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An ecstatic exploration of classical music that’s aesthetically and uncompromisingly Black.

Rhapsody in Black - Moses Hogan

Vernon Neal is the host of the podcast ‘Rhapsody in Black,’ where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music.


Host/Producer

Vernon Neal

Choir director Moses Hogan, who died at 45 in 2003, built community through worship and song. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


"Elijah Rock"--Moses Hogan Chorale

The Battle of Jericho | SATB divisi Choir | Arr. Moses Hogan

Rhapsody in Black

Wikipedia

Moses Hogan created community through worship 

Extra Eclectic - Jan. 28, 2026

On the latest episode of Extra Eclectic, we’re looking skyward, toward both the sun and the stars. Selections include music by Meredith Monk, Max Richter, Terry Riley and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel! 


Extra Eclectic

Christine Alicino

Night and day

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Leif Ove Andsnes

New Classical Tracks - Leif Ove Andsnes

Julie Amacher's desire to introduce others to great music is what led her to radio. She began her professional broadcast career at a station in Sun Prairie, Wis. She went from rock 'n' roll to the Rocky Mountains, where she found her niche in public radio at KUNC in Greeley, Colo. Julie spent 13 years at KUNC, where she managed the announcers and their eclectic music format. During that time, she earned four national awards for best announcer. She joined Minnesota Public Radio in 1997 as an on-air host and also produces New Classical Tracks, a weekly podcast sharing behind-the-scenes stories about a new release each week. It airs locally at 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays.


Julie Amacher

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ French pianist Bertrand Chamayou and Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes collaborate on an album featuring four-hand piano music from the final year of Franz Schubert’s life. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


Bertrand Chamayou & Leif Ove Andsnes - Schubert: Fantasia in F Minor: I. Allegro molto moderato

New Classical Tracks® 

Paul Marc Mitchell

Bertrand Chamayou and Leif Ove Andsnes perform Schubert

Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words

Mindy Ratner is a host and producer on the Classical Music Service of Minnesota Public Radio, where she is heard on weekends. She began her career in public broadcasting following her graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working first for the local public television station and then for Wisconsin Public Radio. She moved on to stations in Cincinnati and Philadelphia before joining Minnesota Public Radio in 1983. In 1998 and '99, Ratner took a leave of absence to work as a music host and producer for China Radio International in Beijing. Her spare time is devoted to international travel; folk, ballroom and contradancing; singing in the Minnesota Chorale; her two cats, and trying to stay ahead of the weeds in her garden.


Mindy Ratner

Classical music host Mindy Ratner has gathered a collection of conversations with some of those touched directly by the Holocaust. Listen now to 'Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words.'


Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Listen: 'Kaddish: Reflections on the Holocaust in Music and Words'

SymphonyCast - Feb. 1, 2026

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

On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast’: from ocean mists to towering summits, Ludovic Morlot leads the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, plus pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja takes center stage for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


SymphonyCast - 0260126

Portrait of a woman in a blue hat on a black background

SymphonyCast® 

Marco Boggreve

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.

Rhapsody in Black - Paul Robeson

Columbia University graduate and polyglot Paul Robeson was a bass-baritone who advocated for the performance of African American spirituals in classical spaces. Considered a ‘darling of the entertainment industry,’ he was almost erased from history for his outspoken activism. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.


Paul Robeson - Ol' Man River (HD) | Film: Showboat (1936)

Provided

Paul Robeson was a brilliant star who was almost erased

Extra Eclectic - Jan. 21, 2026

On the latest episode of ‘Extra Eclectic,’ our theme is a simple one: “big” and “small” pieces. In the first hour, the works come in large sizes, including Steve Reich’s ‘Music for a Large Ensemble.’ We get small in the second hour with Nico Muhly’s ‘Small Variations.’ Listen now with host Steve Seel! 


Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

Big and small music

New Classical Tracks (extended interview): Megan Swan (From the Top)

New Classical Tracks - Megan Swan FTT

On the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks,’ the educational fellowship program, national radio show, and podcast ‘From the Top’ celebrates its silver anniversary with a new digital recording featuring performances by young musicians and guest artists. Listen now with host Julie Amacher!


From the Top 25 album cover featuring a pianist over a blue background

From the Top 25

From the Top

'From the Top' celebrates 25 years with new recording

SymphonyCast - Jan. 19, 2026

On the latest episode of ‘SymphonyCast,’ Alan Gilbert leads the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7. Also on the concert, Anna Clyne’s ‘Restless Ocean,’ and clarinetist Martin Fröst shines in Hillborg’s ‘Peacock Tales’ concerto. Listen now with host Steve Seel!


SymphonyCast - January 19, 2026

Man walking across rocky surface with clarinet in hand

Nikolaj Lund

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

Rhapsody in Black - Paul Freeman meets MLK

Find out how a chance meeting with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped give composer and conductor Paul Freeman the resolve to make classical music more inclusive and diverse on the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. Listen now.
