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Concerts at the Library of Congress at 100

Tom Huizenga

For a century, the tiny Coolidge Auditorium, at the Library of Congress, has been a wellspring of cultural integrity, innovative music and American ingenuity. (And free concerts.)


One of music's best kept secrets celebrates 100 years, quietly

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

Rhapsody in Black - Tosin Abasi

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

Guitarist Tosin Abasi uses the influences of punk, funk, jazz and classical to forge a voice that doesn’t fit into any single category. He’s one of the most innovative guitarists alive today. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Rhapsody in Black - 20251023

Black-and-white photo of a man playing electric guitar in front of stage lights

Rhapsody in Black

Tosin Abasi is a guitar trailblazer

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 22, 2025

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Steve Seel brings us a classical-jazz dialogue, including jazz harpist Brandee Younger’s ‘Essence of Ruby,’ Joel Puckett’s Trumpet Concerto and music by Thelonius Monk and Wynton Marsalis. Listen now!


Extra Eclectic

Classical meets jazz

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Mahan Esfahani

New Classical Tracks - Mahan Esfahani

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,’ harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani brings the first book of J.S. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ to life on his latest recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


A man leaps playfully in front of a mural in Spitalfields, London

Bach: The well-tempered Clavier Book 1 - Prelude No 15 in G major, BWV860/1 - Mahan Esfahani

New Classical Tracks® 

Harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani honors Bach on latest recording

Saturday Cinema - Oct. 18, 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 October birthdays in the world of film, including Jack Warner, Peter O’Toole, Maureen O’Hara, Gene Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and more. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema

October birthdays

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 15, 2025

No, 2025 isn’t over, but that’s not stopping us from pausing to take stock of some of our favorite releases and discoveries of the year on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel shares music by Reena Esmail, Shirley Thompson and more. Listen now!


Recent discoveries and new favorites

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Paavo Jarvi

New Classical Tracks - Paavo Jarvi

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ conductor Paavo Järvi leads the Estonian Festival Orchestra in music by Arvo Pärt in honor of the Estonian composer’s 90th birthday. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


A casually dressed man poses for a portrait while standing in V-shaped concrete feature

Estonian Lullaby (Version for Choir and String Orchestra)

Paavo Jarvi and the Estonian Festival Orchestra celebrate Arvo Part

The Chopin Society: William Yang

On Sunday, Sept. 14, Twin Cities native William Yang performed an all-Chopin concert at Macalester College as part of the Chopin Society’s 42nd season. Listen to the concert in celebration of Yang winning 6th prize at the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland!


Pianist William Yang at the International Chopin Piano Competition

William Yang performs an all-Chopin concert at the Chopin Society

Yo-Yo Ma takes his cello outdoors to explore how music connects us to nature

Mallory Yu

Scott Detrow

NPR's Scott Detrow talks with Ana Gonzalez and cellist Yo-Yo Ma about their new podcast 'Our Common Nature' from WNYC, which connects music with nature and place.


Yo-Yo Ma takes his cello outdoors to explore how music connects us to nature


A man smiles while playing cello outdoors

To celebrate opera composer Giuseppi Verdi, fans gather at his statue in New York City

Jeff Lunden

Fans of "La traviata," "Aida," and "Otello" creator Giuseppi Verdi met at his statue in New York City Friday to mark 212 years since his birth.
