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'

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

Rhapsody in Black - Wynton Marsalis

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

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is internationally known for his outstanding career in jazz. Many don’t know that he has also found success in classical music.  Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


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Wynton Marsalis has jazz and classical chops

Extra Eclectic - April 9, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’: National Poetry Month is an opportunity to explore modern classical sounds that set poetry. Host Steve Seel features works by John Adams, Caroline Shaw and others — in settings of the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver and more. Listen now!


Dayna Szyndrowski

Poetry inspires

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and John Churchwell

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 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,’ countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and pianist John Churchwell present music by Korngold, Brahms, and Clara and Robert Schumann, as heard on their most recent recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Fadi Kheir / Carnegie Hall

Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen goes where no countertenor has gone before

Saturday Cinema - April 5, 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 April Fool’s Day by sharing music from great film comedies and romantic comedies, including ‘The Pink Panther,’ ‘The Odd Couple’ and ‘The Great Race.’ Listen now!


April Fools

Friday Favorites - April 4, 2025

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. 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, New York. 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

Amy Leopold, the Project DJ co-host for this week’s episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ will graduate in May with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica. A native of Duluth, she is proud of her hometown and family roots on the north shore. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-host Amy Leopold

Rhapsody in Black - Sheku Kenneh-Mason

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

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Orion Weiss

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!


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