Classical Minnesota Stories

The University of Minnesota marshaled its musical forces Sunday for Lest We Forget, a concert to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I. Listen now to the concert, including the U.S. premiere of 'The Great War Symphony.'

The Together in Hope Project seeks to bridge the divide between Lutherans and Catholics through the power of music. Having caught the eye of the Vatican, a group of Minnesotans recently traveled to Italy for a historic concert.

Twin Cities women's vocal ensemble Lumina performs music for people in need. Its new recording,'Light in the Darkness,' is being made free to those in hospice care and for hospice patients' friends and families.

The University of Minnesota Singers will perform 'The Call' this Sunday, Oct. 28, a new, cross-genre collaboration from English countertenor Ryland Angel and veteran Wilco guitarist Nels Cline inspired by the spirit of community and cooperation. The concert, held at Ted Mann Concert Hall, will be free and open to the public.

This weekend, the Minnesota Orchestra kicks off a new season of films in concert with a performance of 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' live at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Conductor Sarah Hicks describes the complicated process of bringing these unique cinematic-musical experiences to the stage.

After three years of restoration and decades of disrepair, the magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium will sing again in concerts this weekend with Grammy-winning organist Paul Jacobs and the Minnesota Orchestra. Hear them live at 8 p.m. Friday on Classical MPR.

'Music with movement, dance and praising' -- that's gospel music. Twin Cities audiences will have an opportunity to taste the gospel spirit in 'The Sound of Gospel,' a musical extravaganza open to the public that will launch the National Baptist Convention on Sept. 3 in Minneapolis.

The MNKINO Film Score Fest helps prospective filmmakers overcome the obstacles of producing a film by pairing them with composers in a fun and unconventional way. Watch the results on Saturday, July 28, at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Music therapy is a growing discipline that centers on the use of music, scientific research and clinical experience by a certified therapist to help achieve a nonmusical outcome. Twin Cities music therapists offer insights into the importance of music therapy as a way to treat people of all ages and conditions.

Fitness, like classical music, is very important to Minnesota meteorologist Sven Sundgaard and part of his evening routine. He has run 11 full marathons. For ones where he's allowed music, he jokes about reaching the final stretch and needing only an energy gel pack and some Bach to "remind us we're mortals."