New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Ray Chen

New Classical Tracks - Ray Chen

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, violinist Ray Chen explores the immersive nature of video game music on his new album ‘Player 1,’ with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Listen now!


Provided

Violinist Ray Chen blends the worlds of classical music and video games

In 'Beethoven Blues,' Jon Batiste reimagines classical compositions

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Terry Gross

Batiste re-imagines Beethoven compositions in his new album. It's "not that the original wasn't great and transcendent..." he says. "But there's also a lot of things since then that have happened."


Netflix

Jon Batiste finds the Blues in Beethoven

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 new, 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.


'Candles Burning Brightly'

Celebrating 150 Years of St. Olaf College

St. Olaf Christmas Festival

For one and a half centuries, St. Olaf College has been a hub of connections, knowledge and growth. And for more than a century, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival has been a cherished part of that history. Join us as we celebrate their legacy.


Enjoy 'St. Olaf Christmas Festival: Celebrating 150 Years of St. Olaf College'

Saturday Cinema - Dec. 7, 2024

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 kicks off December with music from classic and newer films that celebrate the holidays, including ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ ‘The Bishop’s Wife,’ ‘Little Women,’ ‘Home Alone’ and ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Listen now!


Hollywood Holiday kickoff

Friday Favorites - Dec. 6, 2024

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

Incredible musical talent (singer and multi-instrumentalist) and train enthusiast, Thomas Baker-Trinity joined Steve Staruch as the Project DJ co-host for this week’s ‘Friday Favorites.’ Listen now!


Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-host Thomas Baker-Trinity

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

Rhapsody in Black - 20241205

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

Whitney Houston’s musical legacy was recently celebrated in a concert tribute at the Kennedy Center. Her powerful voice soared through heart-rending pop ballads, and she could hold her own in an operatic aria, too. Find out more on the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


George Rose/Getty Images

The voice of Whitney Houston

Extra Eclectic - Dec. 4, 2024

Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg wanted to create sounds that hover in his Viola Concerto, and it seems he succeeded — as we hear in one of the showcased works on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!


Philip Gatward

Contemporary concertos

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Jeremy Denk

New Classical Tracks - Jeremy Denk

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks’ with host Julie Amacher, pianist Jeremy Denk collaborates with violinist Stefan Jackiw to highlight Charles Ives’ piano and violin sonatas in celebration of the composer’s 150th birth anniversary. Listen now!


Jeremy Denk celebrates Charles Ives' 150th anniversary with new album

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 2023 program, ‘Love, the Rose, Is on the Way.’


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