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.
August 13, 1993 - MPR’s Joelle Audette reports on a week long camp at Hoot Owl Resort in Bemidji, where The Borderline Philharmonic gather and perform every summer.
March 26, 1994 - Pianist Van Cliburn is interviewed by MPR classical host Stephanie Wendt. He talks about his career and has advice for young musicians.
March 31, 1995 - MPR’s John Rabe presents The South Minneapolis Bassoon Quartet, who are promoting their all-bassoon radio station. The group perform various ‘world-premiere’ pieces and discuss the potential programming of “WMBQ” station for elite double reed aficionados.
January 15, 1997 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews local composer Paul Siskind about his composition “Fantasy-Variations.” The piece started off as a music school assignment, and sat on the shelf for a few years. Now the Minnesota Orchestra, under Eiji Oue, will give the world premiere performance of Siskind's “Fantasy-variations : on a fragment by Schoenberg.”
February 7, 1997 - The art of duo-piano playing......two pianists at opposite ends of the stage performing in unison.....takes incredible timing and an intuitive understanding between the two performers. Nowhere is duo-piano playing more popular than Russia, where there's a number of ensembles and an extensive literature of two-piano compositions. Three years ago, sisters Julia and Irina Elkina, one of Russia's more prominent duo-piano teams, immigrated to Minnesota, and now call Minneapolis their home. One advantage they may have over other piano duos, is they also happen to be identical twins. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
May 8, 1997 - RABE INTRO ON ITEM Larry Schoenberg (SHERN-berg), son of composer Arnold Schoenberg, whose Guerre-Lieder (GUR-uh LEE-der) the Minnesota Orchestra is doing Friday and Saturday. If you can't make it to Orchestra Hall, listen to the live broadcast, tomorrow night at eight on the classical music stations of Minnesota Public Radio. Sun 28-MAY 19:39:39 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 12, 1997 - MPR’s John Biewen profiles local composer Randall Davidson and the work of connecting artist with communities. For Davidson, that includes projects involving Hmong community and life stories of St. Paul public housing residents.
June 5, 1997 - An effort is underway in the small north-central Minnesota community of Staples to restore a hidden theater. Built in 1908, Batcher's Opera House is located above a department store-turned-antique shop. History buffs say it provides a rare glimpse into theater in the early 20th century. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
June 11, 1997 - Midday talks with Minnesota Public Radio classical music host Eric Friesen, who is leaving MPR this month. Friesen has accepted a position as a national music host with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto. Listeners call in with questions.
June 18, 1997 - Recently the American pianist Jon Nakamatsu won one of classical music's highest honors, the gold medal at the international Van Cliburn competition in Texas. This once-every-four-years event is one of the most celebrated symbols of classical music, a field that many feel, lately, has little cause for celebration. Brandi Parisi reports.