September 18, 2003 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews Bruce Coppock, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra president and managing director, about SPCO program highlighting "degenerate" music from the Nazi era.
September 18, 2003 - MPR's Stephanie Curtis reports that the Minnesota Orchestra is celebrating its centennial year with its new music director, Osmo Vänskä , finally in place. He is the orchestra's tenth music director and like others, he will be compared with his predecessors. Some critics say they hope the orchestra doesn't repeat mistakes made when it appointed Eiji Oue as music director.
September 18, 2003 - On his 80th birthday, former Minnesota Governor Al Quie joins MPR Midday host Gary Eichten to discuss his life and political career. Quie was governor from 1979 through 1982. Quie, a Republican, represented southeastern Minnesota in Congress for 21 years, and served one term in the Minnesota Senate.
September 29, 2003 - All Things Considered’s David Molpus talks with MPR’s Laura McCallum, who is traveling with Governor Tim Pawlenty delegation on a trade mission in Canada. Pawlenty is trying to push Minnesota to pursue research partnerships and business opportunities with Quebec. The governor met with Montreal Premier Jean Charest.
September 30, 2003 - The Minnesota Twins used strong pitching and good fielding to take the first game of their playoff series with the New York Yankees. The Twins' 3-1 victory in New York was their first victory over the Yankees in more than two years, and it got them off to a good start in their best-of-five first round series. MPR's William Wilcoxen joins All Things Considered host David Molpus to share details.
October 21, 2003 - MPR Classical host, Mindy Ratner talks with Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman while he is in St. Paul to play at the Shubert Club, his first Minnesota concert in over a decade. Perlman discusses how even after four decades as a top international performer, the music still moves him.
October 24, 2003 - No one's ever performed the entire “Piece Symphonique,” composed by Jean Langlais. MPR’s Chris Julin reports that is changing, with a world premier in Minnesota. The composer's widow is a concert organist and she has performances in Duluth and Minneapolis of the work.
October 31, 2003 - Cellist Matt Haimovitz talks with MPR’s John Birge on performing classical music in alternative venues. Haimovitz, known for being well-versed in Bach, has recently been focused on contemporary work. He is performing a Halloween concert at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis.
October 31, 2003 - Charlie Weaver, Governor Pawlenty's chief of staff, is stepping down to become the head of the Minnesota Business Partnership, an association of chief executives from Minnesota's 100 largest companies. Weaver says the opportunity was one he couldn't pass up.
November 7, 2003 - On this hour of Midday, host Gary Eichten talks with William McGuire, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group, about healthcare reform and what could happen in Minnesota. McGuire discusses healthcare resources and defining ‘essential’ healthcare.