{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"","type":"text"}]}]}

Ari Daniel

Scientists have sequenced the genome of Ludwig van Beethoven from two-century-old locks of hair. They've found some clues in the DNA about the ailments that plagued him in life.


INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images

Scientists sequence Beethoven's genome for clues into his painful past 

Olivia Hampton

Sacha Pfeiffer

Two musical worlds collide as jazz pianist Dan Tepfer finds inspiration, and room for improvisation, in J.S. Bach's Two-Part Inventions.


Listen to the Story

Improvised Invention in Gb Major

Dan Tepfer: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Josh Goleman/Courtesy of the artist

For pianist Dan Tepfer, improvisation is the mother of Bach's Inventions

Ward Jacobson has enjoyed a radio career spanning over two decades as a morning show host and sportscaster, as well as producer/host of an interview program where he chatted with authors, musicians, politicians and newsmakers. He is also a past winner of the prestigious Marconi Award. Jacobson's love of classical music stems from a childhood influenced by his bass-baritone father and piano-teaching mother. While still a college student in Nebraska, he began singing with the Abendmusik Chorus and took part in concert tours to venues as varied as Englands Lincoln Cathedral, the Vatican, Salzburg Cathedral, Auschwitz and Moscow. When not singing, he works to develop his guitar-strumming repertoire.


Ward Jacobson

College basketball has been a nice diversion, but the real March Madness has been host Ward Jacobson’s general attitude toward the wicked ways of Mother Nature as she thumbed her nose at the Twin Cities in the final days of the season. Even though it's Minnesota, Mother Nature is never passive aggressive.


A man walks on the snow-covered sidewalks in downtown Minneapolis.

Josh Hild/Unsplash

Time to say goodbye to another Minnesota winter

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.


Julie Amacher

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.’ Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of the album! 


New Classical Tracks - Hélène Grimaud (Extended)

New Classical Tracks - Hélène Grimaud

Hélène Grimaud & Konstantin Krimmel – Silvestrov: Silent Songs / 11 Songs: No. 9, Autumn Song

Mat Hennek

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

Ines Guanchez is an assistant 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

Did you know that you can listen to all of YourClassical's music streams on your mobile device? Here's how to download and use the recently released YourClassical app.


Listen to the YourClassical app on your mobile device

Brian Newhouse

Join us at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, as YourClassical MPR presents an encore broadcast of Minnesota Opera’s production of 'Edward Tulane,' based on a novel by Kate DiCamillo. Find out more about the making of this incredible opera from the people behind it. 


John Birge interviews members of the Edward Tulane Minnesota Opera production.

John Birge - Edward Tulane Interview

Steve Staruch interviews author Kate DiCamillo

Steve Staruch - Kate DiCamillo Interview

MN Opera's Edward Tulane Choral Suite

Minnesota Opera

Encore broadcast: Minnesota Opera presents 'Edward Tulane'

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

Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis redefined the genre in subtle and caustic ways. While he had great success he was always restless for innovation.  Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast. 


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

Rhapsody in Black - March 23, 2023

Rhapsody in Black - Miles Davis

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Miles Davis reinvented the jazz scene 

Are you a young performer, 14 to 24, who would like to co-host Friday Favorites with Steve Staruch? Apply now to be considered for YourClassical MPR's Project DJ!


James Napoli/MPR

Apply now to appear on YourClassical MPR's Project DJ

On Saturday, Mar. 18, conductor and violist Tabea Zimmermann returns to lead the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in performing Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony. The program also included pieces by Mendelssohn-Hensel and Hummel. Listen to the concert now!


St. Paul Chamber Orchestra: Tabea Zimmermann

20221112_SPCO featuring Joshua Bell

Courtesy of artist

Listen: Violist Tabea Zimmermann and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra perform Mendelssohn

The Metropolitan Opera broadcasts are back on YourClassical MPR. This Saturday, March 25, listen to “Norma” by Vincenzo Bellini, featuring conductor Maurizio Benini, soprano Sonya Yoncheva and mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova.


Metropolitan Opera

Listen to the Metropolitan Opera at noon Saturdays

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

Before Bach's Birthday Bash, which was held March 18 with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone, celebrated the works of composer J.S. Bach with five hourlong concerts at venues in Minneapolis. Relive the first hour now with our archived livestream video and broadcast audio.
