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American Composers Countdown 2026

You voted for your favorite composers, listen as host Tom Crann reveals the results on YourClassical’s American Composers Countdown!


Who is host Tom Crann's favorite American composer?

Who is host Julie Amacher's favorite American composer?

Who is host Steve Seel's favorite American composer?

Who is host Vernon Neal's favorite American composer?

YourClassical's American Composers Countdown

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

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

We asked listeners to tell us their favorite chamber music pieces. Here are the top 20 vote-getters.


Vera Quartet, PT Young Artist in Residence

Chamber Music

The top 20 chamber pieces

Brad Althoff is the Managing Producer for National Classical Programs, a portfolio of programs that includes Performance Today, SymphonyCast, Pipedreams, the Composer's Datebook and the holiday portfolio of programs.  Highlights from his career at APM include producing the live American broadcast of Last Night of the BBC Proms (2005-2011), The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra live from Vienna, Austria, the gala opening of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2012) and winning both a Gabriel Award and NY Festival Award for All is Calm  (2010).  Althoff attended the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) where he earned degrees in Music and History.  He went east to Westminster Choir College (Princeton, NJ) for a Master of Music degree and returned for further graduate work at the University of Minnesota and St. Thomas University (Minneapolis).


Interim Managing Director of Classical Music

Brad Althoff

Wedding music can range anywhere from intimate to epic. Likewise, there are an infinite number of instrumental combinations that can make your big day special. Classical MPR's Brad Althoff shares the top five instruments for weddings.


Widor: Symphony No. 5 In F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1 For Organ: 5. Toccata (Allegro)

Bach's "My Spirit be Joyful"

Wedding March (Wilhelm Richard Wagner) Wedding String Quartet

Marcel Grandjany (1891-1975) - Aria in Classic Style for Harp & Organ Op. 19

Fauré: Pavane / Rattle - Berliner Philharmoniker

10 Best Bagpipe Songs for a Wedding | 2023 Wedding Music

Favorites

Top five instruments for your wedding ceremony

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

We asked listeners to write poems inspired by  Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 6: II. Scene by the Brook. Here’s what they told us.


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

Irish Inspirations

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: Celebrating Women in Irish Music

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.


Top 10: Our classical hosts pick their musical favorites

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

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.


Class Notes: Artu Duo - 'Sonata No. 5 for Cello III. Allegro fugato,' by Ludwig van Beethoven

YourClassical Children

Meet the Composer: Beethoven

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)

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

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

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.


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!
