http://minnesota.publicradio.org/about/people/mpr_people_display.php?aut_id=93 en-us Copyright 2009 Minnesota Public Radio Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:51:25 -0600 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/standard/images/mpr003/logo_mpr.gif http://minnesota.publicradio.org/?refid=0 The sensational Argentine pianist Ingrid Fliter explores the waltzes of Chopin in her latest recording. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/24/new-classical-tracks-ingrid-fliter-chopin/?refid=0 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:38:47 -0600 Janine Jansen interprets two violin concertos -- a standard and a 20th-century "hidden gem." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600 A young American violist discovers the music of New Englander Quincy Porter, and falls in love with it. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/10/new-classical-tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:10:24 -0600 A trio of star soloists brings out the passion and beauty in two Russian chamber works. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/11/03/new-classical-tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:42:51 -0600 On a new disc, classical music's newest superstar offers music by Beethoven, Mahler, and others-the kind of music, he says, that can change lives. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/27/new-classical-tracks-gustavo-dudamel-simon-bolivar-youth-orchestra/?refid=0 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:36:25 -0500 Two young Americans delve into the fun, and the fury, of Beethoven. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/19/new_classical_tracks-zuill-bailey-simone-dinnerstein-beethoven/?refid=0 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:56:37 -0500 This new CD combines Italian music, British musicians, and a dash of French style. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/13/new-classical-tracks-vivaldi-la-serenissima/?refid=0 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:05:24 -0500 Robert Simpson first captured the spirit of Russian choral music from his Russian wife Marianna Parnas Simpson. But tracking down scores for what would become the new recording of his Houston Chamber Choir, a disc called "Ravishingly Russian," turned out to be a stumbling block. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/06/ravashingly-russian-houston-chamber-robert-simpson/?refid=0 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:18:43 -0500 Leon Fleisher was a child prodigy who went on to become one of the leading pianists of his generation. More than 40 years ago, he was struck with Focal Dystonia, a neurological disorder that prevented him from using his right hand, but that did not slow down an amazingly diverse career. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/29/leon_fleisher_interview/?refid=0 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:21 -0500 Effervescent, Ineffable, Lyrical: Leon Fleisher brings his artistry to three of Mozart's piano concertos. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/29/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:39:54 -0500 At age 20, Karen Geoghegan is becoming a very visible advocate for her instrument, the bassoon. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/06/23/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:13:01 -0500 Conductor JoAnn Falletta presents a Schubert quartet, arranged for orchestra, and a completed version of the "Unfinished" Symphony. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/14/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:05:59 -0500 Contemporary American composers take up themes of loss and remembrance on a new disc from the Atlanta Symphony. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/08/new-classical-tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:25:09 -0500 Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is now the music director of the New Century Chamber Orchestra. On their new disc, they present highlights of their first season together. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/31/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:31:57 -0500 The subtexts of Leos Janacek's two string quartets include secret passion, and a tale of forbidden love and murder -- all this from a man in his 70s. The Emerson Quartet explores Janacek's soundscapes on its latest disc. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/05/26/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 A 70th-birthday anthology from beloved flutist James Galway ranges from Mozart and Vivaldi to the sounds of folk and pop music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/11/classica-tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:18:11 -0500 In fresh, alluring performances, a young violinist presents a familiar concerto and music of her own country, the Republic of Georgia. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/04/classical-tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires is especially identified with the music of Chopin. She explores his late works on her newest release. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:15:59 -0500 "Bel canto" means beautiful singing, and that's exactly while you'll hear on this new collection of opera arias featuring Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/14/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -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. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/07/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:08:26 -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. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/06/30/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -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." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/06/16/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:29:01 -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. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/06/09/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:00:01 -0500 Johannes Brahms and Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote one violin concerto each -- both in the key of D. The young violinist Nikolaj Znaider pairs them on his new disc, in warm-toned, lyrical performances. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/31/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0500 Dvorak's beloved Cello Concerto took inspiration from a surprising source -- a concerto by Victor Herbert, best known for operetta standards like "Babes in Toyland." On a new disc, Gautier Capucon plays both pieces, and the Herbert turns out to be a delightful surprise. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/05/19/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Rolando Villazon has become world famous for singing the operas of Verdi and Puccini. Moving into Baroque opera meant discovering a new repertoire, but also a new approach to interpreting music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/05/12/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500 Emerging from the "stir-fry of American culture," the latest disc from Mark O'Connor draws on the sounds of fiddling, the techniques of classical music, and even the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/04/28/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:53:20 -0500 An 18th century Red Priest meets a 20th century Tango master on a fresh, new recording celebrating "The Four Seasons." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/04/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:48:00 -0500 On her latest disc, Helene Grimaud plays Bach, both in the original and in transcriptions made by Romantic keyboard giants, such as Liszt and Rachmaninoff. In both cases, Grimaud finds that Bach's message speaks with a penetrating voice. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:00:49 -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. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/04/07/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:15:56 -0500 Jonathan Cohler took an unusual career path to become a professional clarinetist, and also makes some unconventional choices as he interprets the chamber pieces on his latest compact disc. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/24/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500 The latest disc from violinist Anne Akiko Meyers strikes an eclectic note. The composers here range from Schubert and Messiaen to Charlie Chaplin. What they have in common is a deep personal appeal. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/03/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:42:51 -0500 Anne Gastinel began her career as a child prodigy, and made the difficult transition to an adult solo career. Today she is France's leading cellist. Her new disc explores the music of Schubert and its wealth of melody. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/01/13/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0600 The quicksilver, virtuosic writing of Felix Mendelssohn finds a very apt interpreter in violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Her new disc is a bicentennial tribute to the German Romantic master. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/24/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:06:19 -0600 On his latest disc, the young cellist Zuill Bailey turns in committed performances of two landmark pieces from the Russian repertory: Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations and Shostakovich's First Concerto. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/10/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:24:39 -0600 Antonio Vivaldi wrote some of his best-known pieces for an unusual group of musicians: young women who were taught to sing and play instruments at a Venetian orphanage. A new disc pays homage to their extraordinary talent. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/23/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600 On a new disc, two of today's top violinists get together to play double concertos by Vivaldi. It's a playful, virtuosic musical conversation with a rare sense of partnership. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/01/20/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600 Anne-Sophie Mutter's new disc pairs Bach's two violin concertos with a new piece written for her by Sofia Gubaidulina. Mutter finds that there's an intellectual and a spiritual element that unites both composers. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/01/06/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:50:50 -0600 The nation of Latvia, on the Baltic Sea, has a rich musical tradition, but in 1975, one choir discovered that there was a dearth of Christmas music for them to perform in concert, and decided to do something about it. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/16/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:43:05 -0600 Leroy Anderson wrote a perennial holiday classic with his "Sleigh Ride." But it was only one of several pieces he wrote for this festive time of year. Now, they've all been brought together on one CD. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/09/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600 The music of John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers has been a familiar part of the Christmas season for decades. But this new disc is their first all-new Christmas recording in 20 years. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/12/02/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:41:14 -0600 A good time is had by all on this new album from cellist Yo-Yo Ma. It's a musical holiday party -- and the eclectic guest list includes Renee Fleming, Alison Kraus, Paquito D'Rivera, and James Taylor. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/25/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:43:32 -0600 A new disc from La Pieta sketches a portrait of Philip Glass, and suggests the wide spectrum of feelings and moods that his music can evoke. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/18/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:35 -0600 Rachel Barton Pine loves to make musical discoveries. Like the fact that the former lead guitarist of The Scorpions, Uli Roth, got the idea for his now-famous heavy metal guitar lick from the solo part of the Brahms violin concerto. After playing that concerto for years, Pine knows that same little violin riff well. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/09/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600 Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian appears in opera houses throughout the world. But on her new disc, she returns to music from her own heritage -- the songs of the composer Gomidas, considered the founder of Armenian classical music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/04/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:00:00 -0600 Richard Stoltzman could have been a dentist, until a college encounter with classical music made him change his plans. On his new disc, he takes on pieces by Debussy and Weber for their musical worth, not their technical challenges. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/28/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0500 The first Beethoven recordings by Osmo Vanska and the Minnesota Orchestra received rave reviews and whetted listeners' appetites for more. Now, with their newest disc, the cycle of nine symphonies is complete. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:00:28 -0500 On this new release, guitarist Pablo Garibay blends the past with the present as he looks to the future. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/07/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:53:09 -0500 Violinist Joshua Bell has been playing Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in public for several years, honing his own sense of the drama, and the fun, of these beloved pieces. Now, he's bringing his performances out on disc for the first time. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/30/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:53:02 -0500 A new disc lets the trombone sing out in three concertos by American composers, all of them showing the influences of popular styles -- jazz, swing, and world music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/23/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:24:42 -0500 Jon Lord, best known as part of the group Deep Purple, has also had a lifelong involvement with classical music. His new piano concerto is influenced by Bach and Dave Brubeck, and takes its title from D. H. Lawrence. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/15/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Percy Grainger is best remembered as a pianist, but he made a significant contribution to the band repertoire. A new disc from a leading British band reveals the range of sonorities that he gets from the woodwinds and brass, and the range of his musical curiosity. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/19/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:52:53 -0500 A new disc of Mozart violin concertos finds soloist and conductor in natural agreement. Bright tempos, attention to detail, and operatic flair give this set a winning freshness. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/12/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:06:51 -0500 Albert Ginastera is Argentina's most famous composer, but much of his music is rarely played. Now, his complete works for cello and piano, evoking the songs and landscape of his native country, have been recorded by cellist Mark Kosower. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/05/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:43:15 -0500 The young Argentine musician Ingrid Fliter is one of the brightest rising stars in the piano world. The composer she's most identified with is Chopin, and his music is the focus of her latest disc. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/20/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Throughout his career, Nigel Kennedy has been both a mainstay and a rebel within the world of classical music. His new disc includes the Beethoven concerto, a Mozart concerto, and a very unconventional cadenza. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/08/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:40:20 -0500 Even people who don't know Leroy Anderson's name recognize the standards that he composed, such as "Sleigh Ride" and "Blue Tango." The Naxos label is marking his centennial by bringing out his complete orchestral music, conducted by no less than Leonard Slatkin. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/01/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:45:30 -0500 There are plenty of recordings of Puccini's "La Boheme." But this latest one stands out, thanks to the star soloists in the lead roles and a conductor who knows how to bring out the drama in this most popular of all operas. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/24/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:38:10 -0500 Pinchas Zukerman's latest recording isn't a violin concerto. Instead, he's teaming up in a chamber ensemble that delivers buoyant performances of two beloved pieces by Schubert and Mozart. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:00:19 -0500 Harry Christophers gave his choir the name The Sixteen to suggest that they weren't bound to any single historical period. Their new disc, "A Mother's Love," lives up to that goal, with pieces spanning 10 centuries and half a dozen countries -- all commemorating the Virgin Mary. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/13/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Maurizio Pollini's new disc features two Mozart piano concertos -- one lyrical, one darker and more dramatic. As played by Pollini and the Vienna Philharmonic, Mozart's contrasting moods emerge with crystal clarity. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/03/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:44:18 -0500 What if Rachmaninoff's most popular symphony were rewritten, as a piece for piano and orchestra? In the hands of a contemporary Russian composer, Rachmaninoff's second symphony has now become his Piano Concerto No. 5. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 27 May 2008 10:01:34 -0500 Gil Shaham's new disc presents two violin concertos -- one a 19th-century standard, the other written 80 years later in Communist China -- but both cast in lush romantic style. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/29/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:00:33 -0500 On his latest disc, tenor Rolando Villazon has delved into operatic scores from 19th century Italy, many of them unfamiliar even to opera buffs. His criteria? "If my heart beat faster, then I chose it." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/22/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:52:16 -0500 The Baroque era, no less than the Romantic era, was an age of virtuoso composer-performers. On their inviting new disc, Musica Pacifica explores both the finger-twisting and the lyrical side of works by Vivaldi, Tartini, and Sammartini. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/15/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:40:55 -0500 Arrangements of operatic melodies were a mainstay of the Romantic violin virtuoso, and some of those pieces have become familiar standards. Violinist Livia Sohn has found overlooked transcriptions from that era, and she carries the tradition forward into the 21st century. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/08/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:23:45 -0500 Ever since finding a new home in Krakow, Poland, Nigel Kennedy has acquired a local's-eye view of that country's musicians and composers. On his new disc, he's revived a romantic violin concerto that even the Poles had forgotten about. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/14/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Six of George Frideric Handel's concerti grossi have just been issued by Boston Baroque, one of the world's leading period-instrument orchestras. Handel put his audience-pleasing flair into the Concerti, even as he recycled some of the music from his earlier works-or those of other composers. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/31/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 There's more to Respighi than "The Pines of Rome." The latest disc from JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic showcases three of his other works, in which his trademark orchestral brilliance is on full display. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/18/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:00:43 -0500 On his new disc, pianist Leif Ove Andnes plays -- and conducts -- Mozart with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. It's a combination that brings out spontaneous, subtle playing from soloist and orchestra alike. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/11/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:36:32 -0500 A few years back, Osmo Vanska and the Minnesota Orchestra began recording Beethoven's symphonies, in fresh, committed performances that have won international acclaim. They've just added two symphonies to the series: the sparkling 1st, and the 6th -- a sanctuary in sound. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/26/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:12:18 -0600 Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is a series of pictures in music. On her new disc, Sarah Chang gives them a high-definition presentation. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0600 Violinist Daniel Hope has had a lifelong involvement with the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. On his new disc, he plays it in its little-known original version, never recorded until now. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/12/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:00:02 -0600 Musical adventurers Rebel draw parallels between two Baroque masters for the first time, on their latest release, "Corellisante." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/05/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 09:59:24 -0600 The suites from Tchaikovsky's popular ballets have been recorded dozens of times. But on a new disc with a young Russian conductor, they come out sounding as fresh as ever. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/29/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 11:02:27 -0600 In 1982, Trevor Pinnock made an acclaimed recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos. Now at age 60, he's returned to those concertos with new insights, recording them with a hand-picked ensemble. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/22/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:14:52 -0600 Last year, this story elicited an unusually high number of questions and comments from readers of New Classical Tracks. Back by popular demand, here's another look at "Borrowed Treasures." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/08/28/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:44:47 -0600 Classical Minnesota Public Radio hosts Julie Amacher and Valerie Kahler take a look at some of their favorite new releases from 2007. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:00:00 -0600 The men's chorus Chanticleer has made several acclaimed Christmas recordings. Their newest, just released, tips the hat toward pop music, gospel, and jazz. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/18/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:48:32 -0600 Every era makes its contribution to the tradition of Christmas music. On a new disc, "Karolju," David Zinman presents Christmas pieces that use 20th century sounds to evoke familiar moods. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/11/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:23:31 -0600 Carlos Salzedo worked tirelessly to expand the expressive range of his instrument, the harp. On her new disc, one of today's leading harpists explores three facets of Salzedo's compositions. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/04/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:53:08 -0600 Italian composers created a new voice for the violin in the 18th century -- technically dazzling, melodically rich. The Chicago-based Trio Settecento explores their innovations on a new compact disc. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:51:40 -0600 The three women of Trio Mediaeval have always included Norwegian folk songs in their concerts, to the delight of their audiences. Now for the first time, they present them on compact disc. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/20/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:55:09 -0600 The MacPhail Center for Music will move into its new flagship building next month, near the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis. MPR's Julie Amacher recently took a tour of the state-of-the-art facility. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/12/macphailtour/?refid=0 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 03:00:39 -0600 The "Emperor" Concerto is usually thought to be as bold and heroic as its nickname. By taking a different, introspective approach, Grimaud sheds new light on this classic. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/06/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:37:27 -0600 The 5 Browns -- Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody and Ryan -- didn't plan on becoming professional musicians. All the same, their careers have taken off, and on their latest disc, they collaborate with some stellar names from the classical and jazz worlds. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/30/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:46:32 -0500 Andrew Manze and Richard Egarr have been acclaimed for their deft teamwork in the Baroque repertoire. On their new disc, they investigate the rarely heard violin sonatas of the young Franz Schubert, and find infectious, beguiling music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/23/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:29:54 -0500 Lisa Batiashvili's new disc includes two Finnish violin concertos: the classic concerto of Jean Sibelius, and a haunting new work by Magnus Lindberg, dedicated to her. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/16/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:59:28 -0500 Tenderness, joy, flamboyance, or sadness: all these have been evoked in song by composers of the Hispanic world. On a new disc, Kim Kashkashian expresses those moods -- on the viola. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/09/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:32:16 -0500 Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon are two singers who shine most brightly in opera's new generation of stars. Acclaimed as on-stage partners, they've now recorded a new disc of love duets. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:22:34 -0500 Simon Rattle has an affinity for Haydn -- his humor, his intimacy, his brilliance. On a new CD, he leads his orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, in six works of Haydn, and they respond with zest. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/18/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:47:51 -0500 Joshua Bell's new CD features a concerto that began life as a soundtrack. Bell predicts that the "Red Violin" Concerto will have a long life in the violin repertoire. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/04/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:21:48 -0500 Pianist Barry Douglas formed Camerata Ireland to celebrate the often overlooked talent of his native country. The latest CD in a series of the Beethoven piano concertos by Douglas and his chamber ensemble is another step forward in putting Ireland on the classical music map. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/08/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:23:28 -0500 Three years ago, Andras Schiff began a series of performances exploring the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in chronological order. ECM records documented this project with a series of recordings. The fourth volume in that series has just been released. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/08/14/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:04:32 -0500 In 2003, Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra earned three Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Album, for their recording of "A Sea Symphony," by Ralph Vaughn Williams. This new collection of orchestral works from Vaughan Williams is their follow-up to that critically acclaimed recording. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/08/07/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:58:52 -0500 Through artful, witty performances, clarinetists Sabine Meyer and Julian Bliss bring new life to some little-known 18th-century concertos. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/07/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0500 The English ensemble called The Sixteen is renowned for performances that span the great European choral tradition. Julie Amacher finds the group's new CD, "Into the Light," illuminating. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/07/10/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Like many violinists, Rachel Barton Pine looks to the past for great musical models. But the name Barton Pine most esteems is not Heifetz or Kreisler; it's Maud Powell. Her new recording pays tribute to this great American violinist of the late 19th century. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/07/03/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Composer Felix Mendelssohn lived a short, fast-paced life, a fact that's evident in listening to the three symphonies on a new CD by the Heidelberg Symphony. When he wrote these exuberant pieces, Mendelssohn was barely a teenager. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/06/19/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:00:00 -0500 In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio's Julie Amacher, choral conductor/composer Dale Warland discusses the Dale Warland Singers' new release, "Lux Aurumque," and his general approach to musicmaking. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/06/13/warlandinterview/?refid=0 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 09:47:32 -0500 The expert phrasing, intonation and balance of the Dale Warland Singers give the music on the new CD "Lux Aurumque" a wonderful sense of freedom. The group disbanded in 2004 but music is still coming from its archive. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/06/12/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 17:25:00 -0500 Italian Baroque specialist Fabio Biondi's latest recording reveals fresh music from a well-known name, Antonio Vivaldi, and from some far less familiar successors. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/29/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 29 May 2007 16:50:00 -0500 Early in her career, clarinetist Sabine Mayer earned worldwide attention when she became the first female member of the Berlin Philharmonic. Now she performs only as a soloist or in chamber music settings. Her latest recording is a stimulating exploration of French repertoire. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/22/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 22 May 2007 16:00:00 -0500 On his newest recording, former Van Cliburn Award-winner Nakamatsu turns his focus to George Gershwin, a great American composer with whom he has a few experiences in common. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/15/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 15 May 2007 15:04:48 -0500 Pianist Yundi Li is only 24 years old, but the emotional content of his new recording, featuring concertos by Liszt and Chopin, radiates from a much older soul. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/01/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 01 May 2007 16:30:00 -0500 The period-instrument ensemble Concerto Koln has released a collection of symphonies by a composer who enjoyed Mozart's friendship but little of his fame: Josef Myslivecek. The disc may make you wonder why Myslivecek's music is all but forgotten. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/04/24/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:00:00 -0500 J.S. Bach would probably have appreciated the transformation of his "Goldberg" Variations from a keyboard piece into a string trio. These deceptively simple little pieces have mesmerized music lovers for centuries, and a new recording of the trio version will do nothing to break the spell. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/04/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:30:22 -0500 In the space of a few days, violinist Joshua Bell has received a prestigious award, earned lots of press after busking in a Washington, DC Metro station and packed his bags for a European tour with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. He tells Minnesota Public Radio's Julie Amacher all about it. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/04/11/joshuabell/?refid=0 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:49:03 -0500 As he began to explore Mozart's violin concertos in depth, fiddle virtuoso Maxim Vengerov discovered echoes of Mozart's operas. So for his new recording, he sought advice from a world-famous soprano. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/04/05/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:20:00 -0500 With his blond hair, David Russell certainly doesn't look Spanish, but when his fingers touch the fretboard of his guitar, any question of whether he has authentic Spanish roots vanishes immediately. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/03/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Young Korean cellist Han-Na Chang paints with the soft, rich colors of the Romantic era on her new CD release, "Romance." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/03/20/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Some call it Brahms' most elusive work. But in her latest recording, conductor Marin Alsop offers an incredibly confident and expressive interpretation of his Symphony No. 3. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/03/13/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:00:00 -0500 Alison Balsom's warm, rich tone helps to accentuate the softer, more mysterious side of the trumpet. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/02/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:00:00 -0600 On his latest solo recording, 26-year-old pianist Jonathan Biss generates fiery sparks of passion and reveals tender moments of reflection in two major piano works by Robert Schumann. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/02/20/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:00:00 -0600 Music is meant to be shared, and no one knows that better than Yo-Yo Ma. Over the past 30 years, the gifted cellist has explored many of his musical passions with some of the greatest musicians of our time. On his new disc, "Appassionato," he opens his book of musical memoirs. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/02/13/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:00:00 -0600 In a new recording, conductor Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra touch on three different phases of Sergei Rachmaninoff's career, ranging from the light, experimental work of a composer just coming into his own and culminating in the full symphonic sound of his later years. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/02/06/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 06 Feb 2007 16:00:00 -0600 Why make yet another recording of a warhorse like Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto? Violinist Janine Jansen says every emotion is different each time a piece is performed. She underscores her case with a new CD. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/30/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:00:00 -0600 The virtuosos in the Boston Symphony Chamber players take on music Mozart wrote for some outstanding wind musicians of his day. Julie Amacher says it's a perfect match. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/24/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:05:08 -0600 Soprano Anna Netrebko is newly anointed royalty in the opera world. Her latest recording is a collection of some of the most beautiful songs and arias from the Russian repertoire. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/16/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:00:00 -0600 The second CD by young Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti intrigues the listener with a world premiere and demonstrates her ability to handle one of the great classical standards. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/09/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:00:00 -0600 With his new release, "Dragon Songs," pianist Lang Lang brings his personal foray into Chinese-American cultural exchange full circle. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/01/02/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:00:00 -0600 A Norwegian guitarist, a German chorus and a local orchestra produced Julie Amacher's favorite CDs of 2006. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/12/26/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:00:00 -0600 No matter where you are in the world, the one element common to every holiday celebration is music. Julie Amacher reviews a new recording that features choirs from Cuba, Spain, France, Argentina and other locales. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/12/19/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 19 Dec 2006 13:45:00 -0600 Comfort and joy. Those two words come immediately to Julie Amacher's mind while listening to Anne Sofie von Otter's new recording, "Noel," a collection of diverse carols and songs for the Christmas season. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/12/12/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:45:00 -0600 With intriguing arrangements of interesting carols and a polished quality that may be surprising from a group of volunteer voices, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's new CD could provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of this busy season. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/12/05/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:15:00 -0600 On his latest recording, "My Magic Flute," James Galway celebrates the composer who has been his constant companion since childhood: Mozart. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/11/28/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:53:52 -0600 Great American music to celebrate a great American holiday: Julie Amacher reviews a new Copland collection devoted to works inspired by the spacious American prairie. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/11/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:05:53 -0600 Czech conductor Jiri Belohlavek took the helm of the BBC Symphony Orchestra this past summer. On their first recording, featuring two Dvorak symphonies, he shares his innate knowledge of Czech music with his new ensemble. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/11/14/classical__tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Nov 2006 13:28:02 -0600 Since she was a child, Hilary Hahn has been intrigued by the concept of the violin as a voice. She explores that interest in her newest recording. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/11/07/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Nov 2006 11:47:35 -0600 On their latest release, Andrew Manze and The English Concert perform five orchestral works by Johann Sebastian Bach's gifted son, Carl Philipp Emanuel. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/10/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:30:33 -0500 The Juilliard String Quartet marks its own 60th anniversary and the 100th birthday year of composer Dmitri Shostakovich by releasing a recording of Shostakovich quartets. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/10/10/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:00:12 -0500 On her new recording, "Reflection," French pianist Helene Grimaud digs into the complex, special relationship that developed among three 19th-century musicians--Robert and Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms--and the way it's reflected in their music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/10/03/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 14:45:00 -0500 In a sequel to its top-selling collection of American spirituals, "American Angels," the vocal quartet Anonymous 4 gets help from two musicians known for their contemporary approach to folk-based traditions. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/26/classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 26 Sep 2006 17:35:58 -0500 This month marks the 100th birthday of the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich. Among the recordings marking the anniversary are two CDs that each bear evidence of the composer's struggle to hold onto artistic integrity under Stalin's oppression. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/19/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:30:00 -0500 Violinist Joshua Bell (who's appearing Sept. 14-16 with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra) has just released a new recording called "The Voice of the Violin." In the tradition of violin masters of the past, he's created a collection of encore pieces--music written for the singing voice, newly arranged for his instrument. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/12/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 12 Sep 2006 16:10:00 -0500 At first Anastasia Khitruk thought he must be a contemporary composer who hadn't yet become well-known. Further research identified Ivan Khandoshkin as a musician who served at the imperial court of St. Petersburg, a virtuoso violinist and an accomplished composer who knew how to write challenging, yet entertaining, music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/09/05/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:50:00 -0500 On "World Keys," pianist Joel Fan circumnavigates the musical earth. Seven of the 13 pieces on this recording are world premieres that explore music from Asia, Europe and Australia. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/08/22/classical_tracksfan/?refid=0 Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:56:56 -0500 Last year, while quietly examining manuscripts in the Dresden library, musicologist Janice Stockigt unearthed a score that looked out of place. It turned out to be a long-lost score by Antonio Vivaldi. Classical host Julie Amacher listens to the first recording of the "Dixit Dominus" Psalm. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/08/15/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:59:03 -0500 In a new CD release, Puerto Rican guitarist Eladio Scharron continues his survey of guitar music by early 20th-century Mexican composer Manuel Ponce. Julie Amacher says Scharron produces a warm, inviting tone that makes Ponce's inviting melodies even more memorable. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/08/09/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:00:00 -0500 On her latest recording, violinist Leila Josefowicz commemorates the centenary of Dmitri Shostakovich's birth with two contrasting works. The First Violin Concerto is a 20th-century masterpiece that shines with optimism as it battles its way to eventual victory. The Violin Sonata represents the composer's bitterness after years of working under the repressive Soviet regime. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/07/18/classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:30:49 -0500 "People think that because we are identical [twins] we can play together more easily, but it's actually harder," says Suher Pekinel. She and her sister Guher have been an acclaimed piano duo for more than two decades. Their latest recording features music by two late-19th century composers who doubled as virtuoso pianists. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/07/11/newclassicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 11 Jul 2006 16:20:00 -0500 A new release featuring sonatas and dances from 17th-century Italy and Slovakia performed by the chamber ensemble Teatro Lirico matches the summer spirit perfectly. The music is simple, spacious and stimulating. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/07/05/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Wed, 05 Jul 2006 12:43:40 -0500 The most recent release from Hungarian oboist Lajos Lencses features Baroque concertos by George Frideric Handel and Christoph Forster, accompanied by the Ensemble Instrumental La Follia. You have to be an extreme talent to take on these works, and Lencses is suited up and ready. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/06/27/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 27 Jun 2006 14:31:47 -0500 Edvard Grieg's orchestral music is special because he wrote it reluctantly. He focused on smaller works partly because he thought he lacked mastery of the orchestra and large classical forms. Of the 15 orchestral works Grieg did write, four are on this new disc by conductor Paavo Jarvi. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/06/19/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 14:21:55 -0500 In 1960, Maurizio Pollini won the Sixth International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Now, at age 64, Pollini decided the time was finally right to record Chopin's nocturnes. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/06/06/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:12:12 -0500 The Minnesota Orchestra is in the midst of a five-disc, five-year cycle in which it will record all nine Beethoven symphonies. The first recording in the series, featuring the Fourth and Fifth symphonies, received high marks throughout the music world. Now the pressure is on to repeat that success story with the second installment. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/05/30/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 30 May 2006 14:00:00 -0500 Early 17th-century Florence was home to a musical movement that aimed for a simpler, more expressive sound than the one inherited from the previous century. Norwegian guitarist Rolf Lislevand has just released a recording that features a contemporary re-imagining of this "new music." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/05/23/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 23 May 2006 14:10:12 -0500 It's not easy maintaining a long-term relationship; longevity is the sum of numerous hours, intense energy, and infinite patience. After nearly 30 years, the Emerson String Quartet has managed to master a harmonious musical partnership, beautifully displayed on their new album. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/05/17/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 16 May 2006 18:40:02 -0500 A leading music industry producer has been hired to transform young violinist Nicola Benedetti into a major international superstar without changing her image as a promising young musician. They've collaborated on Benedetti's first CD, a recording of three Romantic concertos. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/05/09/newclassicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 09 May 2006 12:30:05 -0500 On his second solo recording, young Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja explores Italian and French arias. Some are popular favorites and others are forgotten jewels. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/05/01/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Mon, 01 May 2006 15:40:00 -0500 Last May, more than 2,000 lucky ticket holders were on hand for a rare performance of Schubert's piano duets with two world-class performers, James Levine and Evgeny Kissin. With the release of this new, live recording, you can be a witness to that sold-out Carnegie Hall performance too. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/26/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 25 Apr 2006 18:24:54 -0500 At his best, horn virtuoso Barry Tuckwell has a rare combination of big sound and refined technique. As Julie Amacher listened to a new retrospective marking Tuckwell's 75th birthday, she heard these qualities and more. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/18/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:45:00 -0500 Great technical skill is crucial to communicate Mozart's intentions, skill that pianist Piotr Anderszewski has in great abundance. With his simple, personal approach, the playing on his new Mozart CD is clear and clean, but not without passion, matching the character of the music. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/11/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 11 Apr 2006 15:31:17 -0500 The members of the Weilerstein Trio are a close-knit family, making the musical expression on this new CD particularly personal. That's just right for the intimate feelings Dvorak put into these chamber pieces. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/04/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:00:00 -0500 Some of the first music written for the modern flute is featured on a new recording called "Flute Music of the Paris Conservatory." http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/03/28/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 28 Mar 2006 16:31:42 -0600 This new CD connects pianist Lang Lang to music that he strongly associates with his childhood. Some of these works he learned many years ago, and some he remembers first hearing as a child. Lang Lang takes us from thoughtful moments of quiet reflection to radiant displays of virtuosity. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/03/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:45:07 -0600 A young pianist from the Dominican Republic teams up with a Spanish orchestra to play a piece that's got New York written all over it. For Michel Camilo, Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" has opportunity written all over it. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/03/14/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Mar 2006 18:00:00 -0600 Just like the Grand Canal that passes each of the districts in as it twists along the length of Venice, this new recording by La Serenissima takes us on a magical journey through Vivaldi's music for the Chapel of the Pieta. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/03/07/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 18:00:00 -0600 The world was not transformed by the first hearing of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony but over time the piece has come to represent transformation, which is why the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has chosen to record it. This performance is filled with the courage and the passion of these musical ambassadors. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/02/28/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:06:25 -0600 Pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin shows off his technical ability during 10 minutes of athletic pyrotechnics that would easily earn a gold medal. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/02/21/classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:57:16 -0600 If someone asked you to identify a classical trumpeter, whose name would you think of? How about Alison Balsom? Her new recording, featuring works by Bach, makes it clear why she deserves your attention. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/02/14/classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 16:38:27 -0600 Maybe you've heard the old quip that Vivaldi wrote the same concerto 600 times? Flutist Emmanuel Pahud proves that isn't true on a new recording with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/02/07/new_classical_tracks/?refid=0 Tue, 07 Feb 2006 17:17:43 -0600 If you're looking for a recording to improve your midwinter doldrums, this collection of German overtures will do the trick. It reminds classical host Julie Amacher of a big golden book of fairytales that one reads as a child. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2006/01/31_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 31 Jan 2006 17:00:00 -0600 It may seem odd to celebrate Mozart's 250th birthday by talking about death music, but Mozart's "Requiem" is considered to be one on the great masterworks of Western classical music, and the Atlanta Symphony's new recording is worth a listen with fresh ears. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2006/01/24_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:10:00 -0600 They have been married for 38 years, and for most of that time, they've been performing together as a piano duo. That's why it's surprising to discover that Misha and Cipa Dichter have just released their first recording together. It's a three-CD album of the complete piano works for four hands by Mozart. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2006/01/17_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 17 Jan 2006 16:00:00 -0600 This new release features a young German violinist who is being hailed by reviewers as a "full-fledged phenomenal violinist." Julia Fischer tackles some very difficult phrases in the Mozart Violin Concertos 3 and 4. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2006/01/10_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 10 Jan 2006 18:00:00 -0600 Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is a traditional way to ring in the New Year. Why not start 2006 with a new recording of Beethoven piano concertos? http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2006/01/03_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 03 Jan 2006 17:00:00 -0600 Two-hundred-and-fifty years ago music written in 3/4 time from two different cultures collided, creating a new form, the waltz. That story is told by Concerto Koln and Sarband on, "The Waltz – Ecstasy and Mysticism." The waltz became popular in Europe because the dancers whirled and twirled into a state of ecstasy. According to classical host Julie Amacher, this recording may very well have the same effect on you. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/12/28_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Wed, 28 Dec 2005 10:00:00 -0600 If you're looking for a special theme album this holiday season, Grex Vocalis should be on your list. Classical host Julie Amacher explains. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/12/20_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:45:00 -0600 Classical host Julie Amacher reviews a new live recording with Concentus Musicus Wien conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt in surround sound. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/12/13_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:30:00 -0600 Classical host Julie Amacher reviews a new recording of concertos and suites by composer Georg Philip Telemann. Apollo's Fire Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Jeannette Sorrell, brings Telemann's light-hearted nature to the surface with the help of medieval knights, a harlequin, and a family of crickets. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/12/07_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Wed, 07 Dec 2005 11:30:00 -0600 After almost 30 years as one of the top-ranking violin virtuosos of our time, you might think Anne-Sophie Mutter has done it all. Her new recording marks the beginning of a project she's dreamed about since she was 6 years old. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/11/29_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 29 Nov 2005 18:30:00 -0600 Spain has a lengthy reputation for luring artists and musicians to its magical land. In a matter of minutes, classical host Julie Amacher found herself cast under its spell as she listened to "Violonchelo Espanol" by cellist Yuli Turovsky and his group, I Musici de Montreal. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/11/22_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 22 Nov 2005 19:30:00 -0600 This German import features horn sonatas spanning three centuries, starting at the end of the 18th with Beethoven. MPR's classical host Julie Amacher finds the music simple-sounding, yet complex, beautiful, and challenging. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/11/14_newsroom_clasicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 15 Nov 2005 18:33:00 -0600 Conductor Marin Alsop and the London Philharmonic Orchestra continue their crtically acclaimed Brahms series on the Naxos label, and MPR classical host Julie Amacher says this one should be on your holiday shopping list. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/11/08_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Tue, 08 Nov 2005 18:00:00 -0600 Violinist Rachel Barton Pine's new CD is filled with music that taps into the connection between classical music and traditional fiddle tunes that flourished in Scotland. MPR's classical host Julie Amacher tunes in. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/11/01_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Wed, 02 Nov 2005 11:30:00 -0600 Last year marked the 300th anniversary of Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's death in Salzburg. To honor this 17th-century composer, the English Concert and Andrew Manze performed his Missa Christi resurgentis all over the world. MPR's Julie Amacher listens to the recording. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/25_newsroom_classicaltracks/?refid=0 Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:00:00 -0500 New Mozart recordings will be appearing on store shelves in honor of his 250th birth anniversary, but violinist Hilary Hahn is ahead of the pack with this first-rate recording. MPR classical host Julie Amacher explains. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/19_newsroom_newclassical/?refid=0 Wed, 19 Oct 2005 18:00:00 -0500 On their newest release, Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic dish up a healthy portion of Debussy's most popular orchestral works. Mpr's Classical host Julie Amacher sits down enjoy this four course wonder. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/13_amacherj_newtracks/?refid=0 Thu, 13 Oct 2005 18:00:00 -0500 How many recordings of Vivaldi's Four Seasons do you suppose are currently in print? Yet, Dutch violinist Janine Jansen felt she had something new to add to this old chestnut. Classical host Julie Amacher finds this new release a quite surprising. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/04_amacherj_newtracks/?refid=0 Thu, 06 Oct 2005 16:42:00 -0500 Santa is not the only one with his list checked twice. Classical host Julie Amacher shares holiday picks that might help you deck the halls. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/12/14_amacherj_holidaypicks/?refid=0 Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:30:00 -0600 MPR's Julie Amacher discusses the St. John Passion with Bach scholar Thomas Lancaster. http://music.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/0404_stjohnpassion/?refid=0 Thu, 08 Apr 2004 09:00:00 -0500