The Pacifica Quartet opens the Minnesota Beethoven Festival

Indian classical music meets Minnesota choral music this Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the premiere of composer Shruthi Rajasekar’s ‘Sarojini,’ performed by Nirmala Rajasekar and Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi alongside Minneapolis-based VocalEssence. Listen as host Tom Crann speaks with Shruthi about the piece.

Guitarist Tosin Abasi uses the influences of punk, funk, jazz and classical to forge a voice that doesn’t fit into any single category. He’s one of the most innovative guitarists alive today. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

On this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ Steve Seel brings us a classical-jazz dialogue, including jazz harpist Brandee Younger’s ‘Essence of Ruby,’ Joel Puckett’s Trumpet Concerto and music by Thelonius Monk and Wynton Marsalis. Listen now!

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani brings the first book of J.S. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ to life on his latest recording. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!

On Friday, Oct. 17, the affable Andrew Manze returned to lead the Minnesota Orchestra in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and a multi-faceted piano concerto by Anna Clyne. Listen to the concert now!

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate August birthdays in the world of film, including Jack Warner, Peter O’Toole, Maureen O’Hara, Gene Kelly, Ingrid Bergman and more. Listen now!

Herbie Hancock helped rewrite post-bop language and reimagined the rhythm section as a conversational engine. But his musical imagination wouldn’t stop at jazz. He has continued composing for film and the concert hall alike. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

No, 2025 isn’t over, but that’s not stopping us from pausing to take stock of some of our favorite releases and discoveries of the year on the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic.’ Host Steve Seel shares music by Reena Esmail, Shirley Thompson and more. Listen now!

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ conductor Paavo Järvi leads the Estonian Festival Orchestra in music by Arvo Pärt in honor of the Estonian composer’s 90th birthday. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!

On Sunday, Sept. 14, Twin Cities native William Yang performed an all-Chopin concert at Macalester College as part of the Chopin Society’s 42nd season. Listen to the concert in preparation of Yang’s third round performance at the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland.