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

Rhapsody in Black - 20240829

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

Jimi Hendrix, who set London’s club scene ablaze and literally set his guitar ablaze while performing at Woodstock, also had a burning desire to study classical music. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Linda McCartney/National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian Institution

Legendary rocker Jimi Hendrix loved classical music

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 29, 2025

With Halloween approaching in just a couple days, the sounds veer toward the spooky on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ featuring music by Michael Daugherty, Anna Clyne, Jakabs Jancevskis and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


Christina Kernohan

Modern sounds for Halloween

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - October 29, 2025

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Thomas Sondergard @ Leila Josefowicz

New Classical Tracks - Thomas Sondergard @ Leila Josefowicz

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 Minnesota Orchestra, led by Thomas Søndergård and joined by violinist Leila Josefowicz, present the premiere recording of a new symphony and violin concerto by Thomas Adès. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Frank Merchlewitz

Minnesota Orchestra, Sondergard and Josefowicz premiere music by Ades

Interview: Minnesota Opera presents 'Cosi Fan Tutte'

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 Kylie Kreucher, Ángel Vargas and Lindsay Ohse, as well as director Doug Scholz-Carlson, in preparation for the Minnesota Opera’s opening night of Mozart’s ‘Così fan tutte,’ taking place this Saturday, Nov. 1. Listen now!


Minnesota Opera

Relationships are difficult! The Minnesota Opera prepares for Mozart’s 'Cosi fan tutte'

Saturday Cinema - Oct. 25, 2025

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, join guest host Ward Jacobson for a show dedicated to creepy classics: ‘The Bride of Frankenstein,’ ‘Dracula,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘The Mummy’ and more. Listen now! 


Hollywood Halloween with guest host Ward Jacobson

Concerts at the Library of Congress at 100

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Tom Huizenga

For a century, the tiny Coolidge Auditorium, at the Library of Congress, has been a wellspring of cultural integrity, innovative music and American ingenuity. (And free concerts.)


Shawn Miller/Library of Congress

One of music's best kept secrets celebrates 100 years, quietly

Interview: Shruthi Rajasekar

Indian classical music meets Minnesota choral music this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the premiere of composer Shruthi Rajasekar’s ‘Sarojini,’ performed by Nirmala Rajasekar and Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi alongside Minneapolis-based VocalEssence. Listen as host Tom Crann speaks with Shruthi about the piece.


MPR/APM

Shruthi Rajasekar melds Indian and Western classical traditions in 'Sarojini'

Rhapsody in Black - 20251023

Guitarist Tosin Abasi uses the influences of punk, funk, jazz and classical to forge a voice that doesn’t fit into any single category. He’s one of the most innovative guitarists alive today. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Grwynn

Tosin Abasi is a guitar trailblazer

Extra Eclectic - Oct. 22, 2025

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Steve Seel brings us a classical-jazz dialogue, including jazz harpist Brandee Younger’s ‘Essence of Ruby,’ Joel Puckett’s Trumpet Concerto and music by Thelonius Monk and Wynton Marsalis. Listen now!


Erin O'Brian

Classical meets jazz

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20251022

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Mahan Esfahani

New Classical Tracks - Mahan Esfahani

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani brings the first book of J.S. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ to life on his latest recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


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