Minnesota Opera - Glam Jam

Join YourClassical MPR as we present an encore broadcast of Minnesota Opera’s Glam Jam, a concert featuring some of the most captivating performers from the Minnesota Opera stage. Listen now!


Provided

Listen: Minnesota Opera presents Glam Jam

Before Bach's Birthday Bash - March 15, 2023

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

Did you miss Before Bach's Birthday Bash on Saturday with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone? This year's celebration included five free, hourlong concerts at venues in St. Paul. Listen to the first concert now!


Listen: Before Bach's Birthday Bash in St. Paul

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

Rhapsody in Black - Duke Ellington

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

Pianist, composer and innovator Duke Ellington is famous today for his jazz and swing music. However, he had a few other visions kicking around in his toolbox, including some memorable suites such as ‘The Queen’s Suite.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Duke Ellington defied mid-20th century labels with 'The Queen's Suite'

Extra Eclectic - March 20, 2025

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ honors Sofia Gubaidulina, the groundbreaking Russian composer who died last week at 93. As part of our celebration of Women’s History Month, host Steve Seel shares one of her best known works, ‘Offertorium.’ Listen now! 


Michael Robinson Chavez/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Honoring Sofia Gubaidulina

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Janoska Ensemble

New Classical Tracks - Janoska Ensemble

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 critiquing a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays and 5:15 p.m. Fridays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ with host Julie Amacher, the Janoska ensemble gives Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’ a makeover in its signature style. Listen now!


Andreas Bitesnich

Janoska Ensemble gives 'The Four Seasons' a makeover

Minnesota Orchestra - March 14, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - March 7, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - February 28, 2025

On Friday, March 14, Tabita Berglund led the Minnesota Orchestra in music by Tabakova and Schubert, as well as Beethoven’s Violin Concerto featuring concertmaster Erin Keefe. Listen to the concert now!


Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Listen: Erin Keefe and the Minnesota Orchestra play Beethoven

Saturday Cinema - March 15, 2025

Ward Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted with authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers. He is also a past winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Jacobson's love of classical music stems from a childhood influenced by his bass-baritone father and piano-teaching mother. While still a college student in Nebraska, he began singing with the Abendmusik Chorus and took part in concert tours to venues as varied as Englands Lincoln Cathedral, the Vatican, Salzburg Cathedral, Auschwitz and Moscow. When not singing, he works to develop his guitar-strumming repertoire.


Ward Jacobson

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ beware the Ides of March! Guest host Ward Jacobson shares a Shakespeare-themed lineup with music from ‘Julius Caesar,’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and more. Listen now!


The Ides of March with guest host Ward Jacobson

Friday Favorites - March 14, 2025

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

Mark Scannell is the Project DJ Plus co-host on this episode of ‘Friday Favorites.’ Mark is retired, but you wouldn’t know that from his many activities: he’s a published author, life coach and a softball umpire, among many other things. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ Plus co-host Mark Scannell

The pulsating energy of composer Steve Reich  

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Tom Huizenga

The 88-year-old composer, who talks as fast as the interlocking phrases of his music, looks back on crucial moments in a career that moved minimalism into the mainstream.


Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

Steve Reich has always been able to hear the pulse

Distinguished Rebels: Gabriela Montero

Distinguished Rebels: Marin Alsop

Distinguished Rebels: Chiquinha Gonzaga

Distinguished Rebels: JoAnn Falletta

Distinguished Rebels: Ethel Smyth

Distinguished Rebels: Valerie Coleman

Distinguished Rebels: Maud Powell

Distinguished Rebels: Florence Price

Distinguished Rebels: Fanny Mendelssohn

Distinguished Rebels: Hazel Scott

Distinguished Rebels: Lara St. John

Distinguished Rebels: Tine Thing Helseth

Distinguished Rebels: Lara Downes

Distinguished Rebels: Germaine Tailleferre

For Women's History Month, we're sharing the stories of women who have changed the face of classical music. Learn more in ‘Distinguished Rebels,’ featuring voices from behind the microphone and behind the scenes at YourClassical.


Listen: Stories

Stories