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

Rhapsody in Black - Elisha Nelson and George Walker

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

Violist Eliesha Nelson had the pleasure of meeting Pulitzer Prize winning composer George Walker a few times during her career. She developed a passion for his music and eventually performed it with the Cleveland Orchestra. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Luis Sinco/La Times/Getty Images

Violist Eliesha Nelson honors the music and memory of composer George Walker

Extra Eclectic - Jan. 29, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ the 2025 Grammy nominations for classical recordings have been announced — and they are filled with modern classical music. Host Steve Seel shares two hours of thrilling samples. Listen now!


Marta Arteaga

2025 Grammy nominees

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Jeremy Denk

New Classical Tracks - Jeremy Denk

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

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ host Julie Amacher speaks with pianist Jeremy Denk about his latest album, which was recorded with violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Steven Isserlis and features piano trios by Felix Mendelssohn. Listen now!


Provided

Denk, Bell and Isserlis join forces to record Mendelssohn's piano trios

Meet the world-famous Colombian conductor helping orchestra reach new audiences

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John Otis

Andres Orozco-Estrada is one of the most exciting conductors around. The Colombian has garnered rave reviews for his exuberance and his ability to connect with musicians and concertgoers.


Daniela Steinmacher

Saturday Cinema - Jan. 25, 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,’ at the request of a listener, host Lynne Warfel celebrates the 90th anniversary of 20th Century Fox Studios. Selections include music from ‘Cleopatra,’ ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ and more. Listen now!


90th Anniversary of 20th Century Fox Studios

Friday Favorites - Jan. 24, 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

The Project DJ co-host for this episode of ‘Friday Favorites’ is Anna Tessman. Violin is her passion! Anna is also an MPR Fellow learning the craft and art of radio. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-host Anna Tessman

Pianist David Kadouch probes gay composers' hidden loves, through music

Olivia Hampton

In his album Amours Interdites (Forbidden Love) French pianist David Kadouch explores music by gay composers who concealed their sexuality in societies that wouldn't otherwise accept them.


Marco Borggreve

Spring Moon: A Musical Celebration of the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year Greetings Pronunciations

Mindy Ratner is a host and producer on the Classical Music Service of Minnesota Public Radio, where she is heard on weekends. She began her career in public broadcasting following her graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working first for the local public television station and then for Wisconsin Public Radio. She moved on to stations in Cincinnati and Philadelphia before joining Minnesota Public Radio in 1983. In 1998 and '99, Ratner took a leave of absence to work as a music host and producer for China Radio International in Beijing. Her spare time is devoted to international travel; folk, ballroom and contradancing; singing in the Minnesota Chorale; her two cats, and trying to stay ahead of the weeds in her garden.


Mindy Ratner

Learn about the Lunar New Year and the significance of the zodiac signs as host Mindy Ratner presents ‘Spring Moon – A Musical Celebration of the Lunar New Year’ in conjunction with the Year of the Snake, which begins Jan. 29.


Thyla Jane/Unsplash

Listen: 'Spring Moon – A Musical Celebration of the Lunar New Year'

Rhapsody in Black - Hazel Scott

Pianist Hazel Scott was billed as ‘The Darling of Café Society’ due to her ability to sell out shows with her masterful improvisations. But her music was heavily intertwined with politics as she spoke up continually against segregation. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


photographer: James Kriegsmann, New York [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Hazel Scott 'jazzed up the classics' and stood up against segregation

Extra Eclectic - Jan. 22, 2025

As we mourn the continuing devastation of the fires in Los Angeles, we’ll hear music that acknowledges the precarious state of our environment on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel!


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