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 highlights and excerpts, as well as reports on the local classical scene.
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary or created after 2005 can be found on our main content pages of YourClassical MPR and MPR News
November 4, 1999 - Over 200 mandolin players from North America and Europe are in Minneapolis to attend annual convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America. Jack El-Hai formed the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra in 1991, and talks with MPR’s Bob Potter about mandolins.
September 20, 2000 - Famed classical pianist Fou Ts'ong visits the Minnesota Public Radio studios to play and to talk to MPR Classical Music Host Tom Crann. Fou Ts'ong discusses his touring program, entitled "Chinese Poetry, Western Music," and the connection between music and words in his work.
October 23, 2000 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the announcement of Andreas Delfs as the new Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra music director. Delfs replaces the recently departed Hugh Wolff.
November 23, 2000 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Irish virtuoso flute player James Galway. The two discuss conductor Herbert von Karajan, religious aspects of Mozart compositions, challenges as a conductor, and Galway’s personal success.
January 25, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Minnesota guitarist Sharon Isbin about her album "Dreams of a World: Folk-Inspired Music for Guitar," which is Grammy-nominated in the best solo instrumentalist category.
February 8, 2001 - MPR Classical Music Host Tom Crann interviews John Adams, one of the best known living American composers. Adams returns to St. Paul to conduct his own work, and some of the work that he says has inspired him over the years. John Adams will lead The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as it plays works by Debussy, Satie Ravel, and his own Violin Concerto.
February 19, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil interviews American composer Maria Schneider, who has been nominated for her jazz orchestral album "Allegresse." Scheinder grew up in Windom in the southwest part of the state. She reflects on how she first got into music.
February 26, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Bruce Coppock, managing director of the SPCO, about conductor Bobby McFerrin leaving The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. McFerrin took the SPCO job in 1994, signing on for a two year contract after visiting the orchestra to conduct. Those two years turned into seven, and now McFerrin's ready to pursue other projects.
May 24, 2001 - A profile on Finnish conductor Osmo Vänskä, who has been named new music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. Report contains various commentaries and interviews about the conductor and his leadership style.
May 25, 2001 - Word of Mouth Host Chris Roberts talks with Osmo Vänskä, the Minnesota Orchestra's new music director. Osmo Vanska, of Finland, says he's honored to have been chosen to lead what he called one of the great orchestras in the world. He says one of his primary goals is to build a team spirit and intimacy among musicians to engender a feeling and sound closer to a chamber ensemble, than a huge symphony orchestra.