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Longtime music host and performer Andrea Blain presents classical music programming including national specials, opera and other live broadcasts and holiday programs. She also is part of a team that works on content and scripting for ‘Rhapsody in Black’ and has voiced several episodes of YourClassical Storytime.


Andrea Blain

This National Poetry Month, join host Andrea Blain for ‘Words and Music of Black America,’ a special featuring music with texts by Black poets. Listen now!


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'Words and Music of Black America'

Cynthia Dickison

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


Steven Garcia

SPCO announces its 2025-26 season

Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Wynton Marsalis

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is internationally known for his outstanding career in jazz. Many don’t know that he has also found success in classical music.  Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


Plantation Coffle March

2:19 Blues - Wynton Marsalis Septet at Jazz in Marciac 2015

"Twilight" by Wynotn Marsalis

Rhapsody in Black

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Wynton Marsalis has jazz and classical chops

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® 

Fadi Kheir / Carnegie Hall

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

Tyler Boye

Two dozen strings 

Friday Favorites - April 4, 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

Amy Leopold, the Project DJ co-host for this week’s episode of ‘Friday Favorites,’ will graduate in May with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica. A native of Duluth, she is proud of her hometown and family roots on the north shore. Listen now with host Steve Staruch!


Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites: Listener requests with Project DJ co-host Amy Leopold

Rhapsody in Black - Sheku Kenneh-Mason

At 19, Sheku Kanneh-Mason became the first Black musician to win BBC Young Musician of the Year. He continues to focus on what is most important to him: the music, the cello and music education. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.


Yoke Creative/Decca Classics

Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a young and promising classical music superstar 

Ines Guanchez is an assistant 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)

Jenny Cvek-Walmsley | MPR

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

Jacob Blickenstaff

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

MPR Hero Stories