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
March 6, 2002 - MPR Classical Music Host Lynn Warfel-Holt interviews Thomas Rossin, music director of Twin Cities based group Exultate, about Johann Sebastian Bach’s personal bible. Rossin has been studying the book for insights into Bach, the musician, and the spiritual man.
March 21, 2002 - MPR’s Cara Hetland interviews conductor Leonard Slatkin about National Symphony Orchestra’s residency in South Dakota. In ten days, orchestra members performed more than 100 times. Slatkin explains the lessons on the value of music that the efforts offer, especially for children.
March 22, 2002 - MPR's Cara Hetland reports on The National Symphony Orchestra as it concludes its 10-day residency in South Dakota. The 202 musicians in the orchestra visit one state a year to share their talent and passion for music with teachers, students and fellow musicians. The National Symphony Orchestra crammed nearly 120 events and concerts into a schedule that took the musicians to all parts of the state.
May 2, 2002 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Midori Gotō, one of the world's most accomplished violinists. She says she is looking forward to performing Barber's violin concerto with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
May 23, 2002 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews writer Garrison Keillor, about the writing libretto for the opera "Mr. and Mrs. Olson." The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and a star studded ensemble will present the world premiere of opera.
June 7, 2002 - The June edition of MPR's Voices of Minnesota series, featuring Alexander Braginsky of the ePiano competition, and St. Olaf Choir Director Anton Armstrong. MPR’s Dan Olson presents profiles and interviews of the two artists.
August 2, 2002 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on some of the best singers in the world heading to Minnesota, as the Twin Cities hosts the triennial World Choral Symposium. It's the first time the event has ever been held in the U.S. For a week, over a thousand singers, from more than 50 countries will attend workshops and perform numerous free concerts.
August 16, 2002 - On Word of Mouth, MPR’s Chris Roberts provides a radio guide to the local arts. This episode includes Chamber Music Society of MN, Roman Polanski retrospective, all things Finnish folk, Christ Church Lutheran, Blood Money, and an arts round-up..
October 16, 2002 - The clanging of cowbells, swaying prairie grass and plows cutting deep into the earth may not sound like music to your ears, but to St. Paul composer Steve Heitzeg these sounds have all the makings of a great symphony. MPR’s Lorna Benson talks with the Heitzeg about his composition.
December 5, 2002 - Classical MPR’s Mindy Ratner talks with 11-year-old Nathaniel Irvin of Maple Grove, who has the the title role in Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” performed by the Minnesota Orchestra with the James Sewell Ballet.