This activity is made possible in part by the 

Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.


Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment logo

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

Steve Seel talks to composer Derek Bermel

Steve Seel is the host of YourClassical’s weekly SymphonyCast and the trailblazing music show Extra Eclectic. He possesses a broad knowledge of many musical genres, having hosted radio programs ranging from classical to jazz and even avant-garde music at radio stations around the country. Steve began his love affair with public radio at 24 working whatever shifts he could at his hometown station of WUSF-FM in Tampa, Florida, and from there worked his way to snowy Buffalo, New York, and its renowned classical station WNED-FM, where he hosted middays and the weekly experimental-music show Present Tense.  In 2005, Steve became one of the founding voices on Minnesota Public Radio's eclectic station, the Current. While there, he hosted afternoons and mornings, and conducted in-depth interviews with pop music luminaries ranging from Brian Eno to David Byrne to Tori Amos. Steve is a basement composer obsessed with all things both minimalist and slow, and might actually be incapable of writing anything that exceeds 75 beats-per-minute.


Steve Seel

Composer Derek Bermel boasts an impressive list of musical inspirations, making him one of today's most celebrated modern composers. Bermel spoke to Classical MPR's Steve Seel ahead of their Music in the Making conversation at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St. Paul on Wednesday, Jan. 20.


The SPCO

Richard Bowditch

Derek Bermel embraces all types of music

Interview: Alexander Fiterstein

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Alison Young

Called in to pinch-hit with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra after artistic partner Martin Frost fell ill, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein is learning new music in preparation for performances at home and on the road. Fiterstein joins Classical MPR's Alison Young in studio to talk about keeping his cool while in the spotlight.


Lisa Marie Mazzucco

Keeping cool with clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein

Ryan Lohr

This week on Morning Glories, we're focusing on pieces of music that have inspired works of art.


Wassily Kandinsky [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Morning Glories: Music and Art

A day-by-day guide to all of our special holiday programming.


MPR Graphic

Classical MPR Holiday Programming Schedule

Michael Hersch full interview

Music in the Making: Steve Seel talks with Steve Staruch

The next season of Music in the Making (formerly Composer Conversations) kicks off November 4, 7 p.m. in the UBS Forum! Classical MPR's Steve Seel hosts a discussion with composer Michael Hersch and violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja.


Sam Oberter

Music in the Making Launches November 4th

Luke Taylor

Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Principal Cellist Julie Albers explains how she found her cello, an 1872 Vuillaume. She didn't love it at first, but grew to love its sound over time. 'I spent about a year really learning this instrument,' Albers says. 'It was a very good decision.' Watch her complete interview.


Chester Higgins, Jr.

Giving a cello a chance

Starting Friday, Sept. 11, Classical MPR will air concert highlights by from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on Fridays at 11 a.m. This week's highlight comes from the SPCO's Ordway Concert Hall-opening night in March 2015.


The SPCO onstage at the Ordway's Concert Hall

MPR photo/Nate Ryan

SPCO Highlights: Ordway-opening music

Lileks on MwM

Steve Staruch can be heard on Classical Minnesota Public Radio from 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays, including hosting Music with Minnesotans, Regional Spotlight and Friday Favorites. Prior to joining the staff of MPR in 2004, Steve presented a variety of radio programs on WCAL in Northfield, Minn., where he created an immensely popular call-in program, and on WXXI in Rochester, N.Y. Outside radio, Steve also enjoys work as a freelance tenor and violist. Steve and his wife, Naomi, enjoy traveling, gardening and hosting dinner parties.


Steve Staruch

It's not that James Lileks sees different things than you or me, he just sees them differently. Lileks is Steve Staruch's guest on Music with Minnesotans


Music with Minnesotans

submitted photo

Smartypants with a Romantic Heart

Carl Lundstrom

Carl Lundstrom is a specialist in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. A cancer survivor, Carl has a special place on his playlist for choral music. Carl is Steve Staruch's guest on this week's Music with Minnesotans.


Doctor, Doctor, Detective, Detective

gary lee joyner

Gary Lee Joyner has the heart of a teacher. His classical playlist is filled with music that transports him. Gary is Steve Staruch's guest on this week's Music with Minnesotans.
