Classical Minnesota Stories

Heights Theater organ preserves the legacy of movie music

Heights Theater organ preserves the legacy of movie music

In the northeast Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights thrives a pillar of Minnesota movie history, the Heights Theater. And along with its spectacular lobby and elegant auditorium, there is another steadfastly maintained piece of history: the Heights Organ. Take a photo and video tour of this wonderful piece of music-making.

From Bach to Beat Box puts classical music through a cross-genre grinder

From Bach to Beat Box puts classical music through a cross-genre grinder

From Bach to Beat Box is an ambitious project that involves tossing the music of J.S. Bach into a hungry arena of performers, including rapper Terrell Woods (aka Carnage the Executioner), folk-classical string duo the OK Factor, and the classically trained jazz pianist Samuel Rosenstone. It's the latest creation of Mischa Santora's Minneapolis Music Company.

Minnesota Opera dives into LGBTQ history with 'Fellow Travelers'

Minnesota Opera dives into LGBTQ history with 'Fellow Travelers'

Minnesota Opera premieres 'Fellow Travelers,' an opera that tells the story of a clandestine love affair between two men working for the federal government in Washington, D.C., during the "lavender scare" of 1950s America. Find out why this exciting new work is gaining acclaim.

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Giving Voice Chorus celebrates the power of music and love in new song cycle

Giving Voice Chorus celebrates the power of music and love in new song cycle

Giving Voice Chorus began because its founders had parents with Alzheimer's, knew what music could do for memory care and wanted to bring people together. It's now 160 singers strong across the Twin Cities. Relive their recent performance of 'Love Never Forgets,' a song cycle celebrating the power of love and music.

Minnesota Orchestra closes season with premiere of low-brass concerto 'Pillars'
Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies tours Eastern Europe

Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies tours Eastern Europe

The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies' elite ensemble, Symphony, leaves Minnesota this week for an 11-day trip to Poland, Hungary and Germany. While concerts are the musical high point of the tour, they are far from being the only important activity on the agenda.

Grand pianos strike a chord with travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
Violinist Augustin Hadelich talks Beethoven with Minnesota Orchestra
Minneapolis' Resonance Box 'aims to bring attention to how we listen' to the world
Minnesota Chorale takes on next big challenge: 'Belshazzar's Feast'

Minnesota Chorale takes on next big challenge: 'Belshazzar's Feast'

Kathy Saltzman Romey, artistic director of the Minnesota Chorale, has been preparing her singers since March to perform 'Belshazzar's Feast,' one of the most difficult works in the choral symphonic repertoire. Hear it live Friday night with the Minnesota Orchestra and conductor Andrew Litton on Classical MPR.

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.