FA: Rhiannon Giddens

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Terry Gross

A self-described "folkie to the bone," Giddens sings and plays banjo and fiddle in this interview. Her latest album, Hope Is the Thing with Feathers, takes its name from an Emily Dickinson poem.


Karen Cox/Nonesuch Records

Rhiannon Giddens' banjo connects her to her ancestors: 'The spirits come through'

Saturday Cinema - Sept. 19, 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 famous folks born in September, including Mitzi Gaynor, Robert Wise, Walter Pidgeon, Deborah Kerr and Lauren Bacall. Listen now!


September birthdays

'Passion for Bach and Coltrane' with Imani Winds

'Passion for Bach and Coltrane' with Imani Winds (Updated)

Jeff Scott’s 2024 Grammy-nominated oratorio is full of inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach and jazz legend John Coltrane. ‘Passion for Bach and Coltrane’ with the Imani Winds is an innovative and surprising confluence of classical and jazz. Listen now with host Toyin Spellman-Diaz in celebration of Coltrane’s 100th anniversary!


Celebrate the Coltrane 100 with 'A Passion for Bach and Coltrane' with Imani Winds

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

Rhapsody in Black - Randall Goosby

Randall Goosby has been playing violin since he was seven, including studying with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the trajectory of his career shows no signs of slowing down. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Kaupo Kikkas

Violinist Randall Goosby enjoys meteoric rise but remains grounded

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20260916

New Classical Tracks - 20260916

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

Concert Master Steven Copes and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra join pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman for a new project that takes works by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev and reimagines them for chamber orchestra. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.


St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

Steven Copes, Stephen Prutsman and the SPCO reimagine Sergei Prokofiev

 Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony concert hosted by Steve Staruch

Classical Performances - Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony

This summer, the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) wowed audiences during its New Zealand and Australia tour. Listen to the ensemble’s send-off concert — recorded at Orchestra Hall and hosted by Steve Staruch — from this past June.


GTCYS

Listen to GTCYS' send-off concert for its Australia and New Zealand tour

Classical Performances - September 27, 2026

Classical Performances - Cantus and Imani Concert Broadcast

Cantus and Imani Winds join forces for ‘My Ancestors Speak,’ a powerful joint concert that unites a stunning vocal octet and a dynamic wind quintet for story and song that explores and celebrates the rich, diverse cultural lineages of both ensembles. Listen to the concert now!


Courtesy of the artist

Cantus and Imani Winds explore identity, tradition and history in 'My Ancestors Speak'

Saturday Cinema - Sept. 12, 2026

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares music from films that won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress/Actor, including ‘Grumpier Old Men,’ ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ Listen now!


Thanks for the support

Classical Feature - Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays 2023

Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays

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

At this time of year, Jews around the world gather together to celebrate new beginnings. Listen as host Mindy Ratner guides us in a musical observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in 'Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays.’


Sonya Rapport

Listen: 'Music for the Days of Awe: An Observance of the Jewish High Holidays'

Rhapsody in Black - George Bridgetower

Violinist and composer George Bridgetower was good friends with Ludwig Van Beethoven. So much so that Beethoven wrote a violin sonata just for him. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Listen

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