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

Rhapsody in Black - THOMPSON

Composer Joel Thompson continues the history of challenging society with his music, like so many artists that came before him. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


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Joel Thompson speaks to the issues of today

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Felix Contreras

Earlier this month, Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir took the stage with the National Symphony Orchestra. Their collaboration had attendees in tie dye and tuxedos dancing in the aisles.


Palace Theatre

Grateful Dead's Bob Weir took the stage with the National Symphony Orchestra

Saturday Cinema - 20221029

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

It’s showtime! This spooky episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, features music from Halloween classics including ‘Dracula,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Beetlejuice.’ Listen now!


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Hollywood Halloween

Rhapsody in Black - Prince

In the 1970s, pianist and composer Eubie Blake was one of the only survivors of the early ragtime era, which began in the late 1800s, and he was still going strong. In fact, the highly skilled pianist’s rags were so challenging that they had to be simplified before being published. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


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Ragtime legend Eubie Blake's career traversed musical eras

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - October 25, 2022New Classical Tracks - Sarah Willis (Extended Interview)

New Classical Tracks - Sarah Willis (Extended Interview)

New Classical Tracks - Sarah Willis

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, horn player Sarah Willis returns to Cuba to record the second volume of her three-part series ‘Mozart y Cuba,’ alongside the Havana Lyceum Orchestra. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win the CD!


Horn player Sarah Willis learns to dance with second volume of 'Mozart y Mambo'

Olivia Hampton

Soprano Latonia Moore's journey to the world's greatest opera stages began singing gospel — in her grandfather's church — and jazz


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From gospel to opera, soprano Latonia Moore makes the world her stage

Tom Huizenga

Hear what's been called "America's most astonishing choir" sing brand new music by Shara Nova that looks at how we handle difficult emotions. 


Bob Boilen/NPR

"America's most astonishing choir," the Crossing, performs its Tiny Desk Concert

This week’s episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, celebrates the 40th anniversary of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ with music from the movie and other sci-fi favorites. Listen now!

The 40th Anniversary of E.T.

This week’s episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, celebrates the 40th anniversary of ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ with music from the movie and other sci-fi favorites. Listen now!


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Rachel Treisman

Pringle helped shape and safeguard the sound of NPR for more than four decades. Colleagues are remembering her prolific portfolio, technical expertise, generosity, honesty and sense of style. 


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Melissa Block/NPR 

Remembering NPR's Renee Pringle, a pioneering audio engineer, friend and fashionista

Pop superstar Prince was far more than the chart-topping musician everyone loved. He was a modern-day composer who explored and was an expert in many styles of music. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


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