WFMT: Critical Thinking

Critic's Choice: Back From Norway

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:19:09 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world.

Critic's Choice: Postcard from Norway

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:05:44 -0500

06-24-09: Yefim Bronfman (Rebroadcast)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:01:59 -0500

Andrew's guest is Tashkent-born pianist Yefim Bronfman. Bronfman has two appearances coming up at Ravinia Festival: On Sunday July 5th at 5:00pm he joins Pinchas Zukerman and the Zukerman Chamber Players in the Martin Theatre for the first Mozart Piano Quartet and the great Schumann Piano Quintet. On Tuesday night July 7 at 8:00pm, Mr. Bronfman is the soloist in the Brahms Second Piano Concerto for the first Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert of Ravinia 2009. James Conlon conducts. This repeat broadcast was recorded with Yefim Bronfman in Chicago last fall when he was appearing with the CSO at Orchestra Hall.

Critic's Choice: George Mitchell Williams (1935-2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:27:11 -0500

06-15-09: Leon Fleisher (legendary pianist)

dpolk@wfmt.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:23:57 -0500

Piano legend Leon Fleisher spends a portion of each summer on the faculty of Ravinia Festival's Steans Institute for Young Artists and he often graces the public with some performances as well. On Tuesday June 30 at 2 p.m. he will conduct a Steans master class in Bennett•Gordon Hall that is free and open to the public. And on Thursday July 2 Mr. Fleisher "and friends" will perform chamber works by Haydn and Mendelssohn as well as the Brahms C Major Piano Trio, No.2, Op. 87, in Ravinia's Martin Theatre at 8 p.m.

In anticipation of Leon Fleisher's Ravinia appearances we present a rebroadcast of one of our most requested programs, an interview with Leon Fleisher recorded in the spring of 2007 when the pianist and teacher received the Dushkin Award from the Music Institute of Chicago.

Critic's Choice: Greek

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:25:58 -0500

06-08-09: Janine Jansen (Dutch violinist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:12:36 -0500

Andrew's guest is Dutch violinist Janine Jansen who finished her run with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Orchestra Hall as part of the Dvorak Festival.

Critic's Choice: Seeing Is Believing

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:26:09 -0500

06-01-09: Ange Mlinko (Poet and Poetry Critic)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:50:39 -0500

Andrew talks with poet and critic Ange Mlinko who last month was named winner of the third Randall Jarrell Award in Poetry Criticism from the Chicago-based Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine.

05-25-09: Fanny Howe (Poet)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:30:55 -0500

Andrew talks with poet and essayist Fanny Howe, recipient of the 2009 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from The Poetry Foundation, publishers of Poetry magazine.

05-18-09: Musical Musings For May

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:49:48 -0500

Andrew presents a program of "Musical Musings for May."

Critic's Choice: Oh No Video!

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:58:57 -0500

05-11-09: Neil Harris (Historian, Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:01:13 -0500

The second of a two-part conversation with University of Chicago historian Neil Harris about his new book, "The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age," published by The University of Chicago Press.

Critic's Choice: Leon Despres

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:56:39 -0500

05-04-09: Christianne Stotijn (Mezzo-soprano)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:23:56 -0500

Andrew's guest is Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn, who was in town recently to perform Mahler's Rückert-Lieder with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Bernard Haitink.

Critic's Choice: Buildings or Gum Wrappers

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:51:35 -0500

04-27-09: Beryl Satter (Author) (Rebroadcast from April 13, 2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:29:44 -0500

Andrew's guest is Beryl Satter, author of the new book Family Properties: Race, Real Estate, and The Exploitation of Black Urban America--on a neglected period of Chicago history.

Critic's Choice: Catching Up With National Poetry Month

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:47:52 -0500

4-20-09: Chinary Ung and George Crumb - New Releases

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:54:53 -0500

Andrew features new recordings of works by American composers Chinary Ung and George Crumb from Bridge Records

04-13-09: Beryl Satter (Author)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:06:50 -0500

Andrew's guest is Beryl Satter, author of the new book Family Properties: Race, Real Estate, and The Exploitation of Black Urban America--on a neglected period of Chicago history.

Critic's Choice: Christine Newman

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:42:25 -0500

04-06-09: Gustavo Dudamel (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:23:52 -0500

Andrew is joined by conductor Gustavo Dudamel to speak about the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela's new CD of works of Tchaikovsky which includes his Symphony No. 5 and Francesca da Rimini. This is in conjuction with Dudamel and the Bolívar's music education residency in Chicago this week. (This program's interview was recorded in January of 2009 at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.)

Critic's Choice: Spring Dance

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:06:00 -0500

03-30-09: Diane Walsh (pianist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:35 -0500

Andrew speaks with pianist Diane Walsh about her new recording of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations (JDR: Jonathan Digital Recordings) and her work as onstage pianist and musical director for the new Broadway play about their composition, 33 Variations.

03-23-09: Music For Spring (Rebroadcast from 2008)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:08:23 -0500

Andrew presents a selection of "Music for Spring." (Rebroadcast from 2008)

03-16-09: Reese Erlich (Author) on Cuban Music (Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:58:55 -0500

Andrew's guest is foreign correspondant and jazz writer Reese Erlich, discussing music in Cuba and the "real story of the Buena Vista Social Club." Check out his new book, Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba from PoliPoint Press.

Critic's Choice: 33 Variations

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:03:23 -0500

03-09-09: Reese Erlich (Author) (Part 1 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:55:52 -0500

Andrew's guest is veteran journalist and author Reese Erlich discussing his new book, "Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba" from PoliPoint Press.

Critic's Choice: Picking and Choosing II

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:09:14 -0600

03-02-09: Pierre Boulez (Maestro)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:57:31 -0600

A conversation with music with Chicago Symphony Orchestra "Conductor Emeritus" Pierre Boulez.

Critic's Choice: Picking and Choosing

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:13:39 -0600

02-23-09: Critical Thinking: Press In The Egg - CSO Coverage

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:28:18 -0600

A full-length program of even more happenings from our trip with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on their 2009 Far East Asia Tour. This week we bring you content from Shanghai and Beijing, China, including a press conference in Beijing's "Egg" with Maestro Bernard Haitink and CSO President Deborah Rutter, part II of the Shanghai Cocktail Party, and a walk through the park at the Temple of Heaven.

Critic's Choice: Chinese Freedoms

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:11:25 -0600

02-16-09: Back Home from Far East Asia

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:03:52 -0600

Andrew and Matt are back from their Critical Thinking: On The Road tour with the CSO through Far East Asia, including stops in Yokohama and Tokyo Japan, Hong Kong, as well as Shanghai and Beijing, China.

02-09-09: Critical Thinking from Shanghai, China

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:47:24 -0600

Andrew and Matt report from the road, following the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on their 2009 Far East Asia Tour. This program, from Shangai, is takes place during the tail-end of the two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year.

02-02-09: Critical Thinking from Tokyo, Japan. Guest: Li-Kuo Chang

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 2 Feb 2009 14:27:22 -0600

Critical Thinking's first-ever On The Road Edition! Following the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the entirety of their 2009 Far East Asia Tour, Andrew and Matt file their first full-length program from Tokyo, Japan.

01-26-09: Donald Nally

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:42:10 -0600

Andrew is joined by Lyric Opera of Chicago chorus master Donald Nally, discussing and playing recordings of Nally's Philadelphia-based contemporary choral group, The Crossing.

Critic's Choice: Did You See Studs Terkel at the Inauguration

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:36:34 -0600

01-19-09: Riccardo Muti (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:03:31 -0600

Andrew's guest is internationally renowned Italian conductor Riccardo Muti, who will become the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's 10th music director in the 2010/2011 season.

Critic's Choice: Music Now and New

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:52:01 -0600

01-12-09: Gustavo Dudamel (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:00:00 -0600

Andrew's guest is Gustavo Dudamel, the phenomenal young Venezuelan conductor. Andrew had the exclusive North American interview with the next music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic when he burst onto the U.S. scene two years ago. This second exclusive interview was recorded during Dudamel's concert week with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this month.

Critic's Choice: O'Neill

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 13:53:28 -0600

Critic's Choice: What Are Years?

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:03:45 -0600

12-29-08: Neil Harris (Historian, Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:27:18 -0600

The second of a two-part conversation with University of Chicago historian Neil Harris about his new book, "The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age," just published by The University of Chicago Press.

Critic's Choice: Barenboim's Recital

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:01:31 -0600

12-15-08: Neil Harris (Historian)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:07:36 -0600

The first of a two-part conversation with University of Chicago historian Neil Harris about his new book, "The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age," just published by The University of Chicago Press.

Critic's Choice: Astonishing

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:19 -0600

Critic's Choice: The American Dream

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 11:09:51 -0600

12-1-08: British Writers II

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 09:58:06 -0600

Andrew continues his survey of the new audio collections The Spoken Word -- British and American Writers from the British Library and the BBC. Tonight's show includes rare audio excerpts of G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, Rebecca West, Aldous Huxley, Evelyn Waugh, and a surprise "guest" who has been a longtime favorite of WFMT listeners.

Critic's Choice: On Studs

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 12:23:15 -0600

11-24-08: Alex Ross (Music Critic - The New Yorker; Genius)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:01:07 -0600

Andrew speaks with author and music critic for the New Yorker, Alex Ross. Since we last talked, his book The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century has been launched in paperback by Picador and he's won a MacArthur genius award.

11-17-08: Francesca Zambello (Stage Director)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:36:54 -0600

Andrew's guest is Francesca Zambello, stage director of Lyric Opera of Chicago's first-ever presentations of George Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS, beginning Tuesday night, November 18th, with a live opening night broadcast starting at 7:15p.m. on 98.7WFMT and wfmt.com.

08-08-05: Studs Terkel

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 10:29:31 -0500

Andrew speaks with Tashkent-born pianist Yefim Bronfman about his career. Bronfman returns to Orchestra Hall in Chicago on Sunday, November 9th at 3:00pm for a program with Emanuel Ax of two-piano works.

11-03-08: Yefim Bronfman (Pianist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 10:19:48 -0600

Critic's Choice: Generosity

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:53:21 -0500

Critic's Choice: Settling-in with the dance

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:47:04 -0500

10-27-08: Great British Writers

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:33:33 -0500

Andrew begins an occasional series of broadcasts from the new British Library CD sets entitled "The Spoken Word," with a sampling of the voices of great British writers from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Virginia Woolf.

10-20-08: Emmanuel Villaume

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:23:05 -0500

A conversation with music with Emmanuel Villaume, who conducts the Lyric Opera of Chicago in Massenet's Manon at the Civic Opera House through October 31.

Critic's Choice: If Elected, I'll Listen to WFMT

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:34:31 -0500

10-13-08: E. Faye Butler (Actor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:14:55 -0500

A conversation with music with E. Faye Butler, who stars as Caroline Thibodeax in Caroline, or Change at Chicago's Court Theatre thru October 26.

Critic's Choice: French October

mdestefano@wfmt.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:37:20 -0500