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Saturday Cinema - Jan. 3, 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 honors famous folks who died in 2025, remembering their careers and films we love. Listen now!



Saturday Cinema

In Memoriam

Minnesota Orchestra - Jan. 1, 2026

On Thursday, Jan. 1, the Minnesota Orchestra rang in 2026 with pianist Aaron Diehl and a program featuring music by Tilson Thomas, Andres, Bernstein and Copland. Listen to the concert now!


An orchestra performs onstage in a large concert hall

Thomas Søndergård: Taken by the Sound | Minnesota Orchestra

Celebrating a Century on the Airwaves

Minnesota Orchestra

Laura Buhman for MPR

Listen: A New Year’s Celebration with the Minnesota Orchestra

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

Rhapsody in Black - Carlos Simon

Carlos Simon is a Grammy-nominated composer and an activist for Black and brown representation in classical music. His latest work, ‘Good News Mass,’ is unlike anything he’s done before. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Rhapsody in Black

Toko Shiik

Carlos Simon's 'Good News Mass'

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Sharon Isbin

New Classical Tracks - Sharon Isbin

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - John Jeter

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20251105

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Melanie DeMore

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Avi Avital

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Jess Gillam

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Wynton Marsalis

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Janoska Ensemble

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Jonathan Biss

New Classical Tracks (extended interview) - JoAnne Polk

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Sarah Bassingthwaighte

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

We love sharing the most exciting new recordings on New Classical Tracks every year. Listen to this special end-of-year encore of the year’s most popular episodes and find out which other albums made the top-10 list. Listen now!


New Classical Tracks® 

J Henry Fair

Listen to New Classical Tracks' top episodes of 2025

'Every Good Thing'

'Songs of Thanks' with Cantus

'Welcome Christmas'

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

Christmas at Luther

All Is Bright

A Chanticleer Christmas

Carols as Home with Imani Winds

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

Tales of Christmas with Cantus

Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square 2021

Echoes of Christmas

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

Hollywood Holiday: Ebenezer Edition

'The Sound of Cinnamon'

'In Winters Glow'

Classical Feature - Holiday - A Soulful Christmas

St. Olaf Christmas Festival - Our Hope for Years to Come

YourClassical Christmas Favorites 2025

'Candles Burning Brightly'

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.


Thanksgiving Playlist: Classical Music for Holiday Meals - YourClassical MPR Playlist

YourClassical Storytime: Lurkey is Lost!

YourClassical Storytime: Something From Nothing - The Story of Fry Bread

YourClassical Storytime: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

YourClassical Storytime: The Nutcracker

YourClassical Storytime: Christmas Every Day

YourClassical Storytime: The Snow Maiden

YourClassical Storytime: Why Evergreens Never Lose Their Leaves

Holiday Favorites: Classical music for Christmas - YourClassical MPR Playlist

YourClassical Storytime: The Lost Menorah

Holiday

Jamie Street/Unsplash

Listen to our 2025 winter holiday specials on demand

Saturday Cinema - Dec. 27, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ guest host Bonnie North shares two hours of listeners’ requests for music from their favorite films and TV shows, including ‘The Sound of Music,’ ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Listen now! 


December listener requests with guest host Bonnie North

Jeffrey Yelverton is a digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He supports the digital portfolio of MPR/APM by creating original content and providing production support for YourClassical Storytime, New Classical Tracks and various seasonal events.


Digital Producer, Classical

Jeffrey Yelverton

During Kwanzaa, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 1, we celebrate African-American culture with composers that have imbued the essence of the Seven Principles in their timeless and joyous music hosted by Jeffrey Yelverton.


Mandel Ngan/Getty Images

We Stand on Top of the Mountain: A Kwanzaa Celebration

Rhapsody in Black - Everett McCorvey and the American Spiritual Ensemble

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

Founded in 1995 by Everett McCorvey, the American Spiritual Ensemble teaches about the history and traditions of enslaved people in America through the power of music. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


Rhapsody in Black - March 16, 2023

Ain't Got Time to Die (feat. Everett McCorvey) (Live)

Amen (feat. Everett McCorvey)

Nate Ryan | MPR

Everett McCorvey and the American Spiritual Ensemble keep our heritage alive

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Sarah Willis

New Classical Tracks - Sarah Willis

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ horn player Sarah Willis talks about her latest project, a holiday album titled ‘Cuban Christmas’ featuring her band, the Sarahbanda. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - December 24, 2025

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Sarah Willis

The Sarahbanda  live in Salzburg - Mozart´s Romanza a la Cubana

Monika Rittershaus

Sarah Willis and the Sarahbanda dance the holidays away with 'Cuban Christmas'

In 'The Choral,' music helps a small town finds hope in the midst of loss 

Michel Martin

Olivia Hampton

A northern English town loses its best choral singers to fighting in World War I but finds new hope in a time of loss through music in Nicholas Hytner's new film "The Choral," featuring Ralph Fiennes.


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