The first Friday of the month beginning at 3 p.m., host Tom Crann presents Theme and Variations. We pick the theme — you choose the variation by requesting a piece of music inspired by that theme.

Theme for May

In North America, we celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. It’s a day to honor mothers, certainly, and it is also extended as a celebration of all women who have nurtured, supported and positively shaped and influenced our lives.

So with that in mind, our May theme is MOTHERS. Perhaps there’s a piece of music that reminds you of Mom, or a mothering figure in your life. Perhaps it's a piece she taught you or introduced to. Maybe it’s your mother’s favorite piece. It’s up to you! Tell us about a piece of music that says MOTHER to you, and tell us why. Send in your pick using the form below, and be sure to listen on Friday, May 1, starting at 3 p.m.

Make a Request for Theme and Variations

Use this form to ask that a piece be played on Theme and Variations, our classical-music program hosted by Tom Crann. We accept requests all month long.

You must be 13 or older to submit any information to Minnesota Public Radio. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

This week on a shortened Friday Favorites: a couple of movie classics, including Bernard Hermann from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest and Joe Hisaishi’s Merry-go-round of Life. Also, two recordings by the Minnesota Orchestra: a chunk of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 and Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Listen now with host Tom Crann! 

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites:

Remembering Alfred Brendel with some Schubert. Check.

A celebratory anthem for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth. Check

Some string music for mom who doesn’t like high-pitched violins. Check.

The signature aria from the great Pavarotti, and so much more! Listen now with host Tom Crann! 

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites, ahead of Father’s Day, host Tom Crann shares music that two listeners say reminds them of lakes and loons and Dad. Additionally, hear a birthday celebration for Edvard Grieg, Schubert on an extinct instrument he’d have recognized, and Philip Glass’ Mad Rush inspired by the Dalai Lama for your Friday rush hour. Add a dash of Nana Mouskouri, and more and that’s Friday Favorites. Listen now! 

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites, host Tom Crann shares the famous Sabre Dance and the whole ballet it comes from, Gayane. Leif Ove Andsnes wowed us with the Grieg Piano Concerto and we heard a D-Day tribute from Richard Rogers: his Victory at Sea suite. Listen now with host Tom Crann!

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites, host Tom Crann shares a wide variety of listener requests! You’ll hear Debussey’s famous musical sea voyage — La Mer — an effervescent piano concerto by Mendelssohn and even a depiction of an iron foundry. Add some sunshine from a Beatle, and even a request for the host to pick a favorite (Haydn’s 88th.) Listen now!

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites, Tom Crann plays listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

Steve Staruch is joined by Tom Crann on the latest episode of Friday Favorites, playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

Guest host Steve Seel fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of Friday Favorites, playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

Guest host Joe Goetz fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of Friday Favorites, playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

Guest host Julie Amacher fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of Friday Favorites, playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

Steve Staruch celebrates his tenure of Friday Favorites with an eclectic show. Enjoy choral and instrumental classics for the Easter season right next to Broadway showtunes, and everything in between. Listen now!

From a Surprise Symphony by Haydn to passionate storytelling by Chopin to a grand chorus by Handel, this week’s episode of Friday Favorites was an eclectic dream machine. Be transported to your favorite spring place with sunny requests from YourClassical MPR’s listeners. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Amy Leopold, the Project DJ co-host for this week’s episode of Friday Favorites, will graduate in May with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica. A native of Duluth, Amy is proud of her hometown and her deep family roots on the north shore. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

Jenna Kavouras, the Project DJ co-host for this week’s episode of Friday Favorites, is a natural in front of the microphone. She had an experience of writing and performing her first composition, a piece for wind orchestra. It led to an experience of “wow!” Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

Wesley Friberg has been involved with the YMCA’s Youth in Government program for the last four years. He is an experienced public speaker and it shows! Wesley is the Project DJ co-host for this week’s episode of Friday Favorites. Listen now as he joins Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

Mark Scannell is the Project DJ Plus co-host on this episode of Friday Favorites. Mark is retired, but you wouldn’t know that from his many activities: he’s a published author, life coach and a softball umpire, among many other things. Mark had aspirations when he was a kid of being a baseball commentator. Co-hosting Friday Favorites is not quite baseball announcing, but it comes in a close second! Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

Guest host Steve Seel fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of Friday Favorites, playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

The Project DJ co-host this week is Ben Shermock. He took his first voice lesson two years ago, and it changed the trajectory of his life. Hear Ben’s story — and your requests, too — on this week’s episode of Friday Favorites. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

The Project DJ co-host for this episode of Friday Favorites is Mya Temanson. She is a native of Minot, North Dakota, and an MPR Fellow. She began playing the violin at 4 and at 15 she had the opportunity to perform a Vivaldi Concerto with the Minot Symphony Orchestra. She has a passion for writing and while at Minot State, she (and friends) also wrote and directed an interactive murder mystery show. It was an amazing success! Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

The piano is center stage for this week’s episode of Friday Favorites. Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, with other heroic piano gems, made this a monster of a piano show! Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

An American set, a Scandinavian set, a Silk Road set and a Palestrina palooza; what’s not to love about Friday Favorites? Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

The Project DJ co-host for this episode of Friday Favorites is Anna Tessman. Violin is her passion! Anna is also an MPR Fellow learning the craft and art of radio. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

An early St Patrick’s Day? Irish music was featured prominently on the latest episode of Friday Favorites. It was music to chase the cold away. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

This week’s Friday Favorites is an exploration of styles. From a gospel version of a chorus from Handel’s Messiah to a piece that celebrates the sea and all its ferociousness, “eclectic” is Friday Favorites’ middle name! Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

The first Friday Favorites of 2025 was celebratory, eclectic, and fun! Here's to another great year of listener requests. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!

Jericho Juenemann lives and breathes music. A singer and instrumentalist, he performs with the Angelica Cantanti Youth Choir, plays trumpet in the New Prague High School Band and is also involved in theater. He brings all that experience to YourClassical MPR as a Project DJ co-host on the latest episode of Friday Favorites. Listen now as he joins Steve Staruch!

Find out more about Project DJ!

On the latest episode of Friday Favorites, Samantha Forgosh has her eyes set on a career in the entertainment industry. If her appearance as the Project DJ co-host is any indication, she’s on her way! Listen now as she joins host Steve Staruch.

Find out more about Project DJ!

Guest host Steve Seel fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of Friday Favorites, playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now!

Incredible musical talent (singer and multi-instrumentalist) and train enthusiast, Thomas Baker-Trinity joined Steve Staruch as the Project DJ co-host for this week’s Friday Favorites. Listen now!