Explore new recordings with top performers and host Julie Amacher
On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ pianist Stephen Hough talks about his latest recording, featuring music from ‘Mary Poppins,’ along with other songs and melodies from places he’s traveled to over the years. Listen now with guest host Melissa Ousley.
Grammy-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre’s latest project is a result of his personal rediscovery of meditation and his ‘deep, deep love for synthesizers.’ Listen as he speaks to host Julie Amacher about a recording that he describes as “Thomas Tallis meets ‘Blade Runner.’”
Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux started writing the music for his latest recording in 2020. The record is titled ‘Gratitude,’ and recently premiered at the Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
Violinist María Dueñas’ latest recording pays homage to Jascha Heifetz, one of the greatest violinists of all time, and reunites her with Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ violinist Ariana Kim sews an ‘(un)common thread,’ connecting a collage of composers through the art of improvisation on her latest album. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!
Pianist Alice Sara Ott recently returned to Iceland to record the music of Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson. The resulting record features some of Jóhannsson’s orchestral works reimagined for solo piano, including some of his film scores. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
Concert Master Steven Copes and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra join pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman for a new project that takes works by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev and reimagines them for chamber orchestra. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
Conductor Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra present their new release featuring music by Antonin Dvorak and Carlos Simon recorded live in the historic Heinz Hall. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
Violinist and composer Curtis Stewart recently released a two-CD recording featuring ‘24 American Caprices’ composed in the styles of the many genres he grew up listening to on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
The Catalyst Quartet recently released the fourth and final volume of its ‘Uncovered’ project. The album focuses on Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and features 18 of his string quartets. Listen now with host Julie Amacher.
Host Julie Amacher provides an in-depth exploration of a new classical music release each week.
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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.
