Founded in 1934, the Smetana Trio enjoys an extensive discography and busy international tour schedule. Current members of the respected Czech chamber ensemble performed live on Impromptu in 2018.
The Smetana Trio
Marilyn Rea Beyer
Marilyn Rea Beyer hosted her first concert in junior high as the school band emcee. She got on board The Midnight Special listening to WFMT as a Chicago teenager. She has had careers in arts education, PR and high tech. In 1995, Marilyn became on-air host and music director at Boston’s premiere folk station, WUMB-FM where she was best known for the …
Reginald R. Robinson, piano [Encore Broadcast]
The story goes that Reginald R. Robinson first heard the sweet strains of ragtime music through the loudspeaker of a neighborhood ice cream truck. Years later, the self-taught pianist and composer received a 2004 “genius” fellowship from the MacArthur Foundation. Reginald Robinson performed some of his original compositions on Impromptu on September 21, 2017
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“Maple Leaf Rag,” by Scott Joplin
Rich Warren retiring as host of WFMT’s The Midnight Special Marilyn Rea Beyer to take over as host on August 1, 2020
WFMT, Chicago’s classical radio station, announced today that longtime program host Rich Warren will retire as host of WFMT’s weekly Saturday evening series THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, a position he has held since 1983. His final program as host will be on July 25, 2020, and Marilyn Rea Beyer will commence hosting The Midnight Special on August 1, 2020. Warren will …
Window To The World Communications, Inc. Names David C. Blowers Board of Trustees Chair
Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent of WTTW and WFMT, announced today that current trustee and Vice Chair David C. Blowers has been selected to serve as Chair of the WTTW | WFMT Board of Trustees for a two-year renewable term effective July 1, 2020. He succeeds 2014-2020 Chair James W. Mabie. Blowers has served as an active …
The Knights [Encore Broadcast]
Back on August 18, 2017, we had to bring in extra music stands, and even considered stretching the walls of the Levin Studio. That’s because the magnificent orchestra, The Knights, returned to WFMT’s Levin Studio to perform live on Impromptu.
Five Wagnerian Tenors
Five tenors who are all acclaimed for their Wagner interpretations. Listen and enjoy Lauritz Melchior, Jon Vickers, Jess Thomas, Ben Heppner and Jonas Kaufmann.
Playlist
“Rienzi’s Prayer” from Rienzi by Richard Wagner
Lauritz Melchior, tenor; Columbia Symphony Orchestra; Erich Leinsdorf, conductor
(New York 194. SONY MH2K 60896)“Winterstürme” from Die Walküre by Richard Wagner
Jon Vickers, tenor; London Symphony Orchestra; Erich Leinsdorf, conductor
(London 1961. DECCA 289 470 443-2)“In fernem Land” from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner
Jess Thomas, tenor; Chorus of The Vienna State Opera The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; Rudolf Kempe, conductor
(Vienna 1962-63. EMI 4 40502 2)“Brünnhilde, heilige Braut!” from Götterdämmerung by Richard Wagner
Ben Heppner, tenor; Dresden Staatskapelle; Peter Schneider, conductor
(Dresden 2005. DGG B0006417-02)“Am stillen Herd” from Die Meistersinger by Richard Wagner
Jonas Kaufmann, tenor; Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin; Donald Runnicles, conductor
(Berlin 2012. DECCA B00018028-02)New Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcast Series to Launch on WFMT on April 7: From the CSO’s Archives: Maestro’s Choice
Featured Programs—Selected by Riccardo Muti—include CSO Concert Programs, CSO Resound Recordings and Performances from the Rosenthal Archives Tuesday Evening Series Represents Cultural and Community Partnership between Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and WFMT, Chicago’s Classical Music Station CHICAGO – April 2, 2020 – The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) and WFMT (Chicago’s Classical Music Station) announce the launch of a six-program Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) radio broadcast series set to begin on Tuesday, April 7 …