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

Rhapsody in Black - Sheku Kenneh-Mason

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

At 19, Sheku Kanneh-Mason became the first Black musician to win BBC Young Musician of the Year. He continues to focus on what is most important to him: the music, the cello and music education. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Yoke Creative/Decca Classics

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a young and promising classical music superstar 

Extra Eclectic - April 2, 2025

This episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ features music about caring for one another, including ‘Put Your Loving Arms Around Me’ from John Adams’ ‘Gnarly Buttons,’ Andy Akiho’s ‘Belonging’ and Terry Riley’s ‘Be Kind to One Another.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!



Da Ping Luo

Togetherness

Minnesota Orchestra - March 28, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - March 14, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - March 7, 2025

Conductor Marta Gardolińska and pianist Behzod Abduraimov team up with the Minnesota Orchestra for a program featuring music by Bacewicz, Chopin and Beethoven. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, on YourClassical MPR.


Chris Christodoulou / BBC

Minnesota Orchestra welcomes Marta Gardolińska and Behzod Abduraimov

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Orion Weiss

New Classical Tracks - Orion Weiss

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,’ pianist Orion Weiss concludes a trilogy 11 years in the making with an album featuring the music of Brahms, Schubert, Dohnanyi, Ligeti and more. Listen now!


Jacob Blickenstaff

Orion Weiss concludes his 'Arc' trilogy with music of joy, youth and rebirth

YourClassical Storytime - 'A Visit to the Aquarium'

Take a trip to the aquarium on the April episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Melanie Renate, music by Camille Saint-Saëns and original artwork by Mia Jennings. Listen now!


'A Visit to the Aquarium'

Interview: Ahmed Anzaldua on 'Oceana'

Host John Birge speaks with Ahmed Anzaldúa, artistic director of Border CrosSing, about the ensemble’s upcoming performance of Osvaldo Golijov’s ‘Oceana’ at the Ordway in St. Paul at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Listen now!


Ana Michelle Gonzalez

Border CrosSing presents Golijov's 'Oceana' cantata

Saturday Cinema - March 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

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares a recap of of Oscar winners from this year as well as a retrospective of significant Oscar winners. Selections include music from ‘The Color Purple,’ ‘Jaws,’ ‘Cleopatra’ and more. Listen now!


Oscar memories

Friday Favorites - March 28, 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

Jenna Kavouras, the Project DJ co-host for this week’s episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ is a natural in front of the microphone. She had an experience of writing and performing her first composition, a piece for wind orchestra. It led to an experience of “wow!” Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Steve Staruch | MPR

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-host Jenna Kavouras

MTT's last concerts

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Greg Allen

With a recurrence of cancer, famed conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is ending his musical career. One of his final concerts is in Miami Beach, where he'll lead the orchestral academy he helped found.


Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Famed conductor Michael Tilson Thomas holds last concerts

Rhapsody in Black - Black Violin

The award-winning string duo Black Violin has been mixing classical and hip-hop for over 20 years. The group’s goal is to make the violin and viola sound naturally and unabashedly Black. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


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