Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square 2021

The sounds of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square floated into many homes during the holidays in the 1960s & '70s on Goodyear and Firestone albums, bringing lush renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Those warm memories and feelings come right back again in this holiday special from 2021.


Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Hygge Holiday

Join host Elena See as she plays a mix of wintry and nostalgic classical pieces designed to accompany listeners as they enjoy cozy wintertime activities.


Toa Heftiba/Unsplash

Christmas with Cantus

Valerie Kahler grew up in a musical family and started playing cello and piano in 3rd grade.  She began her radio career in 1989 as a volunteer at KNAU (now Arizona Public Radio) in Flagstaff, Arizona.  She worked there as a classical host and music director for more than a decade before moving to Minnesota to work for MPR.   In addition to classical music, other passions include sewing, singing and cooking.  She shares her life with her partner, John, an artist.


Valerie Kahler

‘Christmas With Cantus’ is a beloved holiday tradition for YourClassical MPR listeners featuring the eight voices of the male vocal ensemble live in concert. 


Courtesy of artist

Christmas With Cantus

Every Good Thing

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

On Thanksgiving, host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take time to give thanks and celebrate one of life's most meaningful gifts: music. It's ‘Every Good Thing’ — an hour of stories and music to celebrate Thanksgiving.


'Every Good Thing'

Dallas Wind Symphony/Junkin: Russian Christmas Music

Randy Salas is the senior digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He oversees all classical digital content, including the website, social media, videos, e-newsletters and podcasts.


Senior Digital Producer, Classical

Randy Salas

Alfred Reed's 'Russian Christmas Music' has become a majestic mainstay of the concert band repertoire since its debut in 1944. As the work marks its 79th anniversary, it's worth retelling how remarkable its world premiere was. Listen now to this timeless piece.


Mladen Antonov/AFP via Getty Images

Celebrating 79 years of 'Russian Christmas Music'

Listen to the Story

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Tom Huizenga

A new album of music by the 88-year-old Estonian mystic seems to put an arm around you and whisper, "In troubled times, music can help."


Luciano Rossetti/ECM Records

A disciplined plea for peace – and quiet – from composer Arvo Pärt

Friday Favorites - Nov. 10, 2023

Steve Seel is the host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast and the trailblazing music show Extra Eclectic. He possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense.  In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.


Steve Seel

On the Nov. 10 episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ guest host Steve Seel fills in for Steve Staruch as he plays listeners' requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!


Steve Seel guest-hosts 

Karen Zamora

Tinbete Ermyas

Juana Summers

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with violinist Davyd Booth, who was part of the Philadelphia Orchestra's historic 1973 tour of China.


Nass, Daniel

The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to China for anniversary of historic 1973 trip

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

Rhapsody in Black - Duke Ellington

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

Pianist, composer and innovator Duke Ellington is famous today for his jazz and swing music. However, he had a few other visions kicking around in his tool box, including some memorable suites such as ‘The Queen’s Suite.’ Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Provided

Duke Ellington defied mid-20th century labels with 'The Queen's Suite'

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Shai Wosner

New Classical Tracks - Shai Wosner

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 this week’s episode of New Classical Tracks, pianist Shai Wosner presents his latest recording, featuring Ludwig van Beethoven’s ‘Diabelli Variations.’ Find out more!


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