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

Rhapsody in Black - 20240620

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

Michelle Cann is a trailblazing African American concert pianist and teacher who is inspiring the next generation of musicians at the Manhattan School of Music and the Curtis Institute.  Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Steven Mareazi Willis

Pianist Michelle Cann inspires next generation as a noted music teacher

Extra Eclectic - April 16, 2025

With Earth Day on the way this coming Tuesday, Steve Seel presents two hours of contemporary classical pieces on themes of the environment on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now!


Pete Woodhead

Earth and sky

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Phoenix Chorale

New Classical Tracks - April 16, 2025

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 Phoenix Chorale and its artistic director Christopher Gabbitas explore the ways that earth’s rotation and seasons mark our time and emotions as humans on their latest recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Chris Loomis

Phoenix Chorale and Christopher Gabbitas explore seasons and time through music

Did AI Bring This Famous Musician Back To Life?


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Chloe Veltman

An art installation in Perth, Australia, seeks to extend the musical output of the late experimental composer Alvin Lucier, and asks interesting questions about the nature of creativity.


Markus Schreiber/AP

An American composer's biological matter creates new music from beyond the grave

Saturday Cinema - April 12, 2025

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 on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate April birthdays in the world of film as well as some noteworthy film anniversaries. Listen now!


April birthdays and film anniversaries

Award-winning composer William Finn dies at 73

Jeff Lunden

The award-winning composer and lyricist William Finn died this week. He's best known for "Falsettos" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."


Walter McBride / Getty

Friday Favorites - April 11, 2025

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

From a ‘Surprise Symphony’ by Haydn to passionate storytelling by Chopin to a grand chorus by Handel, this week’s episode of ‘Friday Favorites’ was an eclectic dream machine. Be transported to your favorite spring place with sunny requests from YourClassical MPR’s listeners. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


James Napoli/APM

Friday Favorites: Listener requests to welcome spring

Longtime music host and performer Andrea Blain presents classical music programming including national specials, opera and other live broadcasts and holiday programs. She also is part of a team that works on content and scripting for ‘Rhapsody in Black’ and has voiced several episodes of YourClassical Storytime.


Andrea Blain

This National Poetry Month, join host Andrea Blain for ‘Words and Music of Black America,’ a special featuring music with texts by Black poets. Listen now!


georgeclerk/Getty Images

'Words and Music of Black America'

Rhapsody in Black - Wynton Marsalis

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is internationally known for his outstanding career in jazz. Many don’t know that he has also found success in classical music.  Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Wynton Marsalis has jazz and classical chops

Extra Eclectic - April 9, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’: National Poetry Month is an opportunity to explore modern classical sounds that set poetry. Host Steve Seel features works by John Adams, Caroline Shaw and others — in settings of the poetry of Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver and more. Listen now!


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