The Pacifica Quartet opens the Minnesota Beethoven Festival

Six YourClassical hosts picked their five favorite Christmas carols, and you voted for your favorites. Listen to the full countdown as hosts Tom Crann and Jake Armerding highlight the top carols based on your votes.

Listen as Border CrosSing’s Artistic Director Ahmed Anzaldúa and Executive Director Matthew Valverde join host Tom Crann for a conversation about the group’s upcoming holiday concerts: ‘Navidad Nuestra’ (‘Our Christmas’). Listen now!

Duke Ellington once said, “All arrangements of historic American Negro music have been made by conservatory-trained musicians who inevitably handle it with a European technique. It’s time a big piece of music was written from the inside.” That piece of music was ‘Black, Brown and Beige.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

As has become a tradition on Extra Eclectic this time of year, we enjoy more modern classical sounds to compliment the cold, starry nights of winter on this episode. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ composers Jocelyn Hagen and Timothy C. Takach highlight the importance of family on their album featuring the VOCES8 Foundation Choir and Orchestra, as well as conductor Barnaby Smith. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!

On the latest episode of ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares music from more holiday movies, including ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ ‘The Polar Express,’ ‘Klaus’ and more. Listen now!

Guitarist Sean Shibe pushes his instrument to the limit in new music written for him by Thomas Adès, and softens the vibe with intimate pieces by Bach, Mompou and the eccentric street musician Moondog.

Right after Jon Batiste won the Grammy for album of the year in 2022, he spent three weeks sleeping on a hospital couch as his wife, Suleika Jaouad, received a bone marrow transplant for leukemia. Now, the couple recounts the ups and downs of their recent years through the Netflix documentary ‘American Symphony.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ guest host Ward Jacobson shares a soundtrack for cold, dark evenings. Hear seasonal and atmospheric music by Hildur Gudnadottir, Pauline Oliveros and Kaija Saariaho. Listen now!

Minnesota Orchestra rings in 2026 with pianist Aaron Diehl and a program featuring music by Tilson Thomas, Andres, Bernstein and Copland. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, on YourClassical MPR.