An ecstatic exploration of classical music that’s aesthetically and uncompromisingly Black.

Rhapsody in Black - Moses Hogan

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

Choir director Moses Hogan, who died at 45 in 2003, built community through worship and song. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Wikipedia

Moses Hogan created community through worship 

YourClassical presents music from diverse sources 24/7, year-round. For Black History Month, in addition to this regular programming, we’re paying tribute to the essential music of great Black composers and performers with the special content listed and linked below. Come celebrate with us throughout February!


Rik Keller

Celebrate Black History Month with classical music

New Classical Tracks (Extended)- Eliesha Nelson - Walker

New Classical Tracks - Eliesha Nelson - Walker

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, violist Eliesha Nelson talks about the Cleveland Orchestra’s latest recording featuring the music of George Walker. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the album!


The Cleveland Orchestra

Cleveland Orchestra performs the music of George Walker

Meet Vernon Neal, the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


YourClassical MPR

Meet Vernon Neal, the host of 'Rhapsody in Black' 

Listen to the Story

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Elizabeth Blair

The United Ukrainian Ballet Company is made up of dancers taking refuge in the Netherlands. The company travels to Washington, D.C., to perform Giselle, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky.


Altin Kaftira/The United Ukrainian Ballet

Ballet dancers from across Ukraine bring 'Giselle' to the Kennedy Center

This week’s episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, features listener’s favorite tracks from 'The Sound of Music,' 'Patton,' 'Fahrenheit 451' and more. Listen now!

January Listener Requests

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, features listener’s favorite tracks from 'The Sound of Music,' 'Patton,' 'Fahrenheit 451' and more. Listen now!


Tim Greiving

The Exilarte Center in Vienna is the world's leading research institution devoted to preserving the work of composers such as Walter Arlen and others, who were exiled or killed during the Holocaust.


Provided

Walter Arlen

Forensic musicologists race to rescue works lost after the Holocaust

Friday Favorites - Jan. 27, 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

On this episode of Friday Favorites, for Jan. 27, 2023, we celebrate Mozart’s birthday, a Northfield listener wins the unofficial award for best description of a piece of music and host Steve Staruch is joined by Project DJ co-host Colleen Bur.


James Napoli/APM

Friday Favorites: Mozart's birthday, busy Ravel and co-host Colleen Bur

Tom Huizenga

The composer of Breaking the Waves speaks candidly about equity in her field, the importance of role models and the unglamorous side of writing music every day.


Caroline Tompkins/Courtesy of the artist

For Missy Mazzoli, composing is the hard work of making life easier

Rhapsody in Black - Jon Batiste

Pianist Jon Batiste has been pushing the boundaries of classical music since he was a child, fusing jazz and R&B with classical music to create an unforgettable sound. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


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