Classical Feature: Words and Music of Black America

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

This National Poetry Month, join host Andrea Blain for ‘Words and Music of Black America,’ a special featuring music with texts by Black poets. Listen now!


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'Words and Music of Black America'

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20260408

New Classical Tracks - 20260408

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,’ composer Sarah Kirkland Snider presents an album of orchestral works. The recording features the Metropolis Ensemble with Artistic Director and conductor Andrew Cyr. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Anja Schutz

Sarah Kirkland Snider presents an album of only orchestral works

Minnesota Orchestra - March 27, 2026

Minnesota Orchestra - March 20, 2026

Violinist Leila Josefowicz and conductor John Storgårds join the Minnesota Orchestra for a program featuring music by Antheil, Tchaikovsky and Adams. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Friday, April 10, on YourClassical MPR.


Frank Merchlewitz

Leila Josefowicz and the Minnesota Orchestra perform John Adams

Extra Eclectic - April 6, 2026

It’s a rhapsodic reflection on the idea of time in the first hour of the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel shares Chris Rogerson’s ‘Thirty Thousand Days,’ Paul Fowler’s ‘Breath’ and other selections. Listen now!


Sophie Zhai

The passage of time

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

Join Steve Seel for an Easter celebration with the complete performance of Handel's ‘Messiah,’ performed by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, conductor Dinis Sousa, an all-star roster of vocal soloists, and the Singers. Listen to the concert now!


SPCO

Listen: Celebrate Easter with the SPCO's performance of Handel's 'Messiah'

Saturday Cinema - April 4, 2026

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 Biblical and historical epic films, including ‘The Ten Commandments,’ ‘The Story of Ruth,’ ‘Demetrius and the Gladiators’ and more. Listen now!


Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Biblical and ancient epics

Going up! ‘Elevator Songs’ is a high-concept, emotionally turbulent ride

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Tom Huizenga

On a new album, the experimental vocal group Roomful of Teeth and songwriter Gabriel Kahane take up residence in a multidimensional hotel with a time-traveling elevator and a quirky clientele.


Going up! 'Elevator Songs' is a high-concept, emotionally turbulent ride

The surprising feminist history of baseball’s biggest anthem

Chloe Veltman

There's a lot more to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" than "peanuts and Cracker Jack."



Library of Congress

The surprising feminist history of baseball's biggest anthem

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

Rhapsody in Black - Randall Goosby

Randall Goosby has been playing violin since he was seven, including studying with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the trajectory of his career shows no signs of slowing down. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Kaupo Kikkas

Violinist Randall Goosby enjoys meteoric rise but remains grounded

Bach Society: Gloria!

Bach Society: Mattias Maute Interview

Bach Society: Alan Choo Interview

On March 29, the Bach Society presented a concert featuring soloist Alan Choo in Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’ and his lesser-known Gloria RV 588. Listen to the concert now!


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