Behind the Scenes with Cantus: 'Giving Thanks'

Watch Cantus perform “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius in the studio at YourClassical MPR.

Watch Cantus perform “Fiddle Tune,” arranged by Chris Foss, in the studio at YourClassical MPR.

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Cantus and YourClassical! Tune in to “Songs of Thanks” on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. Central and on Thanksgiving Day (November 27) at 10 a.m.

The trio performed on November 9, 2025, as part of the Bethlehem Music Series.

Composer Melanie DeMore and VocalEssence recently released their latest album featuring music for healing and nourishment. They joined host Julie Amacher at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters to speak about the recording and the healing power of music.

On his new recording, Iranian American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani breathes new life into the first book of J.S. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier.’ It’s part of his project to record all of Bach’s keyboard music. Find out more on this episode of ‘New Classical Tracks’ with host Julie Amacher.

Composer and vocalist Shruthi Rajasekar explains the design and purpose of the veena and mridangam, traditional Indian classical music instruments performed here by Nirmala Rajasekar and Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi respectively.

This year’s Pärnu Music Festival in Estonia was a 90th birthday celebration for composer Arvo Pärt. A musical gift from that festival is a new live recording featuring the Estonian Festival Orchestra and 10 works by Pärt. Paavo Järvi discusses this new release on this episode of New Classical Tracks with host Julie Amacher.

Composer, vocal activist and conductor Melanie DeMore talks about her deep connection with VocalEssence, a relationship which started in 2014, and the way in which the ensemble creates spaces for members of the community.

Listen as the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, led by Melanie DeMore, take you on a journey from sea to sky in this rendition of “If I Were Bird”, recorded at the flagship studios of Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. Enjoy!