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

Rhapsody in Black - Jessie Montgomery

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

On the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast, we learn about Jessie Montgomery, a composer, violinist and educator whose music helps her connect with the world. Listen now.


Jiyang Chen

Composer Jessie Montgomery uses music to connect with the world

Extra Eclectic - Nov. 20, 2024

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we’re getting a head start on the biggest travel days of the year with contemporary pieces about getting from point A to point B on this edition of the show. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


Christine Alicino

Hitting the road

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez and Frederica von Stade

New Classical Tracks - Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez and Frederica von Stade

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 the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks’ with host Julie Amacher, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade collaborates with conductor Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez on what she considers to be her final recording project. Listen now!


Provided

Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade brings gratitude to her final recording

Every Good Thing 2024

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'

Saturday Cinema - Nov. 16, 2024

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,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate November birthdays in the world of film, including Viven Leigh, Claude Rains and Burt Lancaster — plus a couple of belated birthdays from October. Listen now!


November birthdays

Friday Favorites - Nov. 15, 2024

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

Guest host Steve Seel fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now! 


Friday Favorites: Listener requests with guest host Steve Seel

Rhapsody in Black - Kedrick Armstrong

Conductor Kedrick Armstrong uses both archives and youth education to serve the longevity of classical music by working to represent everyone in the concert hall. Find out more on the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Conductor Kedrick Armstrong looks to the past and the future

Extra Eclectic - Nov. 13, 2024

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ host Steve Seel shares two hours of music by women composers. Highlights include Paola Presetini’s ‘Code,’ Reena Esmail’s ‘Black Iris’ and Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s stirring ‘Hear Us In Heaven.’


Voices of remarkable women 

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Tom Huizenga

The youngest ever winner of the Van Cliburn Piano Competition makes our trusty upright piano sound like a 9-foot grand in music by Liszt and Tchaikovsky.


Zayrha Rodriguez

Yunchan Lim performs a lyrical Tiny Desk Concert

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - David Kaplan

New Classical Tracks - David Kaplan

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks’ with host Julie Amacher, pianist David Kaplan debuts his first solo recording, ‘New Dances of the League of David,’ a collection of miniatures by 15 leading American composers. Listen now!


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