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.


Provided

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

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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.


Claudette Barius/HBO

How composer Nicholas Britell created the sound of 'Succession'

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

Rhapsody in Black - Angelique Kidjo

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

Angélique Kidjo is a powerhouse of African music and a voice for social justice. Born in Benin, she embraces diverse influences, from traditional African rhythms to blues, rock and soul. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Angélique Kidjo is a voice for social justice

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Osmo Vanska

New Classical Tracks - Osmo Vanska

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, conductor Osmo Vänskä explores how Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 carries a message of life in his latest recording with the Minnesota Orchestra. 


Travis Anderson

Osmo Vänskä finds a message about life in Mahler's Symphony No. 9

Dreams of the Fallen

'Dreams of the Fallen' recognizes and memorializes through music and poetry those who have protected our country — often at great sacrifice — from before its founding to the present. Listen now to this tribute to U.S. military heroes.


Aaron Burden/Unsplash

'Dreams of the Fallen': A Memorial Day tribute to U.S. military heroes

Penny Dale

The singers traveled to England for a tour to raise money to build a technical college. Their story is receiving renewed attention because of a new dance performance based on the concert tour.


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