New album honors the National Symphony Orchestra, snubs Trump's Kennedy Center changes

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

Justin Barney

Pop pianist Ben Folds' new record is a celebration of the National Symphony Orchestra, and a protest against President Trump's changes at the Kennedy Center.


Alysse Gafkjen

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

Rhapsody in Black - Cassie Kinoshi

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

Akshaj Turebylu

Cassie Kinoshi has taken on the role of musical mad scientist by mixing together Black American jazz, West African and Caribbean rhythms, and Western classical music in a process of compositional nuclear fusion. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Aurore Fouchez

Cassie Kinoshi creates vibrant musical landscapes

Extra Eclectic - July 16, 2025

Forms of repetition are explored on this week’s episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ We hear selections including ‘Divine Objects’ from Johann Johannsson’s ‘Drone Mass,’ the ‘Chaconni’ from Jennifer Higdon’s Violin Concerto, John Corigliano’s ‘Fantasia on an Ostinato’ and much more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


OK Mozart Festival/OK Mozart Festival

Music that bears repeating

Is John Williams the greatest film composer of all time?

Marc Rivers

Scott Detrow

Robin Hilton

There are certain bars of music that put people in a specific headspace - and many of them come from our favorite films, where composer John Williams matched his iconic themes with magic movie moments.


Michael Kovac/Getty Images

Saturday Cinema - July 12, 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 celebrates Bastille Day with a show dedicated to movies set in, made in or about France, including ‘Umbrellas of Cherbourg,’ ‘Irma Le Douce,’ ‘Casablanca’ and more. Listen now!


Bastille Day

Bob Mondello

The Library of Congress' new collection includes more than 5,000 items from the Broadway legend, including ideas for Sweeney Todd lyrics and notes for Glynis Johns as she sang "Send in the Clowns."


Shawn Miller/Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim Collection, Music Division

Take a peek at Stephen Sondheim's papers, now at the Library of Congress

Rhapsody in Black - Andre 3000

Hip-hop artist and composer André 3000 released his latest album, ‘New Blue Sun,’ in 2023. The album revolves around compositions with wind instruments and is a result of his need to explore the many influences around him, both jazz and classical. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Emma McIntyre

Andre 3000 is a musician who never stops exploring

Extra Eclectic - July 9, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Bonnie North shares a program of modern dance music, including polonaises by Thomas Ades, excerpts from Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Blues Symphony,’ Stephen Jaffe’s ‘Light Dances’ and more. Listen now!


Marco Borggreve

Dance party with guest host Bonnie North

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Takács Quartet

New Classical Tracks - Takacs 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 Takács Quartet celebrates its 50th anniversary with a recording featuring Marc-André Hamelin on piano quintets by Dvořák and Price. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Amanda Tipton

Takacs Quartet and Marc-Andre Hamelin celebrate the ensemble's 50th anniversary

Tom Huizenga

The venerated string quartet makes a stop on its 50th anniversary tour to play music from the dawn of the string quartet era right up to the present.


Listen

Stories