Minnesota Orchestra - November 14, 2025

Minnesota Orchestra - October 31, 2025

On Friday, Nov. 14, Thomas Søndergård led the Minnesota Orchestra in a concert that presents three perspectives on processing grief, featuring music by Dorn, Clyne and Brahms. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, on YourClassical MPR.


An orchestra performing onstage, led by a conductor on a podium

Thomas Søndergård: Taken by the Sound | Minnesota Orchestra

Celebrating a Century on the Airwaves

Minnesota Orchestra

Emma Redinger

Søndergård leads the Minnesota Orchestra in Brahms' 'Requiem'

Chris Thile is taking Bach on location in latest recording

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Derek Operle

Grammy-winning mandolin player Chris Thile is out with a new album. This time he is taking the music of J.S. Bach to different locations.


Chris Thile fell in love with the mandolin when he was just two years old.

Matt Carr/Getty Images

'Every Good Thing'

'Songs of Thanks' with Cantus

'The Sound of Cinnamon'

We have a variety of classical specials for the holiday season, from Christmas to New Year's Day. Listen to them any time that's convenient using this comprehensive listing.


Thanksgiving Playlist: Classical Music for Holiday Meals - YourClassical MPR Playlist

YourClassical Storytime: Lurkey is Lost!

YourClassical Storytime: Something From Nothing - The Story of Fry Bread

YourClassical Storytime: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

YourClassical Storytime: The Nutcracker

YourClassical Storytime: Christmas Every Day

YourClassical Storytime: The Snow Maiden

YourClassical Storytime: Why Evergreens Never Lose Their Leaves

Holiday Favorites: Classical music for Christmas - YourClassical MPR Playlist

YourClassical Storytime: The Lost Menorah

Holiday

Jamie Street/Unsplash

Listen to our 2025 winter holiday specials on demand

Here is a day-by-day guide to all of our special holiday programming for the 2025 season, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.


2025 YourClassical Holiday Programming Schedule

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

Rhapsody in Black - Imani Winds

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

The players of the Imani Winds have had faith in commissioning new works that uplift the profile of BIPOC composers and performers. They have been doing so for more than 25 years. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. 


Imani Winds Afro Blue at the Rainbow Room

Imani Winds performs Valerie Coleman's "Umoja"

Quintette en Forme de Choros • Villa-Lobos • Imani Winds

Rhapsody in Black

Provided

Imani Winds have faith in music as their core value

Extra Eclectic - Nov. 19, 2025

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ as the trees lose their leaves and darkness comes earlier every evening, we’ll reflect on the beauty of autumn and nighttime with music by Alex Berko, Joby Talbot and Elena Ruehr. Listen now with guest host Jake Armerding!


Extra Eclectic

Aynsley Floyd

Autumn landscapes with guest host Jake Armerding

New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - Carolyn Surrick

New Classical Tracks - 20251119

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,’ Ensemble Galilei’s viola da gambist Carolyn Surrick speaks about the group’s latest recording, which features 35 tracks celebrating 35 years of performing music together. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20251119

Five people with musical instruments stand together for a group photo

Planxty Hewlett - The Dusty Miller - The Last Minute

New Classical Tracks® 

Bernard McWilliams

Carolyn Surrick and the Ensemble Galilei explore hope on their latest recording

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - Sept. 12, 2025

Former Artistic Partner Thomas Zehetmair reunites with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for a program featuring music by Mozart and Brahms, as well as performances by Steven Copes and Julie Albers. Listen to the concert now!


The SPCO

Wolfgang Schmidt

Listen: SPCO performs Mozart’s 'Jupiter Symphony' with Thomas Zehetmair 

Jake Armerding grew up playing classical violin and listening to ‘80s pop radio. He spent 20 years on the road as an instrumentalist, appearing on such revered stages as Carnegie Hall and the Newport Folk Festival, before pivoting toward local musical work. He was thrilled to land a spot on the YourClassical team in the last days of 2024. He and his wife oversee the developing rowdiness of their three boys in River Falls, Wisconsin.


Jake Armerding

What does hygge mean to you? In ‘The Sound of Cinnamon,’ Jake Armerding invites you to experience coziness and contentment with a hygge soundtrack perfect for finding your favorite pair of slippers and putting your feet up. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema - Nov. 15, 2025

Lynne has been at this radio thing since 1984 when she fell into an historic job at KFAC AM and FM, the commercial classical station in Los Angeles.  She was the first woman staff announcer in the station's history, and it was such big news back then, it made the LA newspapers and national radio publications.  She is thrilled women in radio is no longer newsworthy.


Lynne Warfel

On the latest episode of Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel shares music from detective tales, film noir and other whodunnits, including ‘Knives Out!,’ ‘Spellbound’ and ‘Psycho.’ Listen now! 
