Since MPR was founded in 1967, our studios have been a regular stop for the world's master musicians, composers, and conductors. Additionally, in partnership with Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, MPR has recorded interviews and performances with many incredible visiting musicians and leaders in the classical music world, such as Bobby McFerrin, Osmo Vänskä, and Neville Marriner, to name a few. The Archive at MPR has preserved these interviews to make them accessible to you. Enjoy this collection which includes unique conversations occasionally combined with performance broadcasts and reports on the local classical scene.
July 16, 1972 - MPR Classical Host Michael Barone interviews Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. They discuss various composers, classical pieces, and Skrowaczewski’s own compositions.
March 2, 1973 - An excerpt Aaron Copland talking about his history as a composer and Guggenheim Foundation helping propel his career. This was part of larger interview MPR’s Connie Goldman did with Copeland as they ate at local diner.
March 15, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman sits down with composer Aaron Copland for conversation at a local diner. In between food and drink, Goldman asks Copland about conducting, his film scores, time overseas, and his youth.
March 23, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman profiles The Minnesota Bach Society as it prepares to perform its creation 'A Lighthearted Evening with the Bach Family,' a novelty concert featuring humorous music that has mostly not been sung.
April 6, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman talks with Steven Rumph, Canadian harpsichordist, who is touring in the Twin Cities. As part of his visit, Rumph stops by a Robbinsdale school to give lecture-demonstration on virginal and harpsichord to 5 and 6-year-olds.
April 6, 1973 - MPR’s Connie Goldman looks at the Orff Music Education System, a music educator organization founded in 1968 to promote the philosophy of Carl Orff, German contemporary composer and educator. The Orff approach promotes children using special instruments to make music their own way. Lynne Wagenholt, a teacher, explains the system
June 22, 1973 - MPR’s Lawrence Dulcie reports on groundbreaking for Orchestra Hall. Segment features Minneapolis Mayor Charles Stenvig, Councilman John S. Pillsbury Jr., former Governor Elmer L. Andersen and Maestro Stanislaw Skrowaczewski.
October 18, 1973 - MPR’s Dulcie Lawrence interviews violinist Charles Treger, who talks about competition, Polish audiences, playing with Stanisław Skrowaczewski, and the difficulty of Joachim’s Violin Concerto in D minor.
October 18, 1973 - A plaza may surround the Minnesota Orchestra Concert Hall building now being built. The Peavey company is giving money towards this project, which will be eventually be called the Peavey Park Plaza. The concert hall will finish being constructed first, and is scheduled to open in October 1974. Donald P. Engle, President of the Minnesota Orchestral Association, says he can see possibilities for presenting summer concerts in this space.
October 23, 1973 - MER’s Dennis Rooney interviews Joseph Roche, a member of Minnesota Orchestra, about the death and legacy of Pablo Casals. Roche shares experience of being a part of Casals Festival.