Rhapsody in Black - Terence Blanchard

In 2021, Terence Blanchard became the first Black composer to have an opera staged at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Whether it’s performing or composing jazz, film music and opera, he does it exceptionally well. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


Terence Blanchard has been a well-known figure since the 1980s.

Fire Shut Up in My Bones: “Peculiar Grace”

Muse Media

Terence Blanchard is a legend of jazz, film music, opera and more

Extra Eclectic - June 18, 2025

Iconoclastic and massively influential American composer Terry Riley celebrates his 90th birthday on June 24, and we honor him this week on ‘Extra Eclectic’ by devoting the entire first hour to a cross-section of his output. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


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