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
September 8, 1986 - This Midday call-in program features a conversation between MPR’s Beth Friend and Edo de Waart, music director at the Minnesota Orchestra. The two discuss de Waart’s first season as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra. Edo de Waart also answers listener questions about the new season, challenges in the classical music industry, and instrumentation.
December 29, 1986 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports on the impact taking place with the Minnesota Orchestra as the organization experiences first season with Edo de Waart as music director. The conductor hopes to win over audiences with programs that highlight contemporary classical compositions, not only centuries old works.
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.
October 24, 1987 - MPR’s Mark Heistad reports on "Kinder Koncert," a Minnesota Orchestra performance focused on bringing classical music to children. Reports features interviews with musicians Adele Lorraine and Edward Stack; and composer Dan Sturm on the premiere of his composition, "The Grandfather Tree".
July 26, 1989 - On this Midday program, conductor Leonard Slatkin, who is concluding his tenure as artistic director of the Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest, has a conversation with MPR’s Bob Potter and answers listener questions about his approach to music making.
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.
July 9, 1990 - On this hour of Midday, Michael Steinberg, artistic director of the Minnesota Orchestra Sommerfest; and his wife Jorja Fleezanis, a concertmaster, take listener's questions about Sommerfest in Minneapolis.
July 19, 1991 - MPR’s Mindy Ratner interviews local composer Steve Heitzeg on Georgia O'Keeffe.
March 27, 1992 - MPR’s Stephen Smith talks with composer Robert Moran about his operatic work “From the Towers of the Moon.” Moran promotes the idea of children operas. Piece also includes interview clips of soprano Elisabeth Como and composer John Adams.
May 8, 1992 - MPR’s Mark Heistad does a phone interview with Andy Vores, a Welsh classical music and opera composer whose has been named Composer-in-Residence at Bemidji State University.