Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food and Gratitude

"Giving Thanks" offers a contemporary celebration of gratitude, with classical music and stories of Thanksgiving.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on the Feast Day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music! Host John Birge is using the occasion to invite one of the world's most treasured composers to the table.

John Rutter is a choral music icon, and his new piece for VocalEssence gives thanks for the joy of music. Audiences will hear the world premiere of Rutter's "When Music Sounds," and how gratitude inspires him.

Conductor Nic McGegan will share an 18th-century recipe for St. Cecilia punch to liven up any Thanksgiving celebration, and we'll revisit the poetry of former "Giving Thanks" guest and American Poet Laureate Donald Hall, who passed away this year.

"Giving Thanks" is new for 2018, but continues a tradition: a spellbinding story from actor Charles Laughton, giving thanks for art that connects us all to the creative spirit.

Host: John Birge is the morning host on Classical Minnesota Public Radio. He's been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 30 years.