MPR Hero Stories

Vote Now: The 2026 Karin Larson YourClassical Prize

Vote Now: The 2026 Karin Larson YourClassical Prize

Public voting is now open for the third annual Karin Larson YourClassical Prize! Visit our “Vote Now” pages to view the finalists in our Preprofessional Musician and Emerging Artist categories. Vote once for your favorite performer in each category to determine this year’s winners. Voting is open through June 7. Winners in each category will be announced on June 12. Each winner receives a cash prize and a recording studio session.

Hindoyan and Rieppel perform Akiho with the Minnesota Orchestra

Hindoyan and Rieppel perform Akiho with the Minnesota Orchestra

This Friday, May 29, Principal Timpani Erich Rieppel makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut, alongside guest conductor Domingo Hindoyan, with his performance of Andy Akiho’s Timpani Concerto. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. on YourClassical MPR.

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Time for Three, Joyce DiDinato and Kevin Puts bring Emily Dickinson's poetry to life
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Feathered friends

Feathered friends

Get your binoculars out for this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’! Host Steve Seel brings us two hours of new classical works about birds, including Jennifer Higdon’s ‘An Exaltation of Larks,’ John Luther Adams’ ‘Strange Birds Passing’ and Jocelyn Morlock’s ‘Oiseaux Bleus et Sauvages.’ Listen now!

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Join us for Theme & Variations

Join us for Theme & Variations

We pick the theme — you choose the variation by requesting a piece of music inspired by that theme. Our theme for June is music for ROAD TRIPS.

'Milestones: Kind of Blue'

'Milestones: Kind of Blue'

May 26 marks the birth centenary of one of America’s most prolific and revolutionary composers: Miles Davis. In celebration, join host Kevin O’Connor for selections from Davis’ most influential album, as well as commentary and facts about Davis’ life, in Milestones: Kind of Blue.

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Conductor Anthony Parnther pushes classical music to new thresholds
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JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra tell 'Fairy Tales'
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A spring meditation

A spring meditation

With spring in full bloom, Steve Seel brings us a bounty of “green sounds” in the first hour of this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ from Jeffrey Mumford’s ‘verdant cycles of deepening spring’ to Clint Needham’s String Quartet No. 1 (‘Shades of Green’). Listen now!

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Tania León is a master at weaving diverse musical influences together

Tania León is a master at weaving diverse musical influences together

Tania León has been hailed as an astoundingly original composer and a music ambassador who continues to impact classical music significantly. Her inspiring story showcases her perseverance and commitment to excellence in the face of adversity. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

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YourClassical Radio
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