Extra Eclectic - July 2, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Jake Armerding shares selections by American composers in observance of Independence Day. Listen now!


Hannah Arista

All American music with guest host Jake Armerding

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Jeneba Kanneh-Mason

New Classical Tracks - Jeneba Kanneh-Mason

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,’ British pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason releases her debut solo recording featuring ‘fantasies’ for the piano, including music by Florence Price and Alexander Scriabin. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Johanna Berghorn

Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason shines in pianistic 'Fantasie'

Saturday Cinema - June 28, 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 beloved movie musicals, from ‘Showboat’ to ‘Wicked’ and beyond. Listen now!


Classic movie musicals with guest host Bonnie North

Friday Favorites – June 27, 2025 (shortened)

Tom Crann is the host of All Things Considered for MPR News. He's been in the host chair since 2005. He has interviewed a wide range of public figures, including Minnesota's members of congress, politicians, experts, writers, and artists. He anchored Minnesota Public Radio's award-winning live coverage of the 35W bridge collapse. He has hosted other special coverage for MPR News, including live coverage of election nights since 2012.  He has been a host, producer, and interviewer for Minnesota Public Radio since 1995. 

His work on MPR News has been recognized with an Eric Severeid award, a regional Edward R. Murrow award, and a National Headliner award. He has also hosted the international cultural broadcasts "Sounds Irish" and "The Last Night of the Proms," a co-production with the BBC. 

In addition to his work in news, Crann has spent over 20 years hosting and producing classical music and cultural programs at public radio stations around the U.S, and for RTE/Lyric FM in Ireland, where he is still a contributor.


Tom Crann

This week on a shortened ‘Friday Favorites’: a couple of movie classics, including Bernard Hermann from Hitchcock’s ‘North by Northwest’ and Joe Hisaishi’s ‘Merry-go-round of Life.’ Also, two recordings by the Minnesota Orchestra: a chunk of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 and Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring.’ Listen now with host Tom Crann! 


Chris McDuffie/MPR News

Friday Favorites: Listener requests for scores and symphonies

'Mission: Impossible' composer Lalo Schifrin dies at 93

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Bob Mondello

Argentine pianist and composer Lalo Schifrin, best known for his scores for Mission: Impossible and more than 200 other films and TV shows, including Bullitt, Mannix and Cool Hand Luke, has died. 


VALERIE MACON / AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Classical Queery – Part 4 – Martha Mockus and Sonia Mantell

Classical Qeery – Part 4 – Pride

Classical Queery – Part 4 – Queer Joy

Classical Queery – Part 4 – Possibility

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, special guests answer the question: “Why should you care?”


Zoe Prinds-Flash

Classical Queery: 'Why should you care?'

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

Rhapsody in Black - Pamela Z

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

Pamela Z is a visionary artist who embraces new ideas about identity and technology in her music. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Donald Swearingen

Pamela Z expands the boundaries of classical music

Extra Eclectic - June 25, 2025

In 2016, pianist Jonathan Biss and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra launched ‘Beethoven/5,’ commissioning five composers to write new piano concertos, each inspired by one of Beethoven’s. We hear two of those works on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Listen now!


Benjamin Ealovega

Beethoven as a beginning

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Jonathan Biss

New Classical Tracks - Jonathan Biss

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ with host Julie Amacher, pianist Jonathan Biss talks about his Beethoven concerto project with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, including the latest release featuring a new concerto by Sally Beamish. Listen now!


Jonathan Biss combines Beamish and Beethoven

Lunar Reflections: A Classical Journey Through the Phases of the Moon

Join host Melanie Renate for ‘Lunar Reflections,’ a program that offers a unique blend of classical music and mindfulness. Each lunar phase is paired with evocative classical works, which help guide listeners through moments of introspection, creativity and renewal. Listen now!


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