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Fred Child interview with Tom Crann

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

The day before his final broadcast after 25 years as host of Performance Today, Fred Child joined YourClassical’s Tom Crann to reflect on a quarter-century of a program that Child describes as “a place to share music and ideas together.”


Michael Osborne | MPR

Fred Child reflects on 25 years as host of 'Performance Today'

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

Rhapsody in Black - Jimi Hendrix

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

Jimi Hendrix, who set London’s club scene ablaze and literally set his guitar ablaze while performing at Woodstock, also had a burning desire to study classical music. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Rhapsody in Black - 20240829

Rhapsody in Black

Linda McCartney/National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian Institution

Legendary rocker Jimi Hendrix loved classical music

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 29, 2025

With Halloween approaching in just a couple days, the sounds veer toward the spooky on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ featuring music by Michael Daugherty, Anna Clyne, Jakabs Jancevskis and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


Extra Eclectic

Christina Kernohan

Modern sounds for Halloween

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Thomas Søndergård and Leila Josefowicz

New Classical Tracks - Thomas Sondergard @ Leila Josefowicz

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

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ the Minnesota Orchestra, led by Thomas Søndergård and joined by violinist Leila Josefowicz, present the premiere recording of a new symphony and violin concerto by Thomas Adès. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - October 29, 2025

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Thomas Sondergard @ Leila Josefowicz

Violin Concerto: I. Rings

New Classical Tracks® 

Frank Merchlewitz

Minnesota Orchestra, Sondergard and Josefowicz premiere music by Ades

Interview: Minnesota Opera presents 'Così fan tutte'

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

Host Steve Staruch speaks with cast members Kylie Kreucher, Ángel Vargas and Lindsay Ohse, as well as director Doug Scholz-Carlson, in preparation for the Minnesota Opera’s opening night of Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte,’ taking place this Saturday, Nov. 1. Listen now!


Interview: Minnesota Opera presents 'Cosi Fan Tutte'

Four drawn characters match up amongst each other MN Opera Cosi Fan Tutte

"Fra gli amplessi" - performed by Kylie Kreucher and Ángel Vargas

"In uomini" - performed by Lindsay Ohse

Minnesota Opera

Relationships are difficult! The Minnesota Opera prepares for Mozart’s 'Cosi fan tutte'

Minnesota Orchestra - October 17, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - October 10, 2025

On this upcoming Minnesota Orchestra concert with guest conductor David Afkham, explore the music of Kurt Weill and three extraordinary French composers. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, on YourClassical MPR.


Conductor David Afkham poses with his baton 

Thomas Søndergård: Taken by the Sound | Minnesota Orchestra

Celebrating a Century on the Airwaves

Minnesota Orchestra

Gisela Schenker

David Afkham returns to Orchestra Hall 

Saturday Cinema - Oct. 25, 2025

Ward Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted with authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers. He is also a past winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Jacobson's love of classical music stems from a childhood influenced by his bass-baritone father and piano-teaching mother. While still a college student in Nebraska, he began singing with the Abendmusik Chorus and took part in concert tours to venues as varied as Englands Lincoln Cathedral, the Vatican, Salzburg Cathedral, Auschwitz and Moscow. When not singing, he works to develop his guitar-strumming repertoire.


Ward Jacobson

On the latest episode of Saturday Cinema, join guest host Ward Jacobson for a show dedicated to creepy classics: ‘The Bride of Frankenstein,’ ‘Dracula,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘The Mummy’ and more. Listen now! 


Saturday Cinema

Hollywood Halloween with guest host Ward Jacobson

Concerts at the Library of Congress at 100

Tom Huizenga

For a century, the tiny Coolidge Auditorium, at the Library of Congress, has been a wellspring of cultural integrity, innovative music and American ingenuity. (And free concerts.)


Shawn Miller/Library of Congress

One of music's best kept secrets celebrates 100 years, quietly

Tom Crann and Shruthi Rajasekar

Indian classical music meets Minnesota choral music this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the premiere of composer Shruthi Rajasekar’s ‘Sarojini,’ performed by Nirmala Rajasekar and Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi alongside Minneapolis-based VocalEssence. Listen as host Tom Crann speaks with Shruthi about the piece.


Interview: Shruthi Rajasekar

Composer Shruthi Rajasekar during an interview

Shruthi Rajasekar on the Veena and Mridangam

Shruthi Rajasekar On Making the Veena Sing

MPR/APM

Shruthi Rajasekar melds Indian and Western classical traditions in 'Sarojini'

Rhapsody in Black - Tosin Abasi

Guitarist Tosin Abasi uses the influences of punk, funk, jazz and classical to forge a voice that doesn’t fit into any single category. He’s one of the most innovative guitarists alive today. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


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