Classical Minnesota Stories

The University of St. Thomas music department debuted its most recent commission, an epic operatic melodrama called 'Christina's Memory Garden.'

Composer Jeff Beal has written more than just the Emmy-winning score to Netflix's political drama "House of Cards." He recently finished a flute concerto which received its world premiere by soloist Sharon Bezaly, conductor Osmo Vanska, and the Minnesota Orchestra.

From China to St. Paul, pipa player Gao Hong recounts her journey to the United States and her creative process alongside oud player Issam Rafea in their new CD, 'Life as Is.'

Scottish hymn composer John Bell is coming to Minneapolis on Saturday, April 21, to lead a Big Sing in celebration of Earth Day. But the community musical event will have much more, including the Twin Cities-based Tiyumba African Drum and Dance Company (pictured) and 11-year-old hip-hop artist Priest Jones.

This weekend, organist Cameron Carpenter performs Rachmaninoff with the Minnesota Orchestra. Carpenter has a lot of opinions on organs, especially the digital one he conceived. Hear his performance live Friday night on Classical MPR.

Choral composer Thomas Tallis lived through the reign of alternating Catholic and Protestant monarchs, each one changing the laws surrounding how sacred music could be composed. Now, his struggles come to life in the Twin Cities premiere of the drama 'Thomas Tallis,' presented by Orchard Theater Collective in a candlelit church.

Located in the small Minnesota city of Chatfield, the Chatfield Music Lending Library is the largest collection of brass band music available for hire in the world -- almost 100,000 pieces of music.

Acclaimed for her extraordinary lyricism, technique and versatility, multiple Grammy winner Sharon Isbin has been hailed as "the pre-eminent guitarist of our time." Despite living away from the Twin Cities for most of her life, she still has some Minnesota in her.

Cellist Janet Horvath reflects on her parents' darkest memories of the Holocaust in her new multimedia production, 'It's Not Too Late to Stop the Hate.'

Robert Elhai has worked on the music for Hollywood blockbusters like 'The Avengers' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' TV hits such as 'Hawaii Five-O,' and theatrical sensations like Broadway's 'The Lion King.' He's even worked with the heavy metal band Metallica and on a 'Call of Duty' video game. And he's done it all while living in Minneapolis.