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In order to have conversations — start by singing

Katia Riddle

To foster equity and community, people gather several times a year to sing together in Portland, Oregon. The woman behind this effort has twice been nominated for a Grammy in music education.


In order to have conversations -- start by singing

Chad Lanning for Portland State University

Violinist Esther Abrami uncovers 'hidden treasure' of music by women

Olivia Hampton

French violinist and social media influencer Esther Abrami releases her new album, Women, featuring music by female composers in a bid to redress historic biases.


Esther Abrami, Esther Abrami Ensemble - Ilse Weber: Wiegala (Official Video)

Hauskonzerte

Luke Kirby on 'Etoile', a show set in the world of ballet dancers in New York and Paris

Martha Ann Overland

Lauren Frayer

NPR's Lauren Frayer speaks with Luke Kirby of TV's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" about his role in the new show "Etoile." Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino wrote both shows.


Philippe Antonello/Prime Video

Saturday Cinema - April 26, 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,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate April birthdays in the world of film, including James Garner, Andre Previn, Charlie Chaplin, Miklos Rozsa and Henry Mancini. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema

More April birthays

Friday Favorites - April 25, 2025

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

Guest host Julie Amacher fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now! 


Julie Amacher - DO NOT USE; see update in Rights Notes, below

Theme & Variations

YourClassical MPR

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with guest host Julie Amacher

Two recent releases celebrate the music and legacy of bass-baritone Paul Robeson

Lloyd Schwartz

On Robeson, opera singer Davóne Tines pays tribute to the musician often remembered for singing "Ol' Man River." Tines' album pairs well with the 14-CD album Paul Robeson: Voice of Freedom.



2 recent releases celebrate the music and legacy of bass-baritone Paul Robeson

Keystone Features | Getty Images 1958

Extra Eclectic - April 23, 2025

This Saturday, Michael Tilson Thomas will make his final public appearance conducting the San Francisco Symphony, which he led for 25 years. He is a longtime advocate for modern classical music, and on this episode of Extra Eclectic, we honor his life and career. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


Black-and-white headshot of Michael Tilson Thomas

Extra Eclectic

Brigette Lacombe

A final bow for a maverick

Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words

Mindy Ratner is a host and producer on the Classical Music Service of Minnesota Public Radio, where she is heard on weekends. She began her career in public broadcasting following her graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working first for the local public television station and then for Wisconsin Public Radio. She moved on to stations in Cincinnati and Philadelphia before joining Minnesota Public Radio in 1983. In 1998 and '99, Ratner took a leave of absence to work as a music host and producer for China Radio International in Beijing. Her spare time is devoted to international travel; folk, ballroom and contradancing; singing in the Minnesota Chorale; her two cats, and trying to stay ahead of the weeds in her garden.


Mindy Ratner

Classical music host Mindy Ratner has gathered a collection of conversations with some of those touched directly by the Holocaust. Listen now to 'Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.'


Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Listen: 'Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words'

New Classical Tracks (extended interview) - Joanne Polk

New Classical Tracks - January  8, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ with host Julie Amacher, pianist Joanne Polk releases the second volume of her recordings featuring the music of French composer and pianist Cécile Chaminade. Listen now!


Scaramouche, Op. 56

New Classical Tracks® 

Jeffrey Langford

Joanne Polk returns to the exquisite music of Cécile Chaminade

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - Handel's 'Messiah'

Join Steve Seel for an Easter celebration with the complete performance of Handel's ‘Messiah,’ performed by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley, an all-star roster of vocal soloists, and the Singers. Listen to the concert now!


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