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Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Chi-Chi Nwanoku

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

Chi-Chi Nwanoku, founder of the Chineke! Foundation and Orchestra, is a champion of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians in Europe. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Rhapsody in Black - 20240815

Chineke! performs "String Quartet No. 3 in G minor" by Joseph Boulogne (Chevalier de Saint-Georges)

Rhapsody in Black

Chi-Chi Nwanoku champions diverse music in Europe

'Songs of Thanks' with Cantus

Join us for ‘Songs of Thanks,’ an innovative new production by Cantus presenting stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community. Listen now — and then tell us why you’re thankful so we can include your feedback in next year’s program.


Cantus: What we're thankful for

Cantus performing "Fiddle Tune" at Minnesota Public Radio

Cantus perform "Finlandia" in the YourClassical MPR studio

Holiday

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Dobrinka Tabakova

New Classical Tracks - 20261111

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 sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

Bulgarian-born British composer Dobrinka Tabakova joins forces with her friends at the Off the Beaten Path Festival to deliver her latest recording, ‘Stone Trail,’ which encompasses music she’s written over the past 25 years.


Dobrinka Tabakova — Stone Trail for Piano Quintet

New Classical Tracks® 

Dobrinka Tabakova and Off the Beaten Path Festival reflect on 25 years with 'Stone Trail'

Minnesota Orchestra - Nov.  6, 2026

Minnesota Orchestra - October 30, 2026

Minnesota Orchestra - October 16, 2026

On Friday, Nov. 6, audience favorite Jon Kimura Parker returned to Orchestra Hall to play Swedish composer Anders Hillborg’s MAX Concerto in a program also featuring Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2. Listen to the concert now!


Minnesota Orchestra - November  6, 2026

Meet YourClassical MPR's Melissa Ousley

Thomas Søndergård: Taken by the Sound | Minnesota Orchestra

Celebrating a Century on the Airwaves

Minnesota Orchestra

Listen: Minnesota Orchestra's Nordic Soundscapes Festival opens with Søndergård, Parker and Sibelius

Saturday Cinema - Nov. 7, 2026

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

On the latest episode of Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel shares a Hollywood salute to all who served with some of the greatest films about service and sacrifice. Selections include music from ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Glory,’ ‘The Right Stuff’ and more. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema

Veterans' Day

Interview with Jocelyn Hagen and Emily Threinen

Steve Seel is the morning host on YourClassical from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays, and host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast. Until the fall of 2026, he was also host of 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 Seel

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, Jocelyn Hagen’s ‘Creation’ — a piece that “invites audiences to reflect on the interconnectedness of life, light and love, reimagining the story of existence through a feminine lens” —  will be receiving its Midwest premiere at Ted Mann Concert Hall at the University of Minnesota. 


A woman stands in a vast field of tall grass fringed by distant trees

Jocelyn Hagen's NEW Multimedia Symphony: CREATION!

Jocelyn Hagen's 'Creation' receives its Midwest premiere in Minneapolis

Minnesota Beethoven Festival - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell

Last summer, Joshua Bell and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields returned to the Minnesota Beethoven Festival to present two concerts. Enjoy the second of these performances, featuring music by Ives, Mendelssohn and Beethoven. Listen to the concert now!


A violinist stands and performs together with an orchestra

Listen: Joshua Bell and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields return to the Minnesota Beethoven Festival

Rhapsody in Black - Imani Winds

The players of the Imani Winds have had faith in commissioning new works that uplift the profile of BIPOC composers and performers. They have been doing so for more than 25 years. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


Imani Winds Afro Blue at the Rainbow Room

Imani Winds performs Valerie Coleman's "Umoja"

Quintette en Forme de Choros • Villa-Lobos • Imani Winds

Imani Winds have faith in music as their core value

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): John Holiday

New Classical Tracks - John Holiday

Classical host Vernon Neal speaks with renowned countertenor John Holiday about his debut solo recording. It’s an album that blends all of the genres that make up his true identity — including pop, jazz, R&B, opera and more.


A man in a stylish outfit poses for a studio portrait

Over My Head and Amazing Grace (Arr. for Voice and Piano by John Holiday, Jr)

Countertenor John Holiday blends pop, jazz, R&B and opera on new album

'Creepy Classics'

'Every Good Thing'

YourClassical Christmas Favorites 2025

St. Olaf Christmas Festival (2025) - O Morning Star, O Radiant Love

Tales of Christmas with Cantus

'Carols, Customs and Candlelight: A Celtic Christmas Celebration'

All Is Bright

Carols as Home with Imani Winds

Music from the various film treatments of Dickens' beloved tale of redemption and new beginnings.

Hollywood Holiday: Ebenezer Edition

Classical Feature - Holiday - A Soulful Christmas

Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square 2021

Echoes of Christmas

We Stand On Top of the Mountain

We have a variety of classical specials for the holiday season, from Christmas to New Year’s Day. Listen to them any time that's convenient using this comprehensive listing.


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