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Friday Favorites - April 11, 2025

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

From a ‘Surprise Symphony’ by Haydn to passionate storytelling by Chopin to a grand chorus by Handel, this week’s episode of ‘Friday Favorites’ was an eclectic dream machine. Be transported to your favorite spring place with sunny requests from YourClassical MPR’s listeners. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Theme & Variations

Friday Favorites: Listener requests to welcome spring

Cynthia Dickison

World premieres and returning guest artists are featured in the musician-led concert repertoire.


SPCO announces its 2025-26 season

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and John Churchwell

New Classical Tracks - Orion Weiss

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 sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and pianist John Churchwell present music by Korngold, Brahms, and Clara and Robert Schumann, as heard on their most recent recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and John Churchwell

New Classical Tracks: Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and John Churchwell

New Classical Tracks® 

Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen goes where no countertenor has gone before

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, the math works out for music lovers this week as two masters of the six-string guitar and three great string quartets grace stages across Minnesota and beyond. Find out more!


Birge's Picks

Two dozen strings 

Ines Guanchez is an associate digital producer for classical. An accomplished pianist, she founded Dúo Ávila with fellow Venezuelan violinist Sofia Schutte. The ensemble focuses on music by composers outside of the classical canon and has performed in venues in Minnesota and Costa Rica. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with master’s degrees in mass communications and piano performance. She previously interned for Minnesota Public Radio in 2018.


Ines Guanchez

On Friday, March 28, Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes performed a captivating and impactful solo concert at the Ordway as part of the Schubert Club’s International Artists Series. Here are the details.


Piano Sonata in E Minor, Op. 7: I. Allegro moderato

Geirr Tveitt - Piano Sonata No. 29, Op. 129, "Sonata Etere"

12 Études, Op. 25: No. 3 in F Major

Debussy plays Debussy | La Cathédrale Engloutie (The Sunken Cathedral), Prélude Book I, No.10 (1913)

Leif Ove Andsnes captivates in Schubert Club concert

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Orion Weiss

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ pianist Orion Weiss concludes a trilogy 11 years in the making with an album featuring the music of Brahms, Schubert, Dohnanyi, Ligeti and more. Listen now!


Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 5: I. Allegro maestoso

Orion Weiss concludes his 'Arc' trilogy with music of joy, youth and rebirth

The tribute to the pianist/composer is personal for co-founder and performing partner Young-Nam Kim.


Two musicians pose for a portrait together

Chamber Music Society concert honors founder Paul Schoenfield

This week on Birge’s Picks, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival presents films about Frederica von Stade, ‘Turandot,’ ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ and live instrumental music. Find out more!


Right in the Eye (En plein dans l’œil) - Teaser - Live movie-concert of Georges Méliès' films.

'Flicka' Documentary Trailer

2025 SBIFF Trailer - AI WEIWEI'S TURANDOT

JOHN CRANKO - official trailer - English subtitled

Classical MSPIFF!

Interview: Ahmed Anzaldúa on 'Oceana'

Host John Birge speaks with Ahmed Anzaldúa, artistic director of Border CrosSing, about the ensemble’s upcoming performance of Osvaldo Golijov’s ‘Oceana’ at the Ordway in St. Paul at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Listen now!


Interview: Ahmed Anzaldua on 'Oceana'

A large vocal and instrumental ensemble pose for a group photo in a church

Border CrosSing presents Golijov's 'Oceana' cantata

‘Performance Today’ has selected performer and composer Jessie Montgomery as the 2025 Classical Woman of the Year. This annual award recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the classical music art form and have inspired our listeners. Find out more!


MPR Hero Stories