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Music

Classical music seeks new audiences

Classical music seeks new audiences

Classical music permeates the air at this time of year, with all those Messiahs and Nutcrackers. Some believe the classical music world isn't capable of creating new great works or attracting bigger audiences. Performance Today host Fred Child offers his perspective on the controversy.

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Small size, big voice

Small size, big voice

St. Paul songwriter and musician Mayda emerges with a big voice, big ideas and the guidance of drummer-to-the-stars and impresario Michael Bland.
by Chris Roberts

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The sound of Wendy

The sound of Wendy

When the Ordway Center in St. Paul, Minn., announced recently that Wendy Knox would be directing the holiday production of "The Sound of Music," it raised a lot of eyebrows - including her own.
by Euan Kerr and Michael Barone

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New Classical Tracks: Contemporary carols with a familiar ring

New Classical Tracks: Contemporary carols with a familiar ring

Every era makes its contribution to the tradition of Christmas music. On a new disc, "Karolju," David Zinman presents Christmas pieces that use 20th century sounds to evoke familiar moods.
by Julie Amacher

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VocalEssence introduces celestial carols

VocalEssence introduces celestial carols

Since 1998, VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum have sponsored the Welcome Christmas! Carol Contest. This year composers were invited to write carols for chorus and the bell-like sounds of the celesta. Two winners talked with MPR's John Birge about the challenge of writing new music for Christmas.
by John Birge

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Songs of the season

Songs of the season

Philip Brunelle, founder and director of the choral group VocalEssence, talks about the history behind holiday music. He performs a few beloved carols and one or two pieces that for one reason or another don't make anyone's top 10 list. He's joined by 12 VocalEssence singers.

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Piccolo player takes center stage

Piccolo player takes center stage

Roma Duncan Kansara steps out of the Minnesota Orchestra flute section this week to solo in a Vivaldi piccolo concerto. MPR's Brian Newhouse spoke with Kansara on the Orchestra Hall stage, about this music, her instrument, and playing while pregnant.
by Brian Newhouse

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St. Olaf Christmas Festival goes national

St. Olaf Christmas Festival goes national

The St. Olaf Choir is ramping up their Christmas Festival tradition to high definition this year. For the first time the choir will be transmitting the sights and sounds of the show to movie theaters across the country.

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