Poster Classical MPR 50th
50 years of Classical MPR
MPR

Celebrating 50 Years of Classical Minnesota Public Radio

Celebrating 50 Years of Classical Minnesota Public Radio

Sunday, Jan. 22 marks a half-century since Minnesota Public Radio began bringing you classical music on the airwaves.

Join Michael Barone and Mindy Ratner, along with a few of our musical friends from throughout the region, as we reflect on where we've been ... and look ahead to where we're going.

You'll hear lots of music and memorable stories, including:

• Conversations with announcer Dennis Rooney, audio engineer Michael Shields, and MPR founder Bill Kling on the very first broadcast in 1967.
• A story of Bill Kling showing up at the door of classical music lovers Bob and Sarah Maud Sivertsen in the middle of winter to thank them for supporting the station.
• Recollection of the broadcast of the Minnesota Orchestra's very first performance from their new Orchestra Hall home — Oct. 24, 1974.

Join us Sunday Jan. 22, beginning at 3 p.m. on Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Let us know what Classical Minnesota Public Radio means to you.

As we share stories with you, we want to hear your memories and stories about Classical MPR. Some ideas to consider:

• How did you discover Classical MPR?
• Is there a piece of music that really means something important to you?
• Did you meet a host in real life, e.g. at the State Fair? How was that?
• Have you ever made a request and heard it played?

Share some of your favorite or significant CMPR moments by filling out the form below.

You must be 13 or older to submit any information to American Public Media. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about things like our programs, products and services. See Terms of Use and Privacy.

Playlist

L'impresario in augustie: Overture
Domenico Cimarosa
Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia
Alessandro Amoretti, conductor
Naxos 8570508
05:18

Serenade No. 9 "Posthorn": 6th movement
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Cleveland Orchestra
George Szell, conductor
Sony 46515
05:05

Piano Concerto No. 1: III. Rondo
Ludwig van Beethoven
Alfred Brendel, piano
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Recorded live at Orchestra Hall on October 23, 1975
08:33

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Johann Sebastian Bach arr. Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
Minnesota Orchestra
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor
Live recording from opening night of Orchestra Hall
10:22

Mozart Violin concerto No. 5: III. Rondo
Pinchas Zukerman, violin
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Pinchas Zukerman

Rusalka: Song to the Moon
Antonin Dvorak
Kelly Kaduce, soprano
Minnesota Opera Orchestra
Michael Christie, conductor
06:44

String Quartet: IV. Vif et agite
Maurice Ravel
Verona Quartet
Recorded live at the Atonement Lutheran Church, St. Cloud MN on November 12, 2016
05:10

Capriccio ('Rossini in Paris') for clarinet and orchestra: II. Une caresse a ma femme
Dominick Argento
Burt Hara, clarinet
Minnesota Orchestra
Eiji Oue, conductor
Reference 100
06:37

The Road Home
Stephen Paulus
The Singers
Matthew Culloton, conductor
Singers 2965
03:51

Deep Summer Music
Libby Larsen
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Koch 7520
07:17

Symphony No. 1: III.
Christopher Theofanidis
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, conductor
ASO Media 1002
04:02

Violin Concerto in E minor: III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace
Felix Mendelssohn
Chad Hoopes, violin
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
Kristian Jarvi, conductor
Naive 5368
06:33

Dances
John Playford
Flying Forms
04:03

Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen
Luna Quartet
Recording from the 2013 Varsity Showcase Concert
05:51

Pilgrims' Hymn

Stephen Paulus

Dale Warland Singers
Dale Warland, conductor
Live recording from Dale Warland Singers Farewell Concert, May 30, 2004
03:56

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass: Gloria
Carol Barnett
VocalEssence
Philip Brunelle, conductor
Clarion 931
02:53

Once in Royal David's City
Choir of King's College
Festival in Nine Lessons and Carols, 2013

Sonata for Piano and Cello in A minor, Op. 36: II. Andante molto tranquillo
Edvard Grieg
David Finckel, cello; Wu Han, piano
ArtistLed 19701
06:35

Pines of Rome: The Pines of the Appian Way
Ottorino Respighi
Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra
Joel Revzen, conductor
Self Produced CD
05:06

Pieces for Clavecin: Les Cyclops
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Brasil Guitar Duo (Joao Luiz & Douglas Lora)
Live recording from Pilgrim Congregational Church, Duluth MN on November 18, 2014
03:48

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, 'Choral': IV. Presto
Ludwig van Beethoven
Helena Juntunen, soprano; Katarina Karneus, mezzo; Daniel Norman, tenor; Neal Davies, bass-baritone
Minnesota Chorale
Minnesota Orchestra
Kathy Romey, artistic director Minnesota Chorale
Osmo Vanska, conductor
Bis 1616
23:01


Other things to watch for as we celebrate 50 years of Classical Minnesota Public Radio:

Minnesota Encores — on the fourth Monday of every month, we will feature select concerts from the Classical MPR archive, including the dedication of Orchestra Hall with the Minnesota Orchestra (1974); Jessye Norman performing at the Schubert Club; the opening of the Ordway Center with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; the final concert of the Dale Warland Singers.
• On March 9, we'll share a live broadcast of the Minnesota debut of the Eric Whitacre singers, performing at the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
• Throughout 2017, there will be Bring the Sing events, as well as Class Notes Artists visits to area schools. In March, we'll share Perf Chats with the current roster of Class Notes Artists.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$