Minnesota Arrival

1858, in music

by Rex Levang, Minnesota Public Radio

Spend an hour listening to the music of 1858, and discovering some interesting connections between the music and Minnesota's history and landscape.

St. Paul, Minn. — Minnesota became a state 150 years ago. What did the music and instruments of 1858 sound like? Who performed at Minnesota's first classical concert? Does Minnesota's state motto have an operatic connection? Do you know the "Minnesota Polka"?

MPR classical music hosts Steve Staruch and Rex Levang delve into these questions, and more, for a fun hour of music and talk that looks at the early days of Minnesota statehood, from a classical point of view.