Saturday Cinema - Feb. 22, 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,’ Minnesota Orchestra conductor Sarah Hicks joins Lynne Warfel in-studio for a discussion about her role in the orchestra’s ‘Live to Film’ concerts, her favorite films and more. Listen now!


Lynne Warfel chats with Minnesota Orchestra's Sarah Hicks

Friday Favorites - Feb. 21, 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

The Project DJ co-host for this episode of ‘Friday Favorites’ is Mya Temanson. A native of Minot, North Dakota, she’s an MPR Fellow with a passion for violin and writing. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Provided

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-host Mya Temanson

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra - Feb. 24, 2025

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra presents a program featuring the music of Haydn, Kancheli and Elgar, featuring principal cello Julie Albers. Listen to the concert now!


Chester Higgins, Jr.

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Julie Albers perform Elgar

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

Rhapsody in Black - 20250213

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

Jazz singer Billie Holiday discovered “Strange Fruit,” Abel Meropol’s protest song against lynching In 1939. It became her closing number at all of her performances at Café Society and the best selling record of her career. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


William P. Gottlieb

Billie Holiday and 'Strange Fruit'

Extra Eclectic - Feb. 19, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Bonnie North features contemporary classical music from around the world. Listen now!


YourClassical MPR

Across the globe with guest host Bonnie North

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Anna Clyne and Eric Jacobsen

New Classical Tracks - Anna Clyne Eric Jacobsen

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

English composer Anna Clyne incorporates elements of folk music on her latest recording featuring the Knights. Listen as host Julie Amacher speaks to her and Eric Jacobson from the ensemble about their recent collaboration on the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks.’


Anna Clyne and the Knights bring folk into classic on new album

As Trump takes over leadership at Kennedy Center, some protest through dance

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Elizabeth Blair

President Trump and his appointees are now solely in charge of the Kennedy Center. Performers protested by dancing.


David Dowling

Songs of Freedom - Woke Up This Morning

Songs of Freedom - We Shall Overcome

Songs of Freedom -  Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round

Songs of Freedom - Eyes on the Prize, Hold On

Songs of Freedom - We Shall Not Be Moved

Songs of Freedom - Motherless Child

Songs of Freedom - Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho

Songs of Freedom - Wade in the Water

Songs of Freedom - Deep River

Songs of Freedom - Every Time I Feel The Spirit

While protesting the difficult conditions of racism and injustice in the United States, people sang freedom songs to give them strength to keep on working for the cause. Join us for ‘Songs of Freedom,’ narrated by G. Phillip Shoultz. Listen now!


Listen to 'Songs of Freedom,' with G. Phillip Shoultz

Saturday Cinema - Feb. 15, 2025

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel plays two hours of listeners’ requests for music by four often-requested composers: Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, James Horner and Howard Shore. Listen now!


February listener requests

A Vermont choir shows that people with aphasia who struggle to speak can still sing

Noah Caldwell

Ashley Brown

People who've had strokes or traumatic brain injuries often live with aphasia: difficulty using language, both written and spoken. But music mostly originates in the undamaged hemisphere of the brain.


Listen

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