{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"","type":"text"}]}]}

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

Hosted by Mindy Ratner, ‘Candles Burning Brightly’ is a one-hour celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of holiday foods and traditional activities — and plenty of music. 


Candles Burning Brightly 2021

Hosted by Mindy Ratner, Candles Burning Brightly is a one-hour celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of holiday foods and traditional activities … and plenty of music.

Candles Burning Brightly

Listen to YourClassical MPR’s broadcast of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Oct. 30 concert, featuring pianist Jeremy Denk. The program included pieces by Mozart and a fiendishly difficult and zany string quartet by Sky Macklay.


SPCO_20211030

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Oct. 30

The SPCO

Paul Crosby

Listen: Jeremy Denk joins the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, including hosting Music with Minnesotans, Regional Spotlight and Friday Favorites. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, N.Y. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

The Four Voices String Quartet is preparing for its first live concert in more than a year — 7 p.m. Thursday at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. The program, Departures, will feature works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and by multiple Grammy winner Maria Schneider. Steve Staruch spoke with the group’s cellist, Rebecca Arons, about the event.


Steve Staruch interviews the Four Voices String Quartet about their upcoming concert on Thursday Oct. 28.

Four Voices String Quartet

Courtesy

Four Voices String Quartet returns to live concerts with ‘Departures’

Ines Guanchez is an assistant digital producer for classical. An accomplished pianist, she founded Dúo Ávila with fellow Venezuelan violinist Sofia Schutte. The ensemble focuses on music by composers outside of the classical canon and has performed in venues in Minnesota and Costa Rica. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with master’s degrees in mass communications and piano performance. She previously interned for Minnesota Public Radio in 2018.


Ines Guanchez

Did you know that you can listen to all of YourClassical's music streams on your mobile device? Here's how to download and use the recently released YourClassical app.


Listen to the YourClassical app on your mobile device

Just before packing his bags for Poland, 22-year-old Minneapolis pianist Evren Ozel played an all-Chopin program for a sold-out house at the Ordway Concert Hall in St. Paul. Listen now to his recital, which was recorded Sept. 12, 2021, with host Melissa Ousley.


Pianist Evren Ozel performs an all-Chopin recital at the Ordway, recorded Sept. 12, 2021.

Evren Ozel - Chopin Piano Recital

Provided

Listen: Pianist Evren Ozel performs an all-Chopin recital at the Ordway

Producer

Meghann Oglesby

Meghann Oglesby hosts the new special ‘Wondrous Strange.’ Whether it's the theremin, octobass or contrabass flute, listeners will explore instruments that are off the beaten track and the musicians who play them.


Wondrous Strange

Xavier von Erlach/Unsplash

'Wondrous Strange' explores unusual sounds in music

A group of musicians and scientists have used artificial intelligence to complete one of the great what-ifs in classical music: Ludwig van Beethoven's unfinished 10th symphony.


Listen to the Story

NPR/W.J. Mähler

Team uses AI to complete Beethoven's unfinished masterpiece

On June 29, Adam Golka performed at the 14th annual Minnesota Beethoven Festival at Page Theater, St. Mary’s University in Winona. Melissa Ousley brings you that live performance from a Sept. 23 airing on YourClassicalMPR.


A past performance from the Minnesota Beethoven Festival on June 29, 2021 featuring Adam Golka.


Minnesota Beethoven Festival - Adam Golka

Listen Stories

Jeurgen Frank

Pianist Adam Golka performs at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival

Listen to clarinetist Julian Bliss' debut at the 2019 Minnesota Beethoven Festival, featuring works by Poulenc, Bernstein, Finzi and more.


Minnesota Beethoven Festival: Julian Bliss

Courtesy of the artist

Listen to clarinetist Julian Bliss' performance at the 2019 Minnesota Beethoven Festival

On June 27, The Pacifica Quartet opened the 14th annual Minnesota Beethoven Festival at Page Theater, St. Mary’s University in Winona. Julie Amacher brings you that live performance from a Sept. 2 airing on YourClassicalMPR.


A past performance from the Minnesota Beethoven Festival on June 27, 2021 featuring the Pacifica Quartet.