MPR’s Garrett McQueen on the intersection of race and classical music

Garrett McQueen
Garrett McQueen, national host/producer of "Music Through the Night" on Classical 24; creator of the podcast Trilloquy
Nate Ryan/MPR

Each of the hosts at Classical MPR recently made a list of his or her 10 favorite musical works. Take a look at those lists, and you’ll find many of the pieces you’d expect: Bach's Goldberg Variations, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 and Stephen Paulus’ “Pilgrim’s Hymn.”

But Garrett McQueen’s list is a little bit different. Pieces by Nina Simone, Duke Ellington and Valerie Coleman are all on it, along with selections of Beyoncé and The Fugees.

McQueen joined Minnesota Public Radio last summer. A classical bassoonist turned radio host, he’s committed to diversity in public radio and classical music. In his new podcast, Trilloquy, he and MPR colleague Scott Blankenship feature stories “from the fringes of classical music.”

McQueen joined Angela Davis to talk about his 10 favorite musical works, his new podcast and the intersection of race and classical music.

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