Extra Eclectic - Aug. 10, 2026

Host Steve Seel poses a lot of musical questions on this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ and you’ll have to decide if you hear any answers. Charles Ives’ ‘The Unanswered Question’ is “answered” by Laurie Spiegel’s work ‘The Unquestioned Answer.’ 


Black-and-white photo of a woman sitting in an electronic music studio

Extra Eclectic

Questions and answers

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

Rhapsody in Black - Andre 3000

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

Hip-hop artist and composer André 3000 released his latest album, ‘New Blue Sun,’ in 2023. The album revolves around compositions with wind instruments and is a result of his need to explore the many influences around him, both jazz and classical. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


andre 3000 throwing up a peace sign for a photo

André 3000 - I swear, I Really Wanted To Make A "Rap" Album But This Is Literally The...

Rhapsody in Black

Andre 3000 is a musician who never stops exploring

Saturday Cinema - Aug. 8, 2026

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 celebrates famous folks born in August, including Jerome Moross, Myrna Loy, Peter O’Toole and more. Selections include music from ‘A River Runs Through It,’ ‘Rebecca,’ ‘Spellbound’ and more. Listen now!


Saturday Cinema

August birthdays

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Cynthia Dickison

Birge took the plunge behind the microphone and has been connecting the dots for YourClassical MPR listeners for 29 years – including 21 as morning show host. On Aug. 28, he’ll sign off for his last regular shift.


BBC Proms 2010 - Bach Day 10 - Sleepers Wake

YourClassical MPR's John Birge is signing off after a storied run as morning host

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Michala Petri

New Classical Tracks - 20260805

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,’ recorder virtuoso Michala Petri presents her latest recording featuring Danish composer Ole Buck’s ‘Concerto Rosignolo,’ a piece composed specifically for her. Listen now with guest host Melissa Ousley.


New Classical Tracks (Extended Interview) - 20260805

Live performing Ole Buck:"Concerto Rossignolo" Michala Petri, recorder OSO and Eivind Gulberg Jensen

New Classical Tracks® 

Recorder virtuoso Michala Petri performs Ole Buck's 'Concerto Rosignolo'

Extra Eclectic - Aug. 3, 2026

While classical music can sometimes be about frivolous things, this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’ is concerned strictly with ideas on a higher plane. Host Steve Seel brings us Olivia Belli’s ‘Limina Luminis,’ Arvo Pärt’s ‘Tabula Rasa’ and more. Listen now!


Portrait of a woman in front of a blue sky with clouds

Eternity and beyond

Minnesota Orchestra - July 31, 2026

Minnesota Orchestra - July 24, 2026

Minnesota Orchestra - July 17, 2026

On Friday, July 31, Grammy-winning mandolinist, singer, songwriter and composer Chris Thile joined the Minnesota Orchestra in ATTENTION!, his autobiographical work for mandolin and orchestra. Listen to the concert now!


Meet YourClassical MPR's Melissa Ousley

Thomas Søndergård: Taken by the Sound | Minnesota Orchestra

Celebrating a Century on the Airwaves

Minnesota Orchestra

Listen: Chris Thile performs 'ATTENTION!' with the Minnesota Orchestra 

Saturday Cinema - Aug. 1, 2026

On the latest episode of Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel celebrates famous folks born in the summer, including Bernard Herrmann, Olivia de Havilland, Ginger Rogers and more. Selections include music from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Victor/Victoria,’ and more. Listen now!


Summer Birthdays part 2: June and July

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

Shahghasemi invited three Minnesota-based Iranian musicians from different walks of life to collaborate on the second installment of her residency at the Minneapolis nightclub called Berlin. The performance featured Shahghasemi’s own music through the lens of various genres including classical, contemporary, jazz and Iranian folk music.


A woman standing among plants and flowers in a garden

Aida Shahghasemi: Four Iranian musicians, four walks of life, one concert. How did it happen?

Aida Shahghasemi 'weaves a common thread' during her residency at Minneapolis nightclub Berlin

Rhapsody in Black - Damien Geter

Composer Damien Geter began his musical path as an educator before becoming an acclaimed vocalist. But now, his path as a composer is ‘breaking down the barriers of what classical music should be.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.
