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 alongside the Cleveland Orchestra in 2023. Nelson talks about Walker’s music and the many challenges he faced as a Black pianist and composer. 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 - August 23, 2023

Steve Seel is the host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast and the trailblazing music show Extra Eclectic. He possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense.  In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.


Steve Seel

As we continue our samplings from the 2023 BBC Proms Festival, host Steve Seel features two  new pieces recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall: Derrick Skye's ‘Nova Plexus’ and Peruvian composer Jimmy Bellido's ‘Peru Negro.’ Listen now!


Johanna Siegmann 

Two premieres at the Proms 

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Ashley Jackson

New Classical Tracks - Ashley Jackson

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 this week’s New Classical Tracks, harpist Ashley Jackson collaborates with the Harlem Chamber Players in the album ‘Ennanga,’ featuring music exploring the African American and West African roots in American music. 


Provided

Harpist Ashley Jackson and Harlem Chamber Players explore African roots

On this episode of SymphonyCast, we have another BBC Proms exclusive with host Steve Seel, as conductor Mark Elder and the Hallé orchestra present a Russian pairing of music by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Dmitri Shostakovich. 


BBC Proms No. 16

Jon Kimura Parker shares his love and admiration for British singer, pianist and composer Elton John. Listen as he shares a snippet of a song that shaped his youth with YourClassical MPR host Melissa Ousley.


Minnesota Orchestra

Acclaimed classical pianist surprises with Elton John

Jon Kimura Parker shares his passion for Sergei Rachmaninoff's 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini' with YourClassical MPR host Melissa Ousley. Find out what makes this well-loved classical piece tick.


 Courtney Perry/Minnesota Orchestra

Pianist Jon Kimura Parker explains what makes Rachmaninoff's 'Paganini' tick

Saturday Cinema August, 19

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 this episode of Saturday Cinema, for Aug. 19, host Lynne Warfel plays listener requests for their favorite film scores, featuring an hour devoted to Jerry Goldsmith, including his music for 'Alien,' 'Chinatown' and 'Tora! Tora! Tora!'



Listener requests, Part 1

Classical Programs - August 18, 2023

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

Host Steve Staruch plays listener requests on the Aug. 18, 2023, episode of Friday Favorites. Listen now.


James Napoli/APM

Friday Favorites for Aug. 18

Rhapsody in Black - Allison Loggins-Hull

Flutist, composer and producer Allison Loggins-Hull is often described as someone whose work ‘defies classification.’ Co-founder of the boundary-breaking flute duo Flutronix and the Cleveland Orchestra’s Daniel R. Lewis Composer Fellow, her music and performances reflect current events, responding to humanitarian, political and social justice themes. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Flutist, composer and producer Allison Loggins-Hull 'defies classification'

Extra Eclectic - August 16, 2023

Host Steve Seel gives us a variety of music on Extra Eclectic this week. The program features works by Missy Mazzoli, Jeff Beal and more. Listen now!
