April 21, 2016 - MPR’s Matt Sepic gets reaction from local Prince fans upon the news of musician’s unexpected death. The Minnesota-born international superstar whose sound revolutionized pop music and put the Minneapolis scene on the map, was found dead earlier in the morning at his Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen.
April 21, 2016 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with The Current’s Andrea Swensson, who describes the scene at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen after the death of Prince at his home complex. There is a miles-long traffic jam leading to his studio and regular concert venue.
April 21, 2016 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews songwriter Jimmy Jam about the death of music genius Prince. Jimmy Jam shares reflections on Prince and his legacy.
April 21, 2016 - The Current Local Show host Jade Tittle checks in with The Current’s Andrea Swensson at Paisley Park, who verifies on-air that Prince has died. A heart-broken Swensson shares a brief personal account of the musician.
April 22, 2016 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with The Current’s Andrea Swensson about her personal interactions, memories, and thoughts on the life and music legacy of Prince.
April 22, 2016 - MPR’s Euan Kerr looks back at the career of the famed Minnesota musician Prince, who passed away April 21st, 2016. In profile, Kerr interviews numerous individuals who knew him, worked with, and appreciated the musical genius.
December 19, 2016 - Composers Notebook host John Zech highlights composer Wendy Carlos’ musical development for Stanley Kubrick’s film A Clockwork Orange. As in his earlier hit, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick used classical music. This time, however, in keeping with the film's futuristic storyline, the classics were adapted and arranged for Moog synthesizer by Carlos.
December 27, 2017 - MPR News with Tom Weber presents a full program dedicated to James "Cornbread" Harris, Sr. Earlier in 2017, the 90-year-old rock 'n' roll pioneer (also known as Jimmy "Jam" Harris, Jr.'s dad) visited The Current's studios to record an in-studio session with Local Show host Andrea Swensson and MPR News host Tom Weber to kick off their Summer Music Series. Program includes song performances and sharing stories of his life and career.
August 15, 2020 - When a flying saucer circled over Washington, DC, in the classic 1951 sci-fi film The Day the Earth Stood Still, it did so to music played on an electronic instrument known as the “Theremin.” On this episode of Composer’s Datebook, a look back at its Russian inventor, Leon Theremin.
December 20, 2023 - Synthesizers are revolutionary instruments, using knobs, buttons, and sliders to make different sound. You can hear them in all sorts of music, from pop to hip-hop. But that wasn’t always the case. APM’s Forever Ago explores the history of these electronic devices.