Expand your horizons with a collection of classical content that’s good to know.

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Tom Crann is heard on YourClassical MPR from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays. Prior to rejoining the classical team at MPR, Tom was the host of All Things Considered for MPR News from 2005 to 2025, where he interviewed a wide range of public figures, including Minnesota's members of congress, politicians, experts, writers, and artists. He anchored Minnesota Public Radio's award-winning live coverage of the 35W bridge collapse. He has hosted other special coverage for MPR News, including live coverage of election nights since 2012.  He has been a host, producer, and interviewer for Minnesota Public Radio since 1995.   His work on MPR News has been recognized with an Eric Severeid award, a regional Edward R. Murrow award, and a National Headliner award. He has also hosted the international cultural broadcasts "Sounds Irish" and "The Last Night of the Proms," a co-production with the BBC. Tom began his career at MPR/APM as a classical host in 1995. In addition to his work at Minnesota Public Radio, Crann has spent more than 20 years hosting and producing classical music and cultural programs at public radio stations around the U.S, and for RTE/Lyric FM in Ireland, where he is still a contributor.


Tom Crann

We pick the theme — you choose the variation by requesting a piece of music inspired by that theme. Our theme for March is HOPE: what music gives you hope? 


tom crann headshot classical mpr credit chris mcduffie

Shows

Join us for Theme & Variations

 Join Tom Crann for Theme and Variations the first Friday of every month

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Luke Taylor

Kavakos will begin his three-year appointment in 2027. 


A man conducts an orchestra during a concert 

Latest News

Minnesota Orchestra appoints Leonidas Kavakos its principal guest conductor 

Minnesota Opera: 'My Name is Florence' interview

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. 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, New York. 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

On Jan. 31, the Minnesota Opera presented the world premiere of ‘My Name is Florence.’ Listen as host Steve Staruch speaks to members of the cast — then enjoy on-demand audio of the concert!


Minnesota Opera

Listen: The Minnesota Opera presents 'My Name is Florence'

Minnesota Opera - Romeo and Juliet

Minnesota Opera presents Gounod’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ a story about timeless love and family feuds. Listen to the concert now!


MN Opera's Romeo and Juliet: “Amour, ranime mon courage”

Listen: Minnesota Opera presents 'Romeo and Juliet'

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra's recording of Ravel's Boléro is up for a Grammy nomination for best orchestral performance. The recognition comes at a turbulent moment for Venezuela, but the orchestra remains focused on the music.


Gustavo Dudamel leads the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra 

As Venezuela's future remains uncertain, its symphony orchestra reaches a new milestone

Tribute to tuba player Jim Self, who played on more than 1,500 film scores

John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

Self played tuba on more than 1,500 film scores, including ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Home Alone,’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’


A man is seen playing tuba framed inside a sousaphone

John Williams - Wild Signals (Audio)

Remembering Jim Self, tuba player who performed on many John Williams film scores

Lakes Area Music Festival – Jonathan Cziner: North Long Lake, MN (world premiere)


Jonathan Cziner: North Long Lake, MN (world premiere)

Fellow – YourClassical

Zuzu Black

A Juilliard-educated composer working in Dallas, Texas, Cziner has long held a connection to Minnesota and has been a collaborator with the Lakes Area Music Festival.


A man in a blazer sits at a piano in a study 

A large lake surrounded by trees on a bright summer day

An Ear to the Ground: Composer Jonathan Cziner pays special local tribute with new piece 

Cynthia Dickison

Accompanying and dramatizing a silent movie with live, original music is somewhat of a lost art, but St. Paul musician Katie Condon is keeping this niche tradition alive.


Katie Condon sits in front of a grand piano.

A woman plays piano in a dark cinema to accompany a silent film 

Good to Know

The sound of silents: musician Katie Condon accompanies silent films with live music

Ella Harpstead

Concert band is a large part of classical music, yet many composers don't get the recognition they deserve for contributing to the genre. Here are 10 band composers you should know — besides the March King, John Philip Sousa.


Concert Band

Ten band composers you should know — besides Sousa

Tom Crann interviews Isaac Thompson, the new president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra

MPR News Staff

A Twin Cities native and Mounds View High School graduate, Thompson will step into his new position in Minneapolis on Oct. 14.


A headshot of a man wearing a blue sport coat.