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Tom Huizenga

The famed Frenchman brings all his elegance and colorful playing to music by Ravel, Brahms and Villa-Lobos.


Alanté Serene/NPR

NPR Music

Jean-Yves Thibaudet: Tiny Desk Concert

Before Bach's Birthday Bash - March 15, 2023

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

Did you miss Before Bach's Birthday Bash on Saturday with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone? This year's celebration included five free, hourlong concerts at venues in St. Paul. Listen to the first concert now!


Listen: Before Bach's Birthday Bash in St. Paul

Reed Fischer

The Minnesota Orchestra released details for the 2025-26 season this week. It is Music Director Thomas Søndergård’s third season, and among many star-studded moments planned throughout the schedule are performances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Leila Josefowicz. 


Emma Redinger

Minnesota Orchestra announces its 2025-26 season

John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

This week on Birge’s Picks, exciting performances and master classes take place in Mankato and St. Paul, as well as across the Red River in North Dakota. Find out more!


Birge's Picks

Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

Just remember the Red River Valley

Cynthia Dickison

Composer/conductor Steve Hackman tells how he melded genres into a gorgeous whole in ‘Brahms X. Radiohead.’


Lauren Desberg

A Brahms-Radiohead mashup at Orchestra Hall

Steve Staruch speaks with Hazel Collins and Leo Choi

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. 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, New York. 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

Hazel Collins and Leo Choi of Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs joined YourClassical MPR host Steve Staruch to talk about the ensemble’s upcoming trip to Dallas to sing at the American Choral Directors Association annual convention. Listen now!


Interview: Hazel Collins and Leo Choi from Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs

Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs members and Steve Staruch

Provided

Steve Staruch welcomes singers from Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs

Three Class Notes Artists — Paper Clips, Steam Machine and Wood N’ Wind — will perform in free concerts across Minnesota this spring. These public events will take place in Grand Rapids, Luverne, Granite Falls and Ely starting March 7.


Travis Anderson

See Class Notes Artists in free community concerts across Minnesota   

Attention, emerging and preprofessional musicians in Minnesota, ages 14 to 28: YourClassical MPR is thrilled to announce the Karin Larson YourClassical Prize. Submit your performance now for a chance to win a cash prize and recording time at MPR. Find out more!


Submissions open for Karin Larson YourClassical Prize

Meet Jake Armerding, the multitalented folk musician and storyteller who is adding classical broadcasting to his resume. You’ll hear him regularly on YourClassical Radio.


Jake Armerding performs in the Radio Heartland studio

MPR Hero Stories