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 latest episode of Extra Eclectic, Steve Seel showcases the world premiere of composer Judith Weir’s work ‘Begin Afresh,’ which took place at the 2023 BBC Proms Festival on Aug. 24. It's a piece that Weir says was inspired by the trees and plants that she observed during the changing seasons over the course of a year. Listen now!


Provided

Celebrating the changing of seasons

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Marc-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller

New Classical Tracks - September  6, 2023

New Classical Tracks - Mark-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller

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, Canadian pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin presents his latest recording, ‘Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles,’ featuring music by Gabriel Faure, as well as a collaboration with pianist and radio host-producer Cathy Fuller. Find out more!


Marc-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller present 'Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles'

Listen to the Story

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

John Ruwitch

In a country where open expressions of sorrow can be interpreted as political, Peng Haitao's piano performance in public strikes a chord with many in China.


Luisella Planeta Leoni/Pixabay 

How a man's sorrowful public piano song helped console many in China

Ryan Ross on 'Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death'

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

Beloved Minnesota author Bill Holm’s iconic poem ‘Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death’ is the text for a new song cycle by Minnesota composer Martha Helen Schmidt. Steve Staruch spoke with baritone Ryan Hugh Ross, who along with pianist Daniel Rieppel is performing it around Minnesota, about the poet’s larger-than-life presence and the new work.


Ed Choo

Singer Ryan Hugh Ross delves into song cycle based on Bill Holm's 'Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death'

Saturday Cinema - September  2, 2023

On this episode of ‘Saturday Cinema’ for the first weekend of September, host Lynne Warfel surveys music from films about working folks and school days, including selections from the scores of ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Norma Rae’ and ‘Dead Poet's Society.’ Listen now.


Labor Day and back to school

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks to conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra about its second international tour.


Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra is embarking on its second international tour

Friday Favorites - Sept. 1, 2023

Steve Staruch hosted a live recording of Friday Favorites at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 24 with Project DJ co-hosts Charity Duran and Jacob Barsness. That special edition was aired Sept. 1. Listen now.


Ines Guanchez

Friday Favorites visits the State Fair, with Project DJ co-hosts Charity Duran and Jacob Barsness

Jeffrey Yelverton is a digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He supports the digital portfolio of MPR/APM by creating original content and providing production support for YourClassical Storytime, New Classical Tracks and various seasonal events.


Digital Producer, Classical

Jeffrey Yelverton

Is the recorder the best instrument ever? Find out the many ways the recorder is not only a classical instrument but has planted itself firmly within pop culture. 


Yamaha 

Is the recorder the best instrument ever?

Jay Gabler

The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin performs an Irish lullaby that dates from 1904.


Listen to a haunting century-old Irish lullaby

YourClassical Storytime - Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come

Henry can't wait for kindergarten to begin, but he has a slight case of the first-day jitters. What will he do to calm his nerves? Find out in the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, ‘Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!’ by Nancy Carlson, featuring narration by Melanie Renate and music by Franz Hoffmeister.


Listen

Stories