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

John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

As the snow starts to melt away and sunshine returns to the Twin Cities, so does host John Birge's weekly picks. Learn more about virtual events happening this week, from the Schubert Club to the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.


The SPCO

Birge's Picks: Virtual edition

Euan Kerr is an arts reporter for MPR News.


Euan Kerr

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra announced Tuesday that it's canceling the remainder of its regular concert season through June. The decision arises from health and safety concerns for musicians, staff and audiences as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.


The SPCO onstage at the Ordway's Concert Hall

SPCO cancels concerts through June and announces eight video streams

Don't miss our SPCO Spotlight every Friday in the 9 a.m. hour, as well as occasional live broadcasts. Experience amazing performances by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra at various venues, with expertly presented audio from Classical MPR.


SPCO Spotlight returns for another great season, Fridays at 9 a.m.

SPCO: Interview with Kyu-Young Kim

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

Classical MPR's Steve Seel spoke with Kyu-Young Kim, artistic director and principal violin with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, about the plans for the virtual fall season, and what audiences can expect to hear and see.


Interview with Kyu-Young Kim

SPCO announces live-streaming performances for its upcoming season

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Terry Blain

When COVID-19 threw a wrench in Denis Evstuhin's recital celebrating Tchaikovsky's 180th birthday, the pianist thought on his feet. Now, his all-Tchaikovsky celebration will be held at the Town Green Park in Maple Grove on Aug. 22.


Minnesota Opera

Tchaikovsky's 180th birthday celebration carries on with concert in Maple Grove

Joel Revzen, a staff conductor at the Metropolitan Opera for the past 20 years and the previous director of the Minnesota Chorale, died Monday due to complications from COVID-19. He was 74.


Tahoe Tonight - Classical Tahoe with Joel Revzen

Met Opera conductor Joel Revzen dies at 74 from COVID-19

Bill Ward

With concerts and events canceled, how are Minnesota musicians adjusting to our new normal? We talked to artists from the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and more.


Minnesota musicians embrace new musical ventures and adventures amid pandemic

Handel's 'Messiah' Pt. 1

Handel's 'Messiah' Pt. 2

Join Steve Seel for a complete performance of George Frideric Handel's sacred oratorio 'Messiah,' with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Jory Vinikour, and an all-star roster of vocal soloists and the renowned vocal ensemble The Singers, led by Matthew Culloton, the concert was recorded live in December at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.


Listen to the SPCO perform Handel's 'Messiah'

Catch the Broadway revival of 'My Fair Lady' this weekend in Minneapolis! Also happening this weekend, here John Birge's picks on concerts from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra.


Broadway comes to Minneapolis this weekend with 'My Fair Lady'

Classical MPR host John Birge offers his picks in classical music for the weekend of Feb. 7, including a must-hear SPCO concert of Mozart concertos and music celebrating Beethoven's 250th birthday.
