Friday Favorites - 06022023

On this episode of Friday Favorites, for June 2, 2023, with host Steve Staruch, Elaine celebrates the summer with a Beatles favorite, and Livi tells her YourClassical story. Also, Project DJ co-host Brian Johnson talks about playing the viola and attending the Roundtop Music Festival.


Friday Favorites: Celebrating summer, a YourClassical story and Project DJ co-host Brian Johnson

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

This week on Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel remembers one of the most important avant-garde composers of the 20th century, György Ligeti, including his haunting ‘Atmosphères,’ which was used in the film '2001: A Space Odyssey.‘ Other featured works include those by Steve Reich, David Lang and Marc Mellits. 


Provided

A Ligeti centenary

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

Rhapsody in Black - Gil Scott-Heron

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

Gil Scott-Heron, the self-proclaimed "bluesologist," emerged as a courageous musical figure during the 1970s and ‘80s, skillfully blending social commentary with musical artistry. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Gil Scott-Heron is a self-described 'bluesologist'

YourClassical Storytime - Goose, Goose, Baby Goose

Bruce the goose always swims his morning laps alone, until his life changes forever on one fateful summer day. Find out what happens in ‘Goose, Goose, Baby Goose!’ – the new episode of YourClassical Storytime. [Support for this program is provided by Minnesota Waldorf School. Support for Pride Month programming is provided by At Sara’s Table/Chester Creek Cafe and Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church.]


Mia Jennings for MPR

'Goose, Goose, Baby Goose!'

National Lutheran Choir - May 31, 2023

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

The National Lutheran Choir presents its season finale and farewell concert, ‘Ventures Known & Unknown,’ featuring some of departing conductor David Cherwien’s favorite repertoire during his 21-year tenure with the ensemble. Listen to the concert now, with host Steve Staruch.


Listen: National Lutheran Choir presents farewell concert for conductor David Cherwien

New Classical Tracks - Tessa Lark (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Tessa Lark

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, violinist Tessa Lark combines bluegrass and classical on her latest recording, ‘The Stradgrass Sessions.’ 


Lauren Desberg

Violinist Tessa Lark goes back to her roots

Saturday Cinema - Memorial Day

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

On this episode of Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel presents her annual Memorial Day show of film music in honor of those who sacrificed everything for their country. Listen to the program now, including music from ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Platoon’ and ‘War Horse.’


Memorial Day 2023

Listen to the Story

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

Selena Simmons-Duffin

NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin has a trick to get her kids to fall asleep at bedtime: lullabies. Science backs it up: Singing to your child helps them fall asleep faster, even than listening to Mozart!


Bastien Jalliot/Unsplash

What is it about a lullaby that helps kids fall asleep?

Friday Favorites - 05262023

On this episode of Friday Favorites, for May 26, 2023, with host Steve Staruch, Les gets his request for ‘The Navy Hymn,’ and Joseph hears ‘Ashokan Farewell’ in Iowa. Also, Project DJ co-host Nicholas Hinson, a graduate from St. Olaf College, talks about building organs and singing with the Minnesota Chorale.


Friday Favorites: ‘Navy Hymn,' 'Ashokan Farewell’ and Project DJ co-host Nicholas Hinson

Rachel Treisman

Sunday's finale marked the end of 'Succession' and its iconic opening theme. Composer Nicholas Britell reflects on shaping the show's signature sound over four seasons — and what he might do next.


Listen

Stories