Saturday Cinema - Sept. 09, 2023

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,’ Lynne Warfel celebrates the much more than five-year mission of ‘Star Trek’ on its 57th anniversary with a survey of the fine music composed for the original TV series and later incarnations.


To boldly go where no music has gone before

Classical Programs - Friday Favorites, Sept. 08, 2023

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

From an all-Dvorak hour celebrating his 182nd birthday to a walk through an autumn apple orchard, the Friday Favorites program for Sept. 8, 2023, was a sweet treat for the ear (and the imagination!). Listen now with host Steve Staruch.





James Napoli/APM

A celebration of Dvorak and autumn

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Tom Huizenga

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performs a Tiny Desk Concert featuring a set of contemplative music, including a piece by Philip Glass, sing sweetly on her $16 million instrument.


YouTube

Elizabeth Gillis/NPR

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers performs a contemplative Tiny Desk Concert

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

Rhapsody in Black -Plínio Fernandes

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

Afro-Brazilian guitarist Plinio Fernandes’ style is a unique alchemy of the Brazilian folk and popular songs he grew up with, Latin classical traditions and the Western canon. He recently released his debut album and is working to teach and inspire new generations of musicians. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Provided

Afro-Brazilian guitarist Plinio Fernandes uses unique style to inspire and teach new generations

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

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, Steve Seel showcases the world premiere of composer Judith Weir’s work ‘Begin Afresh,’ which took place at the 2023 BBC Proms Festival on Aug. 24. It's a piece that Weir says was inspired by the trees and plants that she observed during the changing seasons over the course of a year. Listen now!


Celebrating the changing of seasons

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Marc-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller

New Classical Tracks - September  6, 2023

New Classical Tracks - Mark-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller

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 this week’s episode of New Classical Tracks, Canadian pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin presents his latest recording, ‘Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles,’ featuring music by Gabriel Faure, as well as a collaboration with pianist and radio host-producer Cathy Fuller. Find out more!


Marc-Andre Hamelin and Cathy Fuller present 'Faure: Nocturnes and Barcarolles'

Listen to the Story

John Ruwitch

In a country where open expressions of sorrow can be interpreted as political, Peng Haitao's piano performance in public strikes a chord with many in China.


Luisella Planeta Leoni/Pixabay 

How a man's sorrowful public piano song helped console many in China

Ryan Ross on 'Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death'

Beloved Minnesota author Bill Holm’s iconic poem ‘Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death’ is the text for a new song cycle by Minnesota composer Martha Helen Schmidt. Steve Staruch spoke with baritone Ryan Hugh Ross, who along with pianist Daniel Rieppel is performing it around Minnesota, about the poet’s larger-than-life presence and the new work.


Ed Choo

Singer Ryan Hugh Ross delves into song cycle based on Bill Holm's 'Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death'

Saturday Cinema - September  2, 2023

On this episode of ‘Saturday Cinema’ for the first weekend of September, host Lynne Warfel surveys music from films about working folks and school days, including selections from the scores of ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Norma Rae’ and ‘Dead Poet's Society.’ Listen now.


Labor Day and back to school

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks to conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra about its second international tour.


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