An ecstatic exploration of classical music that’s aesthetically and uncompromisingly Black.

Rhapsody in Black - Henry T. Burleigh and his new American sound

Baritone Henry T. Burleigh, who worked with Antonin Dvorak, is a forgotten figure in American music history. Find out how they helped create a new identity for American sound in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Albany Times-Union 

Henry T. Burleigh and his new American sound

Creating Peace Across Borders

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

Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble asks, “What happens when strangers meet?” The idea of "creating peace across borders" is on many people’s minds now, and that’s the focus of this week’s Extra Eclectic, with Steve Seel. 


Max Whittaker

Creating peace across borders

Jeffrey Yelverton is a digital producer of classical music for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. He supports the digital portfolio of MPR/APM by creating original content and providing production support for YourClassical Storytime, New Classical Tracks and various seasonal events.


Digital Producer, Classical

Jeffrey Yelverton

Here are six works to celebrate the Ukrainian people’s rich musical heritage, providing comfort in these difficult times.


Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images

Six works that celebrate Ukraine's distinctive musical heritage

Rhapsody in Black - Marian Anderson could sing!

Contralto Marian Anderson sang her way to the top. Despite racism and sexism, she found support from first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and sang at the Lincoln Memorial. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


London Express/Getty Images

Singer Marian Anderson triumphed over obstacles

New Classical Tracks - Steven Beck (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Steven Beck

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

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, pianist Steven Beck celebrates composer George Walker by recording all of Walker’s piano sonatas in his new album, ‘George Walker: Five Piano Sonatas.’ Enter for a chance to win the CD!


Beowulf Sheehan/Talea Ensemble

Pianist Steven Beck celebrates composer George Walker

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Kevin O'Connor migrated to the Pacific Northwest, landing the requisite free-form overnight shift at his college station, KBSU, Boise. This was the first among many rungs in a public radio career that has always permitted him to express his passions for great music and explore his mercenary tendency toward spreading the message to anyone who will listen.





Kevin O'Connor

“Jazz is America’s classical music.” Is that really true? With the hope of tearing down a fence or two, here are 10 prominent jazz performers who went beyond dabbling or slumming in classical music. 


Ronald Dumont/Express/Getty Images

Is jazz really America's classical music?

Lift Every Voice

Julie Amacher and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu host this special that presents a collection of powerful songs, stories and interviews with some of today's most acclaimed Black artists and scholars. 


Josh Rocklage/Unsplash

Lift Every Voice: A musical story from sorrow to justice

Richard Egarr returns to lead the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in a delightful program of works from London, including pieces by Henry Purcell, William Lawes and Franz Joseph Haydn. Join host Steve Seel for YourClassical MPR’s live broadcast of the concert at 8 p.m. Saturday.


Courtesy of the artist

Conductor Richard Egarr returns to lead the SPCO

New Classical Tracks - Francesca Anderegg (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Francesca Anderegg

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violinist Francesca Anderegg explores works from composers that represent the Americas in her new album, ‘Brave New Worlds: Music from the Americas.’ 


Francesca Anderegg

Violinist Francesca Anderegg explores the Americas

Listen to the Story

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Jewly Hight

A contemporary brass band that grew out of one of Nashville's historically Black universities is helping to expand the lost musical identity of the country capital. 


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