New Classical Tracks®

Host Julie Amacher provides an in-depth exploration of a new classical music release each week.

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Violinist Tessa Lark goes back to her roots

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violinist Tessa Lark combines bluegrass and classical on her latest recording, ‘The Stradgrass Sessions.’ Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the album!

Pianist Hélène Grimaud pays homage to one of Ukraine’s greatest living composers

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, French pianist Hélène Grimaud pays homage to one of Ukraine’s greatest living composers, Valentin Silvestrov, on her latest recording, ‘Silvestrov: Silent Songs.’

Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor explores the relationship among Romantic composers

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor talks about his latest recording, ‘Schumann & Brahms,’ which explores the fascinating relationship among Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.

Violinist Lara St. John continues her fight for women

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violinist Lara St. John continues her fight for women in the world of classical music with her latest recording, ‘♀she/her/hers.’

Classical guitarist Christopher Mallett celebrates a legend

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, classical guitarist Christopher Mallett honors and celebrates the Black pioneer of American classical guitar music in his latest album, ‘Justin Holland: Guitar Works and Arrangements.’

Calidore String Quartet tells the story of Beethoven by starting from the end

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, cellist Estelle Choi of the Calidore String Quartet shares why the group thought the best way to tell the story of Beethoven was to start at the end with their latest album, ‘Beethoven: The Late Quartets.’

Eldbjørg Hemsing shares a musical journey through the Arctic

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing offers a glimpse of her homeland’s fragile beauty through the music of contemporary and traditional composers on her latest album, ‘Arctic.’

Guitarist David Starobin celebrates one of his musical idols

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, guitarist David Starobin’s retirement from performing has finally given him the time to catch up on his playing and to celebrate one of his musical idols on his latest album, ‘Giulio Regondi: A 200th Birthday Bouquet.’

Cleveland Orchestra performs the music of George Walker

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, violist Eliesha Nelson talks about the Cleveland Orchestra’s latest recording featuring the music of George Walker. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the album!

Anthony McGill and the Pacifica Quartet tell the stories of America

In this week’s New Classical Tracks, clarinetist Anthony McGill joins the Pacifica Quartet to share new American compositions in their latest recording, ‘American Stories.’ Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the album!

The Team

Julie Amacher

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 critiquing a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays and 5:15 p.m. Fridays.