Classical MPR producer Mike Pengra is instrumental in bringing some of the best classical music talent to the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair, so Steve Staruch invites Mike into the studio to talk a bit more about the artists and to play a bit of music.
Classical MPR's State Fair lineup includes previous performers, such as the Minnesota Opera, VocalEssence, the Dolce Wind Ensemble and Minnesota BoyChoir.
A new group, the Saana Ensemble, is a five-voice women's Finnish vocal group, and it joins Classical MPR's State Fair offerings this year. Another newcomer is the MPR Choir, which is composed of people who work in various departments at Minnesota Public Radio. That choir is led by Classical MPR host Mindy Ratner.
Yet one more new group is TreVeld, an ensemble consisting of guitar, violin and bass. Mike discovered this group at Erte Restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis, and he finds they straddle the boundaries between classical and folk music — so much so that Mike includes TreVeld in the rotation on Radio Heartland.
Performances happen every weekday during the State Fair, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the MPR booth, located near the corner of Judson and Nelson.
You can also subscribe to our free State Fair Music newsletter to receive a daily music schedule and other music-related highlights.
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