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Manuel Rosales built the organ at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in conjunction with a design from architect Frank Gehry. The organ turns 10 years old this month. (Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC)

This weekend, take some time to look into stories about three wonderful instruments: the bassoon, the guitar and the pipe organ.

This weekend, the Minnesota Orchestra honors the career of longtime bassoonist John Miller, Jr., celebrating 44 years of performance. In the run-up to the concerts, the first of which will air on Classical MPR on Friday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m., Miller's fellow bassoonist Norbert Nielubowski has written a 

delightful essay on the bassoonist's view of the orchestra

Celebrate Minneapolis-born guitarist extraordinaire, Sharon Isbin

Sharon Isbin's new box set of CDs, entitled 

enter for a chance to win a copy of the box set

, which we just found out will air on Twin Cities Public Television

 on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at 9:30 p.m. Get a sense of what the documentary is about by 

A great big pipe organ turns 10 years old

Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It's also home to a 6,000-pipe organ, which celebrates its 10th birthday this weekend. In fact, 

Michael Barone, host of American Public Media's 

, is on his way to Los Angeles this weekend to host the festivities. We can't all travel to Los Angeles, but thanks to 

John Rabe at our sister station KPCC in L.A.

take a virtual tour of the organ with this slideshow

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio on Monday mornings and at other times during the week. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, New York. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

This weekend, take some time to look into stories about three wonderful instruments: the bassoon, the guitar and the pipe organ.


Click on Classical this Weekend: stories of instruments

The bassoonist's view of the orchestra

Celebrate Minneapolis-born guitarist extraordinaire, Sharon Isbin

A great big pipe organ turns 10 years old

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