Since MPR was founded in 1967, our studios have been a regular stop for the world's master musicians, composers, and conductors. The cultural institutions of Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra have provided our community with not only the opportunity to incredible visiting musicians, but also the leadership of classical personalities Bobby McFerrin, Osmo Vanska and Neville Marriner. MPR has strived to preserve many of these local classical moments. As part of that goal, here is a sample collection of unique conversations, occasionally combined with performance broadcasts and reports on the local classical scene.
May 31, 1981 - This program was performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Layton "Skip" James. The pieces performed are: Monteverdi's Symphonia and Ritornello from Orfeo, Albinoni Concerto No.9 in C Major, op.9, from 12 concerti and 5 voices, Boccherini La musica notturna delle strade di Madrid G.324, and Tchaikovsky Serenade for String Orchestra, op.48 (1880). Italian Renaissance and Baroque styles are also discussed.
June 7, 1981 - Featuring Calliope, a Renaissance band:Lucy BardoLawrence BenzAllan DeanBen HarmsDances from the 16th century:Ballet -- Michael PraetoriusBallet -- (violin solo)Ballet -- (recorders)Ballet des coqs (ballet of the chickens)VoltaMusic from Occitania, 12th century:Ab joi mou lo vers e -- Bernart de VentadornCantiga No. 286 -- AnonymousCantiga No. 303 -- AnonymousReis glorios -- Guilart di BorneilhSelections from the Laborde Chansonnier. Burgundian Manuscript copied c. 1470Helas que poura devenir -- Philippe CaronMalheureaux cueur que vieulx tu faire -- Guillaume DufayL'homme banni -- Jacque BaribireauL'homme arme -- TraditionalPar le regard -- Guiliaume DufayLa Disperata (1564) -- Vincenzo RuffoLa Gamba -- Vincenzo RuffoMon ami -- AnonymousDances published by Pierre Attaingnant, 1547PavaneGailliards (2)Bransle simple-Almand
June 21, 1981 - Featuring Lucy Shelton, soprano, and members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra:Timothy Paradise, clarinetLayton James, piano and harpsichordPurcelli: "From Rosy Bow'rs"Villa Lobos: Suite for voice and violinHaydn: London Trio (first movement)Fiocco: Lamentation (secunda)Schubert: Sheperd on the RockSchwantner: Sparrows
July 5, 1981 - Featuring guitarists Sharon Isbin and Jeffrey Van.Domenico Pellegrini: Three piecesBach: Partita in c (transposed lute suite)Domenico Scarlatti: Andante in GFernando Sor: L'EncouragementPaul Fetler: CantilenaJames McGuire: Suite No. 1 in popular style: Prelude, Bittersweet, May Dance, Canzone, Vals Latino.Giolio Regondi: Air and VariationsManuel de Falla: The Magic Circle, Song of Willow O'Wisp, The Miller's Dance from "The Three Cornered Hat"E Granados: Danza Espanola No. 2 "Oriental"
July 19, 1981 - New World String Quartet is made up of Yosef Yankelev and William Patterson on violin, Yuri Vasilaki on viola, and Ross Harbaugh on cello. The pieces they perform on this program are: Haydn Quartet in d minor "Quinten Quartet" op.76, no.2 (1790s), Gerswhin Lullaby (1920), Bartok Quartet No.2, op.17 (1918), and Joplin Paragon Rag (1909). The members discuss communication within the group and how they rehearse.
November 8, 1981 - New Swingle SingersProgram:Bach: Organ Fugue BWV 578Debussy: Claire de LuneMozart: Rondo (Eine Kleine nacht Musik)Rimsky-Korsakov: Flight of the Bumble BeeClaude le Jeune: Revency venir du printempsOrlando di lasso: O la O che buon ecoPassereau: Il est bel et bonFrench folk song: L'Amour de Moi18th century melody: Drink to me only with thine eyesChilean Folk Song: De Punto Y TacoTraditional: Country dancesVaughn Williams: 3 Shakespeare SongsMarlow/Swingle: Come Live with meStevenson/Swingle: RomanceShakespeare/Swingle: It was a lover and his lass
December 20, 1981 - A Christmas program was performed by the Dale Warland Chamber Singers, members of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra string section, and Phillip Brunelle. Pieces performed include: Corelli Christmas Concerto, op.6 no.8 (~1685-1712), Wagner Siegfried Idyll (1870), Bach Magnificat in D Major BWV 243 (1723).
December 27, 1981 - Galliard Battaglia - Samuel ScheidtWilliam Boyce Suite, arr. CableTurkish Rondo - Mozart/arr. FrackenpohlCanzona per Sonore No. 4 - Gabrieli/arr. PageToccata and Fugue in d - Bach/arr. MillsBeatles Medley, arr. Lee NorrisAir on a G String - Bach/arr. Frackenpuhl"Madame Butterfly" - Pucchini/arr. MillsLookin' Good, Feelin' Bad - Waller/arr. HendersonJust a Closer Walk - Traditional/arr. Gillis
May 21, 1987 - MPR’s Beth Friend looks at the seven-year tenure of Pinchas Zukerman, conductor of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Friend interviews members of SPCO about the genius, influential, and sometimes difficult orchestra leader.
May 25, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen interviews renowned classical double bassist James VanDemark about the formation of Upper Midwest Chamber Music Festival being held in Owatonna.