As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, WRTI will be right there with you, serving up the perfect soundtrack for your entire day of festivities.
Rise and shine on turkey day with Josh Jackson from 6 to 10 a.m. as he shares a cornucopia of Thanksgiving favorites, including beautiful Americana by Copland, Hailstork, Barber, and Jay Ungar; music to inspire gratitude by Grieg, William Billings, and Bach; and even a pair of turkey-themed pieces by Chabrier and Bernstein!
Josh will also conduct his annual Turkey Tally on Thanksgiving morning, sharing a definitive count of how WRTI listeners are preparing their birds this year, and giving you the chance to learn about their Thanksgiving recipes and traditions.
Tell us your Thanksgiving traditions, and take part in the Turkey Tally!
Next, Melinda Whiting continues our musical feast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 (including its famous evocation of the shepherds' thanksgiving at the bounty of nature), Dvorak's New World Symphony, and Gershwin's Catfish Row suite from Porgy and Bess, along with other American favorites by Elmer Bernstein, Amy Beach, and John Williams.
These Thanksgiving specials will fill your home with warm and wonderful music:
Songs of Thanks – 2 to 3 p.m.
Join us for an innovative new production by Cantus, presented by Minnesota Public Radio. Through their signature narrative programming, the acclaimed octet will weave together stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community. Don't miss this special broadcast, designed to uplift the human spirit and honor the season.
The American Sound: This Land – 3 to 4 p.m.
This land, the physical land called the United States of America, is home to people of a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, races, creeds and genders. Join host Jennifer Hambrick for a musical celebration of the diversity of this land – the varied natural topographies and biospheres, and the many communities that make this land exceptionally rich.
The American Sound: Seed and Soil – 4 to 5 p.m.
Thanksgiving has always been closely tied to the land, as a celebration of gratitude for abundant harvest. Join host Jennifer Hambrick for another hour of glorious American music that celebrates America’s beautiful and bountiful land.
Every Good Thing – 5 to 6 p.m.
Host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take time to give thanks and celebrate one of life's most meaningful gifts: music. It’s an hour of stories and music to celebrate Thanksgiving.
From everyone at WRTI, we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We're grateful for being able to be with you on Thanksgiving, and every day of the year!
Want more music for Thanksgiving? Check out our Warm and Wonderful Classical and Jazz Thanksgiving playlist on Spotify!