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Music

A brassy Christmas

A brassy Christmas

The Twin Cities' Summit Hill Brass Quintet has a new CD for the holidays, "Christmas up North." The group stopped by Minnesota Public Radio's studios for a chat with host John Birge, and to play new arrangements of Christmas music from the CD.
by John Birge

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Cantus & Theater Latte Da - All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

Cantus & Theater Latte Da - All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914

Imagine putting your rifle down, climbing out of the safety of your trench, and walking across No Man's Land to deliver the gift of song -- to your enemy. Minneapolis-based men's choir, Cantus, and Theater Latte Da perform a new radio drama based on the Christmas truce of 1914.
by Brian Newhouse

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Look ma, no valves

Look ma, no valves

David Kjar's 18th century "natural" trumpet has no valves to help him find the notes. He changes the pitch and volume by his lips. The Minnesota native is back home for performances with Lyra Baroque. He stopped by Minnesota Public Radio for a chat with host Steve Staruch and gave some some examples of virtuosity on this challenging instrument.
by Steve Staruch

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New Classical Tracks: Chanticleer celebrates

New Classical Tracks: Chanticleer celebrates

The men's chorus Chanticleer has made several acclaimed Christmas recordings. Their newest, just released, tips the hat toward pop music, gospel, and jazz.
by Julie Amacher

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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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