{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"","type":"text"}]}]}

Tom Huizenga

"Deep River," the beloved American spiritual, gets heard in strikingly diverse settings. But the award-winning British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason has a special connection to the music, as heard on a new recording. Listen now.


Robin Clewley

Robin Clewley/Robin Clewley/Courtesy of the artist

Listen: Isata Kanneh-Mason plays the beloved spiritual 'Deep River'

Fourth of July with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Join Julie Amacher for an hour of traditional, patriotic choral music performed by the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.


The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

Listen to the Story

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with director Chana Gazit and dancer Peter Anastos about the new film Ballerina Boys, which details the history of an all-male ballerina troupe founded in the '70s.


Nass, Daniel

How a bunch of boys changed ballet forever

Lettie Alston, "Lift Every Voice and Sing"

Lara Downes, "A Change Is Gonna Come"

Rachel Martin

Vince Pearson

As part of an ongoing series, NPR's Rachel Martin talks to pianist Lara Downes about classical recordings of "Lift Every Voice" and "A Change Is Gonna Come," to mark Black Music Month and Juneteenth.


Courtesy of artist

Courtesy of the artist

Celebrating Juneteenth and Black Music Month with classical classics

Juneteenth: Remembrance

Juneteenth: Celebration

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. 

Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

'Juneteenth: Remembrance and Celebration' (2021)

Cantus Celebrates Brave 2021

What does it mean to be a man? How do we define "masculinity" in these rapidly changing times? And what values to fathers want to pass on to their sons today? Join host Steve Seel and Cantus for the special program Brave, which seeks to answer these questions through music and words.


Courtesy of the ensemble

Explore the concept of masculinity with vocal ensemble Cantus

Fields of Wonder

Join Cantus for Fields of Wonder, a special program that explores the relationship between composers and the poets whose words they set to music.


Federico Respini/Unsplash

Alone Together with Cantus

Join Cantus for 'Alone Together,' a special program highlighting mental-health topics including depression and anxiety. This program is a collaboration with Call to Mind.


American Public Media

Listen to 'Alone Together' with Cantus

Graduation Playlist

Listen to our playlist for music to accompany your at-home graduation ceremony or celebration.


Seyi Ariyo/Unsplash

Graduation: Let us add 'Pomp and Circumstance' and other great music to your celebration

Scott Blankenship started his radio career in college when he began working as a volunteer at a local cable radio station, announcing alternative and new rock music. His love and appreciation of classical music began at public radio station KVNO in Omaha, where he spent 13 years in various on-air and management roles, five of those years as the morning drive-time host.

Indications that radio was in his blood go back to age five, when he used a corkboard and a battered phonograph as a makeshift radio studio; his father's Air Force issue flashlight served as his "on air" light. In his spare time, Blankenship is an avid cyclist and amateur playwright with several produced scripts to his credit.


Scott Blankenship

Minnesota's Great Lake, Superior, provides the base for the straightforward and masterfully made brews at Hoops Brewing in Duluth. Head brewer Dave Hoops joins host Scott Blankenship in this episode of Hop Notes, with music from Jean Sibelius accompanying beers made from the "best brewing water on Earth." 


Listen

Stories