This week John Birge looks back on the life of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim and the great productions he put on in Minnesota. 


Birge's Picks

John Birge

Send in the Sondheim and his great Minnesota productions

Candles Burning Brightly 2021

Hosted by Mindy Ratner, ‘Candles Burning Brightly’ is a one-hour celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights with an exploration of holiday foods and traditional activities — and plenty of music. 


Holiday

Candles Burning Brightly

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. This year's presentation, “Love Divine,” features more than 400 student musicians performing from the college in Northfield, Minn.


St. Olaf College

Enjoy the 2021 St. Olaf Christmas Festival

New Classical Tracks - John Jeter (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - John Jeter

Conductor John Jeter continues his series of recording the works of American composer Florence Prince in his new album with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the album!


New Classical Tracks

University of Arkansas

Conductor John Jeter continues to celebrate the works of Florence Price

Here is a day-by-day guide to all of our special holiday programming for the 2021 season, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.


Marina Khrapova/Unsplash

2021 Classical Holiday Programming Schedule

Share the joys of the music you love with young listeners through YourClassical Storytime — classic stories with a classical twist!


Nancy Carlson for MPR

YourClassical Storytime

YourClassical offers a variety of free email newsletters, including YourClassical MPR Post, with exclusive content, giveaways and more. Sign up now!


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A free, downloadable piece of classical music every weekday.


Daily Download

YC Featured Podcast

Musical siblings Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason debut their first duo album

Violinist Daniel Hope embarks on his most creative project to date

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho revisits Frédéric Chopin 

Pianist Jeremy Denk revisits his favorite childhood composer, Mozart  

ARC Ensemble honors composer Dmitri Klebanov

Pianist Daniil Trifonov loves spending time with Bach

Pianist Jean Yves-Thibaudet enjoys complete freedom on 'Carte Blanche'

Violinist Randall Goosby finds inspiration in his heritage 

Pianist Beyza Yazgan tells a story about her homeland

For young listeners and their families, hosted by Liz Lyon and produced by Melanie Renate


APM/MPR

Calming Sounds

Sounds of Debussy

The Slow Lento

The Piano

Something Spooky

Valerie Coleman

Forte

An Intro to Percussion

Navigating Changes

Chopin and His Piano

YourClassical Adventures

'Stone Soup'

'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'

'KinderLute'

'Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten'

'Old Nasuk and the Flying Song'

'The Three Billy Goats Gruff'

'Old Mother Hubbard'

'The Gingerbread Man'

'The King With Donkey Ears'

'The Bremen Town Musicians'

Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 28: 3rd movement

Ludwig van Beethoven - Violin Sonata No. 9 "Kreutzer": 3rd movement

Johann Albrechtsberger - Trombone Concerto: Finale

Franz Joseph Haydn - Piano Concerto No. 11: 3rd movement

Christian Gottlob Neefe - Six Pieces from W.A. Mozart's Die Zauberflote: Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen

Franz Joseph Haydn - Piano Trio No. 29: 3rd movement

Johann Albrechtsberger - Prelude and Fugue for Four Hands

Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2: Urlicht

Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 7: 4th movement

Gustav Mahler -  Symphony No. 6 "Tragic": 3rd movement

Can you name the hidden tune and the composer whose style it copies?


Play the Piano Puzzler® for December 1, 2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 11/24/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 11/17/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 11/10/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 11/03/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 10/27/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 10/20/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 10/13/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 10/06/2021

Performance Today - Piano Puzzler 09/29/2021

Piano Puzzler®

YC podcasts collection

The University of Minnesota's 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute concert moves online this year and honors the legacy of John Lewis. Featuring music from spirituals to pop, the event on Jan. 17, hosted by VocalEssence's G. Phillip Shoultz III is a fitting tribute to the civil right leader's legacy.


Provided

Watch: University of Minnesota's 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute

The Spelman College Glee Club from Atlanta, Ga., visited Classical MPR for a live broadcast. Watch now as they perform 'Wade in the Water' and 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.'


Send in the Sondheim and his great Minnesota productions

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