Classical Music from Minnesota Public Radio

New Classical Tracks: A piano concerto by a veteran of classic rock

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -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.

New Classical Tracks: The King's Singers cover Billy Joel, Sting, and James Taylor

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:46:23 -0500

In "Simple Gifts," the King's Singers bring their signature a cappella sound to songs like Helplessly Hoping and She's Always a Woman. It's a successful venture into a fraught category -- crossover.

A sesquicentennial choral tour of Minnesota

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:01:00 -0500

Audiences at the State Fair on Saturday can tour Minnesota through choral music. Six choirs from around Minnesota will perform specially commissioned music reflecting the diverse histories, landscapes and people of the state.

New Classical Tracks: Percy Grainger's 'Chosen Gems'

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:52:53 -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.

New Classical Tracks: Bright and buoyant Mozart

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:06:51 -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.

Bringing Brahms to lakes festival

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0500

The Alexandria Festival of the Lakes opens on Friday with a concert celebrating the 175th anniversary of Brahms' birth. A few of the participating musicians stopped by Minnesota Public Radio for a sampling.

New Classical Tracks: Evocations of Argentina

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:43:15 -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.

Summer for the symphony

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:10:22 -0500

What do the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra during their summer vacations? Some play in festivals at scenic locales. Others ride horses and motorcycles. And some just take a break from music.

New Classical Tracks: Dances with Irresistible Latin Flair

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:42:47 -0500

After making a splash with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra recordings of Beethoven and Mahler, Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel follows up with something a little spicier.

New Classical Tracks: The allure and the thrill of Chopin

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -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.

150 years of glee

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:55:44 -0500

Minnesota isn't alone in celebrating a 150th birthday this year. The Harvard Glee Club was also born in 1858. America's oldest college choir stopped by Minnesota Public Radio for a sampling of a few songs from the group's sesquicentennial tour.

Minnesota International Piano e-Competition

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:05:06 -0500

If you have a fondness for piano music -- perhaps you play or once did, or maybe you're the parent of a budding young musician -- you might want to carve out some time this afternoon to catch the Semi-Final Round of the Minnesota International e-Piano Junior Competition. The first e-Comp took place in 2002 and has occurred every two years since, just like the Olympics. And, like this year's Olympic athletes, these musicians are from all over the world and playing at the top of their game.

Former SPCO head leaves behind a stronger orchestra

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The SPCO celebrates its 50th anniversary this fall. Longtime president Bruce Coppock reflects on how the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra remade itself in the face of challenges that have threatened bigger orchestras.

New Classical Tracks: 'Bad boy violinist discovers the joy of Mozart

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:40:20 -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.

New Classical Tracks: Revisiting a master of light music

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:45:30 -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.