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An ecstatic exploration of classical music that’s aesthetically and uncompromisingly Black.

Rhapsody in Black - Ryan Speedo Green

Bass baritone Ryan Speedo Green has experienced an all-too-familiar upbringing that is similar to many troubled Black youths in America. But with the support of an outstanding teacher, he beat the odds to become a rising star in opera. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Rhapsody in Black

Marty Sohl | Metropolitan Opera

Bass baritone Ryan Speedo Green has beaten the odds

Valerie Coleman finds unity in struggle

Steve Seel is the host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast and 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 is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.


Steve Seel

Valerie Coleman’s extended version of her work “Umoja” depicts the totality of the Black American experience — one filled with struggle, resilience and unity. Listen to it and more on the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, with host Steve Seel.


Extra Eclectic

Matthew Murphy

New Classical Tracks - Catalyst Quartet (Extended) 

New Classical Tracks - Catalyst Quartet

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 critiquing a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays and 5:15 p.m. Fridays.


Julie Amacher

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violist Paul Laraia of the Catalyst Quartet speaks about the group’s continuation of its series of recordings commemorating historically important Black composers with its latest album, ‘Uncovered, Vol. 2: Florence B. Price.’ 


Florence Price's "Go Down Moses" from her 4 Negro Folksongs for String Quartet, Catalyst Quartet

New Classical Tracks® 

Courtesy of artist

Catalyst Quartet continues its 'Uncovered' series with composer Florence Price

Juneteenth: Remembrance and Celebration

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, including hosting Music with Minnesotans, Regional Spotlight and Friday Favorites. 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, N.Y. 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

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

This Juneteenth we commemorate the holiday with two contrasting and power playlist — Remembrance and Celebration. Remembrance is about the past and represents the struggle of Black Americans to get to where we are today and Celebration is about the joy and jubilee felt in the presence of positive change for now and in the future. 

Mark Felix/AFP

'Juneteenth: Remembrance and Celebration' honors Black freedom (2022)

Erich Rieppel discusses his memory of working with Osmo Vänskä.

Osmo Vänskä Memories - Erich Rieppel

Osmo Vänskä Memories - Roma Duncan

Milana Reiche discusses her memory of inviting Osmo Vänskä to conduct the Bloomington Symphony.

Osmo Vänskä Memories - Milana Reiche

Stephen Hough discusses his memories of Osmo Vänskä.

Osmo Vänskä Memories - Stephen Hough

Nicholas Skrowaczewski discusses his memory of Osmo Vänskä visiting his father, Stan Skrowaczewski, towards the end of his life.

Osmo Vänskä Memories - Nicholas Skrowaczewski

This weekend, conductor Osmo Vänskä performs his final concerts as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. In celebration, listen to the memories of five exceptional individuals who were touched by his musicianship, kindness and creativity.


Nate Ryan/MPR

Osmo Vänskä's farewell: Listen to cherished memories of Minnesota Orchestra's music director

Whether you love cheese, yogurt or milk, you are sure to enjoy these six classical works to get you ‘moo’-ving during National Diary Month in June.


2 Nordic Melodies, Op. 63 (version for orchestra) : No. 2. Kulok and Stabbelaten

Gnarly Buttons, for clarinet and small orchestra (1996) : II. Hoedown (Mad Cow)

Garland Hirschi's Cows

Harmony Music No. 4, "The Farmyard"

Le Monde en Vitrine, Op. 75: I. The Greyhounds and the Cow

The Pretty Maid milkin' her cow

Mae Mu/Unsplash 

National Dairy Month: Listen to 6 classical pieces to get you 'moo'-ving

Listen to the Story

Julian Hayda

Ukraine's National Opera was built to celebrate Russian opera at the height of the imperial era. Performances were suspended after the war began but have recently re-started.


Courtesy of the Artist

Kyiv opera house reopens after 3 months

Foreign Films

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

This week’s episode of Saturday Cinema, with host Lynne Warfel, features music from classic foreign films including ‘La Dolce Vida,’ ‘Amelie,’ ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and more. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema

Friedrich, Alex

Lara Pellegrinelli

Visionary musician Ingram Marshall has died at the age of 80; a leading figure of the West Coast avant-garde music scene, Marshall forged unusual connections between minimalism and electronic music. 


Fog Tropes by Ingram Marshall

Ingram Marshall: September Canons

Clem Marshall/Clem Marshall

Nonesuch Records / Courtesy of the artist

Composer and performer Ingram Marshall dies at age 80

Marjorie Zien remembers her mother, Renee Hebert, who died of COVID-19 in 2020. She was 89.


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