Minnesota Public Radio features by Emily Reese

Lennie Moore and Red Orchestra 2: Rising Storm on Top Score

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:30:00 -0500

With so many World War II games on the market, it can be difficult to come up with a unique sound for the score. Lennie Moore talks about his music for Red Orchestra 2: Rising Storm on Top Score.

Garry Schyman's BioShock Infinite on Top Score

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0500

How do I feel about composer Garry Schyman's score to the new BioShock Infinite? Put it on a stage and let me hear it live, over and over... and over... and over...

Deconstructing "Tomb Raider" with Composer Jason Graves

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:30:00 -0500

Composer Jason Graves explains the musical themes he created for "Tomb Raider" on the new episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Kevin Riepl and Aliens: Colonial Marines on Top Score

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:30:00 -0500

What happens when a composer writes a great score for a not-so-great game? Kevin Riepl talks about his music for Aliens: Colonial Marines.

Jeremy Soule Uses Kickstarter to Fund His First Symphony

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:30:07 -0500

Kickstarter is a website allowing consumers to fund projects, including movies, games, conferences and everything else in between. "Skyrim" composer Jeremy Soule decided to use it to fund writing, recording and performing his Symphony No. 1.

Jim Dooley and Infamous on Top Score

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:00:00 -0500

Composer Jim Dooley talks about working on both games in the Infamous series on Top Score from Classical MPR.

Classical MPR at PAX East 2013

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:46:55 -0500

Top Score and Classical MPR host Emily Reese traveled to Boston to moderate the "Behind the Music of Blockbuster Video Games" panel at PAX East 2013.

Peter McConnell and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time on Top Score

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:40:14 -0500

Peter McConnell and Emily Reese talk Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time on the new episode of Top Score from Classical MPR. Enter for your chance to win a copy of the PlayStation 3 game below!

The Parker Quartet perform at Classical MPR and discuss their upcoming concert

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:16:42 -0600

Minnesota's own Parker Quartet are one of the most celebrated classical ensembles of their generation. Today, they returned to Minnesota Public Radio's studios for a performance and interview with Emily Reese.

Penka Kouneva and A Warrior's Odyssey on Top Score

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0600

Composer Penka Kouneva took two months between projects to write her own music, culminating in a CD called A Warrior's Odyssey. Emily Reese spoke with Penka about her music, and coming to the U.S. from Bulgaria.

Joel Corelitz and The Unfinished Swan on Top Score

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 06:00:00 -0600

Composer Joel Corelitz just received a BAFTA nomination for his score to The Unfinished Swan. Baroque-inspired sounds accompany the artful tale. Hear our conversation on the latest episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Daniel Licht's Music for "Dishonored"

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:00:00 -0600

Steampunk meets Charles Dickens's London in the game Dishonored, scored by composer Daniel Licht.

Inon Zur and Rift on Top Score

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600

Composer Inon Zur and the new music for Rift: Storm Legion on the latest episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Video Game Music Quiz: Can You Tell the Difference?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:00:00 -0600

We've been playing video game music all week, now the moment of reckoning: can you tell the difference between these Classical compositions and Video Game scores? Take our quiz and find out.

The Current Presents the Best Video Game Scores of 2012

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 06:00:00 -0600

The Current Presents the Best Video Game Scores of 2012, hosted by Emily Reese of Top Score.

Top Score: The South American Sounds of Papo & Yo

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:00:00 -0600

Papo & Yo turned out to be one of the most emotional experiences I've had as a gamer. While I feel as though I say that more and more, it's a trend I wholeheartedly embrace.

Jesper Kyd and Darksiders II on Top Score

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:30:00 -0600

Jesper Kyd explains how he scored the afterlife, light and darkness for Darksiders II on Top Score from Classical MPR.

Learning to Listen: Let's Get Ready to Rondo

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:26:34 -0600

We continue exploring types of musical form on Learning to Listen with a look at a 'rondo'.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Gets Musical Makeover from Jack Wall

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:00:00 -0600

Significant musical moments in Call of Duty: Black Ops II are explained by the soundtrack's composer, Jack Wall, on the newest episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Matt Uelmen, Diablo and Torchlight on Top Score

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:00:00 -0600

Matt Uelmen shares his music for Torchlight II on Top Score from Classical MPR.

Christopher Lennertz on Top Score

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:00:00 -0600

Christopher Lennertz is a busy guy, working on multiple television projects like Supernatural and Revolution, in addition to writing music for games like Starhawk and Mass Effect 3. Hear the conversation on the new episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Video Game Music Fan Site OC ReMix on Top Score

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:30:00 -0600

David Lloyd launched OCReMix.org in 1999 to create a site for fans to share their interpretations of game music. David and submissions judge Larry Oji joined Top Score for a conversation about fan art.

Sonata Form on Learning to Listen

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:00:00 -0600

Sonata form emerged as the most important compositional tool in the 18th century. What is it, who uses it and where is it used? Find out in the new episode of Learning to Listen from Classical MPR.

Composer Lorne Balfe Chats Skylanders on Top Score

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:25:00 -0500

On the new episode of Top Score, Lorne Balfe talks about his music for the new "Skylanders" game, called "Skylanders: Giants."

Learning to Listen: Introduction to Musical Form

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:30:00 -0500

What makes a symphony a symphony? What makes a waltz a waltz? How about the blues, what is taking place that makes us call a song a blues song? There are so many different ways to write a song or piece of music, and there are rules for all those ways.

Spy Hunter Gets New Soundtrack by Ryan Shore

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:15:00 -0500

Composer Ryan Shore Top Score from Classical MPR to discuss his score for a relaunched "Spy Hunter."

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses on Top Score

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:30:00 -0500

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses is a musical celebration of twenty-five years of Zelda melodies. The new episode of Top Score features a conversation with the producers of the touring show, video game music fans Jason Michael Paul and Jeron Moore.

Top Score Giveaway: Calling All Dawns by Christopher Tin

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:00:00 -0500

Christopher Tin kindly sent us five signed copies of "Calling All Dawns". Enter today for your chance to win a copy!

Jessica Curry and Dear Esther on Top Score

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:00:00 -0500

Jessica Curry's chamber music score for indie game Dear Esther is a wonderful compliment to stunning visuals and compelling narrative.

Christopher Tin on Top Score

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Composer Christopher Tin is the featured guest on the new episode of Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Clara Schumann and Arnold Schoenberg

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:30:00 -0500

Clara Schumann got a lot of birthday attention, thanks to the Google Doodle for Sept. 13; here's a closer look at her history -- and that of another composer who shares the birthday, Arnold Schonberg.

Learning to Listen - Debussy

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:00:00 -0500

The sounds created by Claude Debussy can be quickly recognized, but he was a versatile composer who wrote in many different genres. This podcast introduces you to some of his instrumental works.

The Music of Skyrim on Top Score

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:00:00 -0500

A review of some of the best music from Jeremy Soule's soundtrack for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Learning to Listen: The Minuet

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:42:28 -0500

Our Learning to Listen series takes a closer look at classical music, aiming to help you understand what you're hearing on Classical MPR. This lesson is about the minuet.

Learning to Listen: Baroque Dance Suites

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On Classical Minnesota Public Radio, we play music from the medieval to the modern. Our Learning to Listen series aims to help you understand what you are hearing, and when it might have been written.

Bach Playlist: The Brandenburgs

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Bach wrote his six Brandenburg Concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg, Christian Ludwig, possibly hoping to secure employment in the margrave's court. Lacking the necessary virtuosic players, the margrave never heard the concertos, and the manuscripts weren't published until 1850, one-hundred years after Bach's death.

Darren Korb Talks Bastion on Top Score

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:30:00 -0500

Darren Korb created what he calls "acoustic frontier trip-hop" as the soundscape for the game Bastion. Hear Darren and his music on Top Score from Classical MPR.

Austin Wintory talks about Journey on Top Score

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Austin Wintory teamed up with thatgamecompany and Jenova Chen to create a terrific score for the game "Journey"

The Music of Mass Effect 3 on Top Score

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:30:00 -0500

Three of the composers from Mass Effect 3 join Emily Reese for a conversation about their music on the newest episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Richard Jacques on Top Score

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:00:00 -0500

Two of my favorite things coincide on the new episode of Top Score: composer Richard Jacques, and LittleBigPlanet.

Ron Fish Talks Batman on Top Score

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:00:00 -0600

Composer Ron Fish joins Top Score to talk about his music for Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Asylum, the God of War series and Sega Japan's Rise of Nightmares.

Mozart's Don Giovanni from the Met

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:00:00 -0600

Mozart's Don Giovanni is live from the Metropolitan Opera Saturday, March 10. Hear it on Classical MPR at 11:00 am CT.

Mass Effect Preview Show on Top Score

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:36:45 -0600

Mass Effect 3 comes out on March 6th, and Top Score has a preview of two new tracks, and a review of the music from the Mass Effect universe.

Jesper Kyd at Minnesota Public Radio Headquarters

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:44:43 -0600

Composer Jesper Kyd visited MPR headquarters in November for Top Score's first live event. Check out the audio and video from the night!

Playlist for Children

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

Continuing with our New Year's resolution playlists, Host Emily Reese compiled a list to get kids up and moving to Classical Music.

The Enchanted Island - A World Premiere at the Met

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0600

"The Enchanted Island" gets its broadcast premiere at The Metropolitan Opera Saturday. Hear it live on Classical MPR at noon central.

8- and 16-Bit Music on Top Score

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:44:53 -0600

Host of The Legacy Music Hour podcast, Brent Weinbach, joins Top Score to talk about his passion for the 8- and 16-bit era of video game music.

Inon Zur talks about Lord of the Rings: War in the North on Top Score

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:27:55 -0600

Inon Zur returns to Top Score from Classical MPR to talk about his new score to Lord of the Rings: War in the North. Enter the drawing for a chance to win the Xbox version of Lord of the Rings -- War of the North, plus the original game soundtrack by Inon Zur.

Best Video Game Soundtracks of 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:09:04 -0600

Here are my picks for the best video game soundtracks of 2011.

Jesper Kyd Talks Assassin's Creed on Top Score

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0600

Composer Jesper Kyd has written music for all four games in the Assassin's Creed series. Hear him talk about the experience in the new episode of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Greg Edmonson and Uncharted 3 on Top Score

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:31:39 -0600

Greg Edmonson talks about his music for the Uncharted trilogy on Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Brian Tyler Talks Modern Warfare 3 on Top Score

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:30:00 -0500

Brian Tyler talks about his score for one of the most anticipated games of the year: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on the new episode of Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Bear McCreary on Top Score

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:41:25 -0500

Composer Bear McCreary is our guest on Top Score this week from Classical MPR. I first became interested in his music through my adoration of the relaunched "Battlestar Galactica" series on SyFy. Lucky for me, Bear also scored two video games. Capcom's "Dark Void" from 2010, and Sony's "SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs."

Tom Salta on Top Score

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Composer Tom Salta applied a multifaceted musical background to create an immersive and highly interactive soundtrack for Eric Chahi's new game, "From Dust."

Boris Salchow's Music for Resistance 3 on Top Score

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The latest installment of Top Score features an interview with Boris Salchow, who composed the score for the recently released sci-fi shooter "Resistance 3."

Top Score Launches Season 2 with Halo Composer Martin O'Donnell

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:46:29 -0500

Veteran video game composer Martin O'Donnell talks about writing scores for ten years of Halo on the first episode of season 2 from Top Score on Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Top Score: Season 2 Challenge

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:42:52 -0500

Top Score, our podcast exploring video game music is announcing its second season. But in true game fashion, there's a challenge for you to figure out.

Top Score: Laura Karpman

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:12:52 -0500

What does 20th-century American composer Milton Babbitt (1916-2011) have to do with video game music? A lot, as it turns out.

Heavy Rain on Top Score

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The game Heavy Rain was released in 2010 by Quantic Dream. Composer Normand Corbeil wrote the music and is the guest on Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

A Chip Off the Old Bach

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:48:56 -0500

What bridges the music from the Baroque and Classical eras? Something happened in between those two periods of music that spanned the complex polyphony of the Baroque, and the homophonic style of the Classical era, and that's precisely where Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach landed.

Red Dead Redemption on Top Score

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:21:46 -0500

Rockstar Games turned to Bill Elm and Woody Jackson to create the music for "Red Dead Redemption." On this episode of Top Score from Classical MPR, Elm discusses he and Jackson's background in the alt-country scene, his admiration for Italian film composer Ennio Morricone and more.

Sean Murray, composer for Call of Duty: Black Ops on Top Score

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:00:00 -0500

Composer Sean Murray talks about his music for Call of Duty: Black Ops, game 7 in one of the most successful franchises in gaming history. Hear him on Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

BioShock Composer Garry Schyman on Top Score

Tue, 24 May 2011 14:35:20 -0500

Composer Garry Schyman talks to Top Score about his music for BioShock, BioShock 2 and Dante's Inferno.

Dead Space Composer Jason Graves on Top Score

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Composer Jason Graves created a gorgeous but terrifying score for Dead Space and Dead Space 2. Hear an interview with Jason on Episode 3 of Top Score from Classical MPR.

Stacking on Top Score

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:09:16 -0500

Episode Two of Top Score is all about Stacking, a delightful game with a classical soundtrack. Join Emily Reese for a conversation with Game Designer Lee Petty, Audio Director Brian Min and Composer Peter McConnell.

Top Score: Dragon Age II Composer Inon Zur

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Award-winning composer Inon Zur writes music for video games like Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II, and the two most recent games in the Fallout series. He talks about his journey and his job on Top Score from Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Gluck's Iphigenie en Tauride at The Met

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:52:18 -0600

Saturday, February 26, 2011, The Metropolitan Opera will broadcast a live performance of Gluck's opera "Iphigenie en Tauride" on Classical MPR at 12:00 p.m. CST. The star-studded cast includes Susan Graham and Placido Domingo.

Verdi's Troubles with Simon Boccanegra

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:34:27 -0600

When Verdi's opera Simon Boccanegra premiered, audiences didn't understand the libretto and they didn't like the music. Maybe the costumes were pretty?

Puccini's Tosca at The Met

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:59:47 -0600

Puccini knew what he wanted, and he eventually got it. Hear his opera, Tosca, in a live broadcast by The Metropolitan Opera on Classical MPR Saturday at noon.

Verdi's Rigoletto

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:16:33 -0600

Verdi took a few too many chances while writing his opera, Rigoletto.

Getting to know the Gamer Symphony Orchestra

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:18:04 -0600

There is a new generation of musicians with a growing interest in performing in and attending concerts by orchestral ensembles. Kids have always wanted to learn to play the melodies from Hollywood blockbuster movies and hit television shows, but there's a newer game in town, so to speak.

Video Games Live

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:14:13 -0600

Tommy Tallarico is passionate about opening the eyes of non-gamers to the world of video gaming and drawing in a new generation of classical music lovers. He's managed to do both with his live concert series Video Games Live.

State plans to introduce wasps to combat ash borer

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:34:30 -0500

The state of Minnesota plans to introduce stingless wasps to help eradicate the emerald ash borer.