New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - May 13, 2026

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Gil Shaham

New Classical Tracks - Gil Shaham

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,’ violinist Gil Shaham performs Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto alongside conductor Eric Jacobson and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Chris Lee

Gil Shaham, Eric Jacobson and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra perform Coleridge-Taylor

Extra Eclectic - May 11, 2026

Composers have quoted, borrowed from, and paid tribute to earlier composers for centuries, and Steve Seel brings us some contemporary examples on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Featured composers include Caroline Shaw, Greg Saunier and Curt Sydnor. Listen now!


Kait Moreno

Beats, Bach and Beethoven

FA: Will Sharpe (Amadeus)

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Ann Marie Baldonado

Sharpe played a newly rich tech bro on vacation in The White Lotus. Now he's starring as Mozart, a musical genius who struggles to "read the room" in a new limited TV series.


Adrienn Szabo/Starz

Will Sharpe imagines Mozart's day-to-day in 'Amadeus'

Earth, Wind & Fire's founder wrote orchestral music. It hadn't been heard until now

Hosts

An orchestra performs the world premiere of a piece by the late Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, 23 years after he composed it.


Carlo Allegri/Getty Images, via NPR

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. 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, New York. 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

Host Steve Staruch speaks with cast members Amanda Batista and Won Whi Choi, as well as Principal Coach and Chorus Director Celeste Marie Johnson, in preparation for the Minnesota Opera’s opening night of Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci,' this Saturday, May 9. Listen now!


Cory Weaver

Minnesota Opera presents Leoncavallo's 'Pagliacci' 

Saturday Cinema - May 9, 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 celebrates Mother’s Day with music from movies that celebrate moms and mother figures, including ‘Steel Magnolias,’ ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ ‘Hook’ and ‘Little Women.’ Listen now!


Moms!

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

Rhapsody in Black - Wynton Marsalis

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

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

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - May  6, 2026

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Leif Ove Andsnes

New Classical Tracks - Leif Ove Andsnes

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes pays tribute to Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt on his latest project featuring the composer’s only piano sonata, as well as folk tunes and songs performed by Andsnes’ sister: vocalist Solveig Andsnes. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Helge Hansen

Leif Ove and Solveig Andsnes honor Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt

Extra Eclectic - May 4, 2026

This annual “Star Wars Day” provides the inspiration for the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ with works about space and stars. Steve Seel also pays tribute to composer Michael Harrison, who died on April 17, with a performance of his ‘Just Constellations.’ Listen now!


UP Studio

May the fourth

Saturday Cinema - May 2, 2026

Ward Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted with authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers. He is also a past winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Jacobson's love of classical music stems from a childhood influenced by his bass-baritone father and piano-teaching mother. While still a college student in Nebraska, he began singing with the Abendmusik Chorus and took part in concert tours to venues as varied as Englands Lincoln Cathedral, the Vatican, Salzburg Cathedral, Auschwitz and Moscow. When not singing, he works to develop his guitar-strumming repertoire.


Ward Jacobson

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ guest host Ward Jacobsen celebrates famous folks born in May. Selections include music from ‘Superman,’ ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ ‘A Summer Place’ and more. Listen now!


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