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!


Marco Borggreve

Pianist Shai Wosner explores Beethoven's 'Diabelli Variations' on new recording

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Alan Goffinski

Luray caverns in Virginia have been a natural landmark for 50 years. They also hold the world's largest musical instrument, a Stalacpipe organ.


Nass, Daniel

The world's largest musical instrument is in the mountains of Virginia 

Tom Huizenga

In one of its very final performances ever, the durable and beloved string quartet says farewell with music by Beethoven, Walker and Ravel.


YouTube

Emerson String Quartet performs a farewell Tiny Desk Concert

Anastasia Tsioulcas

An opera about civil rights leader Malcolm X opens Friday — nearly 40 years after X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X premiered. The creative team says its message feels more relevant than ever.


Zenith Richards/Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera

Malcolm X arrives — finally — at New York's Metropolitan Opera

Rhapsody in Black - Jonathon Bailey

Composer and educator Jonathan Bailey Holland’s mission is to reshape the way music history is taught and understood, and to help every student feel like they’re part of the conversation. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Composer Jonathan Bailey Holland aims to reshape how music is taught and understood

Extra Eclectic - Nov. 01, 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

Hannah Kendall's ‘The Spark Catchers’ is an evocative interpretation of a poem about women who worked in match factories in the 1800s, tasked with dousing stray sparks that might accidentally ignite an inferno. Listen as Steve Seel plays that works and more on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’


Hannah Kendall's 'Spark Catchers' describes fire

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - James Newton Howard

New Classical Tracks - James Newton Howard

On this week’s episode of New Classical Tracks, composer James Newton Howard reimagines the music from director M. Night Shyamalan’s movies on ‘Night After Night,’ an album featuring Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Hilary Hahn and Maya Beiser. Find out more!


James Newton Howard reimagines music from M. Night Shyamalan's movies on 'Night After Night'

YourClassical Storytime - Something from Nothing: The Story of Fry Bread

Fry bread takes only a few ingredients to make, and it brings a lot of people together. Find out why it has special meaning for Native Americans in ‘Something From Nothing: The Story of Fry Bread,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime — featuring narration and music by composer Connor Chee, and illustrations by Raul Villanueva.


Raul Villanueva for MPR

'Something From Nothing: The Story of Fry Bread'

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

Minnesota Opera’s new production, ‘Cruzar la Cara de la Luna,’ explores the intertwined lives of a Mexican American family on both sides of the border. Listen as host Andrea Blain speaks to members of the cast about this exciting new production.


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