Classical Music from Minnesota Public Radio

New Classical Tracks: A wide-ranging 'Journey'

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:08:26 -0500

The new disc by guitarist Sharon Isbin begins with anonymous music from the Renaissance, and concludes with music from modern-day troubadours like Joan Baez and Mark O'Connor -- who also join in as performers.

New Classical Tracks: Fiddler blends bluegrass with classical

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In a series of string quartets, Mark O'Connor is blending musical elements from the past -- his own past, and the traditions of American folk music.

Piano-e-competition 2009

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:40:20 -0500

Twenty-four pianists -- culled from a herd of pianists by playing the best on a "replicating piano" -- will converge in St. Paul for the fourth Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition.

Flutes, old and new

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:48:31 -0500

This week, archaeologists in southern Germany discovered the earliest known instrument -- a 35,000-year-old flute made out of a vulture bone. You can hear a modern silver flute -- played with the same techniques as that old bone flute -- with the Dorian Wind Quintet in concert last January in St. Paul.

New Classical Tracks: The many voices of the bassoon

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:13:01 -0500

At age 20, Karen Geoghegan is becoming a very visible advocate for her instrument, the bassoon.

Cantus wins major award from Chorus America

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:15:28 -0500

The Minneapolis-based ensemble Cantus has been recognized with one of the highest honors for vocal music.

Fathers and sons -- The music of Gabriel and Jeffrey Kahane

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:18:20 -0500

It's Father's Day this Sunday, and we thought we'd celebrate with selections by fathers and their musical progeny.

King's Singers concert on the bluffs

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:48:21 -0500

You will be enchanted listening to this concert recorded at last season's Beethoven Festival in Winona.

New Classical Tracks: Love poems

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:29:01 -0500

A new disc of Renaissance choral music has struck a chord with listeners who have been blogging and tweeting enthusiastically about Stile Antico's "Song of Songs."

Michael Steinberg on Beethoven's 'Missa Solemnis'

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

MPR classical host Steve Staruch talks with the Minnesota Orchestra's Michael Steinberg about the Beethoven "Missa Solemnis," in the final concert of the orchestra's 2008-2009 season.

The Orange Mighty Trio performs on Radio Heartland

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500

Local "bluegrassical" trio, The Orange Mighty Trio, performs songs from their new album in the studio.

SPCO and South Dakota Symphony pick up ASCAP award

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:46:54 -0500

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra are being honored for playing music by contemporary American composers.

Miro Quartet returns to White Pine Festival

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:44:37 -0500

The White Pine Festival, coming up next Wednesday in several towns along the St. Croix River Valley, celebrates the convergence of music, painting and poetry. The Miro Quartet is performing a new work in collaboration with poet Matthea Harvey.

Pacifica Quartet plays Beethoven on the shores of Lake Superior

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:32:59 -0500

If you can teach it, you can do it. That's the philosophy of the Pacifica Quartet, which gives master classes to young string players around the country. One such stint was at the Madeline Island Music Festival a couple years back, where they also performed an early Beethoven quartet you can listen to right here.

New Classical Tracks: From spirituals to tangos

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:00:01 -0500

Pianist Joel Fan's new disc explores music by North and South American composers, many of whom were influenced by the popular songs and traditions of their own countries.