Photos: Scenes from MPR Day at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair

Public voting is now open for the third annual Karin Larson YourClassical Prize! Visit our “Vote Now” pages to view the finalists in our Preprofessional Musician and Emerging Artist categories. Vote once for your favorite performer in each category to determine this year’s winners. Voting is open through June 7. Winners in each category will be announced on June 12. Each winner receives a cash prize and a recording studio session.

This Friday, May 29, Principal Timpani Erich Rieppel makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut, alongside guest conductor Domingo Hindoyan, with his performance of Andy Akiho’s Timpani Concerto. Listen to the live broadcast with host Melissa Ousley at 8 p.m. on YourClassical MPR.

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ the Time for Three ensemble and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato bring the poetry of Emily Dickinson to life with music by Kevin Puts. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!

Get your binoculars out for this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic’! Host Steve Seel brings us two hours of new classical works about birds, including Jennifer Higdon’s ‘An Exaltation of Larks,’ John Luther Adams’ ‘Strange Birds Passing’ and Jocelyn Morlock’s ‘Oiseaux Bleus et Sauvages.’ Listen now!

We pick the theme — you choose the variation by requesting a piece of music inspired by that theme. Our theme for June is music for ROAD TRIPS.

May 26 marks the birth centenary of one of America’s most prolific and revolutionary composers: Miles Davis. In celebration, join host Kevin O’Connor for selections from Davis’ most influential album, as well as commentary and facts about Davis’ life, in Milestones: Kind of Blue.

Conductor Anthony Parnther’s career has focused on advocating for Black composers and changing the perception of what classical music should be. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ conductor JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra bring Igor Stravinsky’s ‘Fairy Tales’ to light on their latest album. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!

With spring in full bloom, Steve Seel brings us a bounty of “green sounds” in the first hour of this episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ from Jeffrey Mumford’s ‘verdant cycles of deepening spring’ to Clint Needham’s String Quartet No. 1 (‘Shades of Green’). Listen now!

Tania León has been hailed as an astoundingly original composer and a music ambassador who continues to impact classical music significantly. Her inspiring story showcases her perseverance and commitment to excellence in the face of adversity. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.