The Pacifica Quartet opens the Minnesota Beethoven Festival

American violinist Stefan Jackiw joins the Minnesota Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård for a program featuring Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6, and more. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, on YourClassical MPR.

Composer and pianist Julius Eastman’s personal philosophy was ‘to be what I am to the fullest.’ A graduate of the Curtis Institute, his music was highly acclaimed and challenged racist and homophobic stereotypes. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

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!

As Steve Seel bids farewell to evenings on YourClassical for a new shift in the daylight hours, ‘Extra Eclectic’ completes its decade-long run with a playlist of some of his favorite 21st-century classical music discoveries of over the years. Listen now!

The BBC Proms concerts return to YourClassical for the 2026 season. Enjoy live performances featuring world-class ensembles, conductors and soloists from the Royal Albert Hall in London. Listen at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays through Sept. 25 — plus on-demand audio for 30 days afterward.

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel Music shares music from films that feature sweeping stories and great costumes, including ‘Elizabeth and Essex,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ ‘Titanic’ and ‘How the West Was Won.’ Listen now!

Minnesota Winds takes the stage for an unforgettable season finale concert led by guest conductor Cynthia Johnston Turner and featuring a world premiere by Katherine Bergman. Listen to the concert now!

What is a piece of classical music that makes you feel good whenever you hear it? Share it with YourClassical MPR.

Anthony McGill is the principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, the first Black musician to hold a principal chair in the orchestra’s history. He has used the platform to promote racial equity in classical music. Find out more on the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

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.