New Classical Tracks: Star of Naples
In her new disc, superstar mezzo Joyce DiDonato journeys to Naples -- long one of the thriving centers of opera -- and discovers some unknown gems.
Podcasts
New Classical Tracks®
Explore new recordings with top performers and host Julie Amacher
New Classical Tracks: Joyce DiDonato - Stella di Napoli
Episodes
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New Classical Tracks: Starting with a Rice Krispie Box
Alisa Weilerstein's new CD is the culmination of a dream that began in early childhood. Her recording of Dvorak's cello concerto is featured on this week's New Classical Tracks.
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New Classical Tracks: 'Homecoming, A Scottish Fantasy'
Violinist Nicola Benedetti has an Italian name, but she grew up in Scotland. Her new disc celebrates those Scottish roots, with a classical fantasy on Scottish melodies, a tribute to Robert Burns, and a selection of traditional folk tunes.
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New Classical Tracks: Getting to know Schubert
Irish pianist Barry Douglas is a self-described latecomer to the music of Franz Schubert. That said, Douglas has just released the first in a series of recordings celebrating Schubert's solo piano works. For this first volume, Barry wanted to focus on Schubert at the height of his creative powers.
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New Classical Tracks: Ljova, 'Melting River'
Violist and composer Lev Zhurbin, aka Ljova, has released a new album -- and it's only available on vinyl or via digital download. Why not on CD? Ljova explains as he shares the story of his new album.
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New Classical Tracks: Moments of Reflection
"Eventide," by the British choir Voces8, offers music for the end of the day -- hushed, meditative, ethereal. It's on this week's New Classical Tracks.
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New Classical Tracks: Not Your Typical Piano Duet
With balletic movement and adventurous sonic exploration, the two pianists of ZOFO are a twenty-finger orchestra.
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New Classical Tracks: A Record of Reminiscences
Leon Fleisher turned 86 last week. He's a pianist, a conductor, a chamber player, and to his many students at the Peabody Conservatory, he's Obi-Wan Kenobi, a master teacher. Now Fleisher is out with his first album in nearly a decade.
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New Classical Tracks: Expect the Unexpected
Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis have released 'The Silver Album', a two-CD set featuring major sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, a few timeless encore pieces and a couple world-premiere recordings. The album celebrates their 25-year collaboration.
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New Classical Tracks: Time for Three
They say timing is everything. Acoustic trio Time for Three couldn't agree more. Just as their self-titled debut album was in the works, the trio made a splash for being denied seats on a plane - because they were carrying instruments.
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About New Classical Tracks®
Host Julie Amacher provides an in-depth exploration of a new classical music release each week.
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Your Host
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.