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

Rhapsody in Black - Adolphus Hailstork

Composer Adolphus Hailstork has had his music performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world since the 1970s. He often uses his music to amplify Black voices. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Courtesy of artist

Composer Adolphus Hailstork amplifies Black voices with his music

Indonesian Inroads

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

Colin McPhee’s “Tabuh Tabuhan” was a groundbreaking introduction of Balinese Gamelan music to the West. On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, host Steve Seel features McPhee’s work, as well as music by Caroline Shaw, Anna Clyne and Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov.


Mathis Jrdl/Unsplash

Colin McPhee’s 'Tabuh Tabuhan' makes Indonesian inroads

Concert with world premiere of Lament of the Earth

National Lutheran Choirs Present The Earth Sings Beauty

Minnesota composer Steve Heitzeg’s new work, ‘Lament of the Earth,’ premiered May 1 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Performers included the National Lutheran Choir, the Minnesota Boychoir, soloist Clara Osowski and conductor David Cherwien. Listen to the concert now.


Stephen Geffre 

Listen: National Lutheran Choir premieres Steve Heitzeg's 'Lament of the Earth'

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

You asked for it. Host Lynne Warfel delivers. Listen as she plays your favorite film music on this listener-request episode of Saturday Cinema.


Listeners request their favorite film music

Anthony McGill talks to Steve Seel

Shortly after George Floyd’s murder almost two years ago, clarinetist Anthony McGill came up with his own way of expressing his grief and anger. Find out more in his recent interview with Steve Seel.


Courtesy of the artist

Clarinetist Anthony McGill tackles race and equity in #TakeTwoKnees project

Rhapsody in Black - April 28, 2022

St. Olaf College choral conductor Anton Armstrong has been sharing the power and beauty of singing since he was a child. His work in choral music involves breaking down racial and cultural barriers that keep us from uniting in song. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


St. Olaf Choir

Choral conductor Anton Armstrong shares the beauty of song

Reinaldo Moya's "Imagined Archipelagos"

Composer Reinaldo Moya’s ‘Imagined Archipelagos’ takes us on an evocative journey across imaginary landscapes. Listen now on the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, with host Steve Seel.


Hendrik Morkel/Unsplash

Explore 'Imagined Archipelagos,' from Reinaldo Moya

New Classical Tracks - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Los Angeles Guitar Quartet

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, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet celebrates 40 years of music making with its new album, ‘Opalescent.’ 


Jiro Schneider

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet celebrates 40 years

Interview with Matthias Maute, Artistic Director of the Bach Society of MN

Matthias Maute Interview

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

Steve Staruch speaks with Matthias Maute, the artistic director of the Bach Society of Minnesota, about upcoming concerts featuring a collaboration with the vocal ensemble Cantus. 


Bach Society of Minnesota and Cantus join forces for concert series

Films from John Ford, Orson Welles, Hitchcock and more.

Calling the Shots:  Great Directors

Listen to music from the films of great directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Penny Marshall and more on Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel.


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