New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - December 3, 2025

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Joshua Gindele_Miro Quartet

New Classical Tracks - Joshua Gindele_Miro Quartet

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,’ the renowned Miró Quartet continues its 30th-anniversary celebration with its latest album, a holiday-themed recording featuring arrangements by 15 contemporary composers. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Jeff Wilson

The Miro Quartet celebrates 30 years with a holiday recording

Christmas at Luther

Longtime music host and performer Andrea Blain presents classical music programming including national specials, opera and other live broadcasts and holiday programs. She also is part of a team that works on content and scripting for ‘Rhapsody in Black’ and has voiced several episodes of YourClassical Storytime.


Andrea Blain

Each December, the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, rings out with the sacred and the exuberant: the sounds of the Christmas season. Enjoy the 2024 program, ‘Seeking Refuge for a Weary World.’


Christmas at Luther: 'Seeking Refuge for a Weary World'

Minnesota Orchestra - November 21, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - November 14, 2025

Find out what makes the Minnesota Orchestra sound so great in this concert featuring Joseph Haydn’s ‘Sinfonia concertante,’ Caroline Shaw’s ‘Entr'acte,’ and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, on YourClassical MPR.


Marco Borggreve

Minnesota Orchestra performs Dvorak's 'New World Symphony'

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - Sept. 12, 2025

Celebrate the holidays with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra annual performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ featuring an all-star roster of vocal soloists, vocal ensemble The Singers, and conductor Dinis Sousa. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, on YourClassical MPR.


Provided

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

'Candles Burning Brightly'

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

A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Hosted by Mindy Ratner, ‘Candles Burning Brightly’ features lots of music from Jewish communities worldwide, a hilarious lesson on preparing a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.


St. Olaf Christmas Festival - Our Hope for Years to Come

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. This year's presentation, ‘Our Hope for Years to Come,’ features more than 500 student musicians. Listen now. 


St. Olaf Christmas Festival: 'Our Hope for Years to Come'

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. This year's presentation, ‘O Morning Star, O Radiant Love,’ features more than 500 student musicians in three performances at Northfield college, including a livestream of one of them that you can watch here at 2:45 p.m. central Sunday, Dec. 7.


Watch the 2025 St. Olaf Christmas Festival, live Sunday from Northfield

'Every Good Thing'

'Songs of Thanks' with Cantus

'Welcome Christmas'

A Chanticleer Christmas

'The Sound of Cinnamon'

We have a variety of classical specials for the holiday season, from Christmas to New Year’s Day. Listen to them any time that's convenient using this comprehensive listing.


Jamie Street/Unsplash

Listen to our 2025 winter holiday specials on demand

Saturday Cinema - Nov. 29, 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

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares music from listeners’ most-requested films and composers, including ‘Schindler’s List,’ ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Apollo 13.’ Listen now! 


Top listener requests

Vote now to create YourClassical Christmas Favorites, a one-hour holiday special highlighting the top carols based on your votes with hosts Tom Crann and Jake Armerding.


Listen

Stories