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

Rhapsody in Black - March 30, 2023

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

Composer and educator William Dawson dedicated his life to the promotion and cultivation of Black American music traditions.  Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Tuskegee University Archives

William Dawson never doubted the possibilities of our music

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

This week, ‘From the Top’ will feature four talented young musicians who are disabled or neurodivergent. Acclaimed violinists Itzhak Perlman, who performs while seated following a childhood bout with polio, and Julia LaGrand will perform and guest-host alongside host Peter Dugan.


Courtesy of artist

Itzhak Perlman joins 'From the Top' as it features disabled and neurodivergent musicians

Saturday Cinema - March 25, 2023

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’s episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, is the second of two listener request shows this month and features listeners’ favorite tracks. Listen now!


March Listener Requests, Part 2

Listen to the Story

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

Monika Evstatieva

The Queen's Cartoonists is a jazz band with elements of classical music, comedy and clowning that performs music live to animation, both old and contemporary.  


Lindsey Theong/The Queen's Cartoonist

The Queen's Cartoonists: Where jazz meets animation and hints of musical circus 

Tom Huizenga

A new collection of recordings finally freed from the vaults offers a chance to hear one of opera's greatest artists sing Wagner, Strauss, Berlioz and more. 


Decca Archives

Jessye Norman soars again in trove of unreleased recordings 

Friday Favorites - 03242023

On this episode of Friday Favorites, for March 24, 2023, guest host Steve Seel plays Adolf Shulz-Evler’s Arabesque on Themes of ‘On the Beautiful Blue Danube,’ continues St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with more Irish music and plays a request for ‘a short piece that will wake anyone up’. 


MPR Photo

Friday Favorites: Steve Seel, Shulz-Evler's Arabesque and more Irish music

YC Story - Michael Gleason

Gleason shares one high school memory that has never faded. 


Dan Wayman/Unsplash

Michael Gleason's affinity for classical music is 'cast in stone'

New Classical Tracks - Hélène Grimaud (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Hélène Grimaud

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

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, French pianist Hélène Grimaud pays homage to one of Ukraine’s greatest living composers, Valentin Silvestrov, on her latest recording, ‘Silvestrov: Silent Songs.’ 


Mat Hennek

Pianist Hélène Grimaud pays homage to one of Ukraine’s greatest living composers

Suraya Mohamed

American gospel singer Tye Tribbett and his gospel choir brought high energy praise music to the Tiny Desk in a set of six inspiring songs.


Photo: Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

Zayrha Rodriguez/Photo: Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

Gospel singer Tye Tribbett squeezes in a choir for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

Before Bach's Birthday Bash - March 18, 2023

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

Before Bach's Birthday Bash, which was held March 18 with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone, celebrated the works of composer J.S. Bach with five hourlong concerts at venues in Minneapolis. Relive the first hour now with our archived livestream video and broadcast audio.


Listen

Stories