Friday Favorites - May 2, 2025

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Joe Goetz

Guest host Joe Goetz fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now! 


YourClassical MPR

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with guest host Joe Goetz

YourClassical Storytime - June  1, 2025

Get ready to move and gallop in ‘Toroi Bandi,’  the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime featuring traditional Mongolian folk music and original illustration and animation by Joseph Midthun and Daniel Hoffstrom. Listen now!


Joseph Midthun for MPR.

'Toroi Bandi'

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

Rhapsody in Black - 20250227

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

Paul Robeson was a star of stage and screen, but his passion was sharing spirituals. His goal was to elevate them to the same level as other musical forms. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Provided

Paul Robeson brought spirituals and Black history to the main stage

Extra Eclectic - April 30, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Jake Armerding shares contemporary classical selections inspired by folk music from around the world. Featured artists include Stewart Duncan, Yo-Yo Ma, Tessa Lark and more. Listen now!


Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

Folk inspirations with guest host Jake Armerding

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Khatia Buniatishvili

New Classical Tracks - Khatia Buniatishvili

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,’ Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili dedicates her 10th album to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart alongside the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Esther Haase

Khatia Buniatishvili pays homage to W.A. Mozart

In order to have conversations -- start by singing

Katia Riddle

To foster equity and community, people gather several times a year to sing together in Portland, Oregon. The woman behind this effort has twice been nominated for a Grammy in music education.


Chad Lanning for Portland State University

In order to have conversations — start by singing

Violinist Esther Abrami uncovers 'hidden treasure' of music by women

Olivia Hampton

French violinist and social media influencer Esther Abrami releases her new album, Women, featuring music by female composers in a bid to redress historic biases.


Hauskonzerte

Luke Kirby on 'Etoile', a show set in the world of ballet dancers in New York and Paris

Martha Ann Overland

Lauren Frayer

NPR's Lauren Frayer speaks with Luke Kirby of TV's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" about his role in the new show "Etoile." Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino wrote both shows.


Philippe Antonello/Prime Video

Saturday Cinema - April 26, 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,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate April birthdays in the world of film, including James Garner, Andre Previn, Charlie Chaplin, Miklos Rozsa and Henry Mancini. Listen now!


More April birthays

Friday Favorites - April 25, 2025

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

Guest host Julie Amacher fills in for Steve Staruch on the latest episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ playing listeners’ requests for their favorite classical music. Listen now! 


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