Listen to this classical music special that does double duty and looks at music from Ireland, with an emphasis on women composers and performers, as well as music with female themes.


Irish Inspirations

Edu Grande/Unsplash

Irish Inspirations: Celebrating Women in Irish Music

As a lifelong classically trained harpist, associate digital producer Brooke Knoll has always had a passion for classical music and sharing the stories behind the songs. Before joining YourClassical MPR in 2019, she was the on-air host of Radio K’s all-classical show, Rock Me, Amadeus.


Associate Digital Producer

Brooke Knoll

What do your favorite classical hosts love to listen to? You might be surprised. Here are top 10 lists from the people behind the microphone.


Bob Collins/MPR

Top 10: Our classical hosts pick their musical favorites

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Katie Condon

Ever heard of a composer named Beethoven? In this K-8 lesson, we'll learn a few basics about the composer, his life, and music. Plus, we'll listen to a few greatest hits.


Classical Kids Music Lesson: Beethoven Bonanza

Ludwig van Beethoven
F&uuml;r Elise
Louis Lortie

F&uuml;r Elise

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 I. Allegro con brio
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig; Herbert Blomstedt. conductor

Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 I. Allegro con brio

Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 IV. Alla danza tedesca
Yale Quartet

String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 IV. Alla danza tedesca

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 II. Allegretto
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig; Herbert Blomstedt. conductor

Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 II. Allegretto

Beethoven: Sonata No. 5 for Cello in D Major, Op. 102, No. 2 - III. Allegro fugato

Valdas Miskinis/Pixabay

Meet the Composer: Beethoven

April is National Poetry Month, and we're celebrating in a uniquely classical way. Each Monday, we post a musical selection, and listeners write poems inspired by that work. Read poems inspired by Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 6: II. Scene by the Brook.


Beethoven: Symphony No. 6: II. Scene by the Brook

Good Free Photos/Unsplash

Classical Poetry: Read poems inspired by Beethoven's 'Scene by the Brook'

Nicholas Cords

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Nicholas Cords finds solace in a thankful musical sentiment from Beethoven.


A bespectacled gentleman demonstrates improper violin technique

Beethoven Opus 132 (Quarantine version)

Erin Baiano/Courtesy of the artist

Brooklyn Rider's Nicholas Cords on Beethoven, gratitude and the power of creativity

Hear the pieces your favorite classical hosts turn to when they need calm. Enjoy music specially selected by Steve Staruch, Elena See, Scott Blankenship, Brian Newhouse, Julie Amacher and Andrea Blain.


Steve Staruch: Gravity on Vacation

Elena See's Escape the Noise Playlist

Scott Blankenship's Escape the Noise Playlist

Brian Newhouse's Escape the Noise Playlist

Julie Amacher's Escape the Noise Playlist

Andrea Blain: Life's Infinite Variety

Marc-Olivier Jodoin/Unsplash

Feel better with these calming classical playlists curated by our hosts

In the run-up to Valentine's Day, we asked you what musical selections articulate feelings of love and romance. We've tallied your votes - here are the results!


MPR photo/Luke Taylor

Your Top 10: music that says 'love'

Suite for Your Sweetheart Top 10: music that says 'love'

We asked you to tell us your favorite chamber pieces to celebrate our new Chamber Music stream. We've tallied the votes, and here are the top 20 chamber pieces, as voted by you.


Wind Quintet I. Allegro ben moderato

Serenade No. 10 "Gran Partita": IV: Adagio

String Quartet Op. 76 No. 3 "Emperor"

String Quartet No. 1: I. Un poco andante

String Quintet in C Major: I. Allegro ma non troppo

Piano Quintet II. In modo d'una marcia. Un poco largamente

Quartet for the End of Time: I. Liturgie de cristal

Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp: II. Interlude; Tempo di minuetto

Horn Trio: I. Andante - poco piu animato

String Quartet No. 1: II. Andante cantabile

String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden" Andante con moto

String Quartet No. 14 "Death and the Maiden"

String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters" III. Moderato

String Octet: I. Allegro moderato, ma con fuoco

Serenade for Winds: I. Moderato, quasi marcia

String Quartet: II. Assez vif et bien rythme

String Quartet: II. Assez vif. Tres rythme

Clarinet Quintet: II. Larghetto

Piano Trio No. 7 "Archduke": I. Allegro moderato

"Trout Quintet": IV. Thema with Variations; Andante

String Quartet No. 12 "American": I. Allegro ma non troppo

Vera Quartet, PT Young Artist in Residence

Nate Ryan

The top 20 chamber pieces

Emma Taggart, a 2017 and 2019 Minnesota Varsity Showcase Artist, recently made her third appearance on 'From the Top.' Listen to the young pianist's remarkable performance of Franz Liszt's 'Liebestraum No. 3.'


This week’s special episode of From the Top with guest host and concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein puts the spotlight on the piano in all its splendid configurations. Recorded at the Texas State International Piano Festival, we’ll hear some of the country’s premiere young pianists perform as soloists and members of small ensembles – including a raucous piece for eight hands at one piano!

Emma Taggart, piano, 16 by From the Top

Emma Taggart – 2019 Minnesota Varsity Showcase Artist

From the Top

Minnesota Varsity alum Emma Taggart featured on 'From the Top'

Scott Blankenship started his radio career in college when he began working as a volunteer at a local cable radio station, announcing alternative and new rock music. His love and appreciation of classical music began at public radio station KVNO in Omaha, where he spent 13 years in various on-air and management roles, five of those years as the morning drive-time host.

Indications that radio was in his blood go back to age five, when he used a corkboard and a battered phonograph as a makeshift radio studio; his father's Air Force issue flashlight served as his "on air" light. In his spare time, Blankenship is an avid cyclist and amateur playwright with several produced scripts to his credit.


Scott Blankenship

Two of Germany's best exports are music and beer. Explore both for Oktoberfest in this episode of 'Hop Notes,' with Yoerg Brewing Co. in St. Paul, Minn., and works by Mozart and Richard Strauss.


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