Minnesota has claim to a wealth of creativity; music is no exception. Almost every genre can be heard within our state’s borders. The results range from a simple act of joy, to an influence that reverberates far beyond (the “Minneapolis Sound” is a prime example). The collection below is an introduction to the diverse and talented artists who have called Minnesota home, and the art they share with all of us.
May 21, 1987 - MPR’s Beth Friend looks at the seven-year tenure of Pinchas Zukerman, conductor of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Friend interviews members of SPCO about the genius, influential, and sometimes difficult orchestra leader.
June 1, 1987 - MPR’s Loren Omoto presents profile on The Beatles “Sergeant Pepper’s Club” album, and it’s influence in the Twin Cities. MPR’s Jim Bickal talks with Rod Eaton, drummer of T.C. Atlantic, who shares how that Beatles album affected the “The Minneapolis Sound” in the late sixties.
June 20, 1987 - MPR’s Mark Hesitad talks with organist Karl Eilers about playing the Mighty Wurlitzer at World Theater. Segment includes Eilers performing examples of music set to film.
July 11, 1987 - Roger Dumas, owner of Roger Dodger Music, discusses the art and sounds behind use of a synthesizer and digital sampler.
August 22, 1987 - A profile and interview with Minneapolis composer Herb Pilhofer. Once a part of a trio at Herb’s in the 1950’s and musical director at the Guthrie Theater in the 1960’s, Pilhofer now scores for advertisements.
September 5, 1987 - Philip Nusbaum profiles traditional fiddler Gilmore Lee, who became enamored with French style fiddling while growing up in northern Minnesota. Lee describes his passion for the music and performs short music pieces.
September 10, 1987 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on a tour of Prince’s Paisley Park by visiting foreign officials as a way to promote the Twin Cities.
October 24, 1987 - MPR’s Mark Heistad reports on "Kinder Koncert," a Minnesota Orchestra performance focused on bringing classical music to children. Reports features interviews with musicians Adele Lorraine and Edward Stack; and composer Dan Sturm on the premiere of his composition, "The Grandfather Tree".
May 12, 1988 - MPR’s Euan Kerr interviews acoustic guitarist Pat Donahue and singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman as they get ready to attend 1988 Minnesota Music Awards. Donahue and Himmelman share their thoughts about the coming out of the Minnesota music scene.
May 21, 1988 - A profile of the 1960s’ band The Gestures. Dale Menten, guitarist of the band, talks about the history of the band and his later career in advertising jingles. The Mankato band was famous for the song "Run, Run, Run."