Saturday Cinema - July 12, 2025

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

This week on Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel celebrates Bastille Day with a show dedicated to movies set in, made in or about France, including ‘Umbrellas of Cherbourg,’ ‘Irma Le Douce,’ ‘Casablanca’ and more. Listen now!


Bastille Day

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Bob Mondello

The Library of Congress' new collection includes more than 5,000 items from the Broadway legend, including ideas for Sweeney Todd lyrics and notes for Glynis Johns as she sang "Send in the Clowns."


Shawn Miller/Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim Collection, Music Division

Take a peek at Stephen Sondheim's papers, now at the Library of Congress

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

Rhapsody in Black - Andre 3000

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

Hip-hop artist and composer André 3000 released his latest album, ‘New Blue Sun,’ in 2023. The album revolves around compositions with wind instruments and is a result of his need to explore the many influences around him, both jazz and classical. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Emma McIntyre

Andre 3000 is a musician who never stops exploring

Extra Eclectic - July 9, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Bonnie North shares a program of modern dance music, including polonaises by Thomas Ades, excerpts from Wynton Marsalis’ ‘Blues Symphony,’ Stephen Jaffe’s ‘Light Dances’ and more. Listen now!


Marco Borggreve

Dance party with guest host Bonnie North

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Takács Quartet

New Classical Tracks - Takacs Quartet

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 Takács Quartet celebrates its 50th anniversary with a recording featuring Marc-André Hamelin on piano quintets by Dvořák and Price. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Amanda Tipton

Takacs Quartet and Marc-Andre Hamelin celebrate the ensemble's 50th anniversary

Tom Huizenga

The venerated string quartet makes a stop on its 50th anniversary tour to play music from the dawn of the string quartet era right up to the present.


Takács Quartet performs a Tiny Desk Concert as part of its 50th anniversary tour

Saturday Cinema - July 5, 2025

For host Bonnie North, classical music is more than just a genre — it's a way of life. She stumbled into the world of radio after responding to a newspaper ad for Vermont Public Radio seeking a classical music DJ for its Sunday afternoon show. Despite having no previous radio experience, she was confident in her knowledge of classical music and took a chance. She created an audition tape, and the rest is history. Her favorite composer depends on her mood. Sometimes she seeks the meditative sounds of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, while other times she craves the angular compositions of Igor Stravinsky. Of course, she also loves the classics by composers who include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. But she is always looking for contemporary composers and is eager to discover new musical talents. Outside of work, she loves to attend live music events. She also enjoys traveling and having friends and family scattered throughout the United States and Europe. But her love for animals is just as strong, and she often volunteers at animal shelters. She is an avid duathlon participant, combining her love for running and biking in one exciting event.


Bonnie North

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join guest host Bonnie North for a show dedicated to the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 most inspirational movies. Selections include music from ‘Chariots of Fire,’ ‘Forrest Gump,’ ‘E.T.,’ ‘Apollo 13,’ and more. Listen now!


Inspiration at the movies with guest host Bonnie North

Composer Ellie Wilson's new music is inspired by ecological data on moth movements

Scott Simon

The movement of moths inspires a new music project by composer Ellie Wilson. She used data shared by ecologists to create a piece where the insects take center stage.


Dimitri Djuric

YourClassical Fellow

Mya Temanson

In celebration of Pride, host Mya Temanson presents Classical Queery, a series that illustrates how classical music can uplift queer voices and how queer experiences can transform the classical music scene. This week, Waigwa of One Voice Mixed Chorus answers the question, ‘What is the power of community?’


Lou R.R. Zurn

Classical Queery: 'What is the power of community?'

Rhapsody in Black - The String Queens

The String Queens are a woman-powered string trio based out of Washington, D.C., who have made a difference in their community and in the classical music arena through their nontraditional programming and performances. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


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