Composers have reflected on themes of love in their music pretty much for as long as music has existed. This week on Learning to Listen, we're going to hear music that reflects ideas of romance or love as Valentine's Day approaches.
Men's vocal ensemble Cantus join host Alison Young for an hour of music and conversation in celebration of Valentine's Day. Through their music, Cantus give voice to that familiar kind of love we celebrate on this day while also broadening that definition through their songs and personal reflections.
Alison Young leads a double life as one of our classical hosts and as a long-distance backpacker. As she takes a leave of absence to hike New Zealand's version of the Appalachian Trail, she shares the influence of classical music on her five-month, 1,800-mile trek.
Lonnie Dupre is a Minnesota legend who loves classical music. It keeps him focused, calm, centered, brave and empowered -- and you need every single one of those feelings if you're planning to travel across the North Pole in summer, or circumnavigate Greenland by kayak, or climb Denali all alone in the darkest time of year.
Michael Barone, host of 'Pipedreams' and Classical MPR's in-house organ expert, offers an insider's view of the stunning 7,000-pipe Aeolian-Skinner organ at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium. Join him Saturday to hear it at two free events.
The Minnesota Orchestra opens its 2018-2019 season with music from Joan Tower, Aaron Copland and a Brahms concerto performed by pianist Emanuel Ax. Listen to the concert live on Classical MPR at 8 p.m. Friday, hosted by Alison Young.
Jeremy Denk plays one of his favorite pieces, Beethoven's 'Emperor Concerto,' this weekend with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Find out why the pianist loves the work so much and hear his performance Saturday night during Classical MPR's live broadcast of the SPCO's season-opening concert.
The latest Picnic Operetta production, 'Dr. Falstaff and the Working Wives of Lake County,' brings together music, food and the environment in a modern rendition of Otto Nicolai's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor.' It also includes music by Bruce Springsteen.
Minnesota-born pianist Kenny Broberg has a remarkable attitude toward his musical career and performance routine for such a young man. He chats with us before his debut Tuesday night at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, which you can hear live on Classical MPR.
Find out why Beethoven is the 'most impactful and meaningful' to Joshua Bell as you listen to the superstar violinist's 2017 performance at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival.
This Saturday at 8 p.m., join Alison Young on Classical MPR for our live broadcast of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, featuring compositions by American composer Hannah Lash, Igor Stravinsky and more.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain has been "often imitated, never replicated." Alison Young caught up with a member from the quirky band of eight entertainers before their sold-out concert Saturday night at St. John's University in Collegeville.
This year, the Upper Midwest Flute Association will invite a "world flutist," Grammy winner Rhonda Larson, as its guest artist for Flute Fest 2018 on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Rene Clausen composed his commissioned 'Passion' to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Concordia College in Moorhead, as well as the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Listen to Clausen's work performed by the Concordia Orchestra, voice faculty and four choirs.
Join Alison Young in celebrating Easter with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's performance of Handel's 'Messiah,' a piece who's message continues to resonate nearly 300 years later.
Pianist Jonathan Biss is back in St. Paul for a sort of Beethoven banquet with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, with four concerts that begin Thursday and culminate Saturday night with a live broadcast on Classical Minnesota Public Radio.
Minnesota has been a place of refuge for immigrants from the earliest days of statehood. The stories of arriving in this place are often poignant. One Voice Mixed Chorus has taken those tales and weaved them into a concert presentation called "Sanctuary."
It's a little cold out there, eh? So the time is ideal to survey the best classical works for winter. No matter how frigid it gets outside, these dozen frosty concoctions are sure to warm your musical heart.
'The Nutcracker' sets the scene and the tone for the holiday season. Alison Young presents the Berlin Philharmonic's performance of Tchaikovsky's work and talks about its accompanying dance with Ballet Minnesota Artistic Director Andrew Rist.
The members of Cantus, one of the premier men's vocal ensembles, talk with host Alison Young about the holiday, about sitting down with those we love and celebrating all the blessings in our lives.