Members of King’s College Choir are feeling festive in their holiday hats
One thing you don’t need to stress out about this holiday season is finding the perfect soundtrack. All month long, you can enjoy WFMT’s special holiday broadcasts from all around the world. Hear performances by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Chanticleer, the King’s College Choir of Cambridge University, the organ choir of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Music of the Baroque, Itzhak Perlman, and many more, plus special holiday installments of your favorite series.
Live from WFMT
Monday, December 5 at 8:00 pm
Bella Voce performs a holiday program, directed by Andrew Lewis, live from Levin Studio.
Carols and Cheer
Wednesday, December 7 at 10:00 pm
Radio host Scott Blankenship and Matt Culloton of The Singers play favorite carols as recorded by today’s soloists and ensembles.
Baroque&Before with Candice Agree
Thursday, December 8 at 10:00 pm
The a cappella Ensemble La Colombina presents a program of the music of 16th-century Spain. The title of the recital is taken from Alta Reyna Soberana (High Sovereign Queen,) a sacred villancico for Christmas found in the Cancionero de Uppsala dating from 1556. Recorded live in concert in December 2013, St. Peter’s Church, Porrentruy, Switzerland.
With Heart and Voice
Sunday, December 11 at 6:00 am
For the series’ third Advent program, Peter DuBois presents music in praise of the Virgin Mary.
Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Wednesday, December 14 at 10:00 pm
Familiar carols, lesser-known melodies, and new holiday classics performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Julie Amacher hosts.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcasts
Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 pm
Ingo Metzmacher conducts Tchaikovsky’s Excerpts from The Nutcracker, Stravinsky’s Petrouchka, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905.
A Holiday Special
Monday, December 19 at 8:00 pm
A service of lessons and carols recorded at St. James Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago.
Chanticleer
A Chanticleer Christmas
Wednesday, December 21 at 10:00 pm
The acclaimed male vocal ensemble performs a new holiday program.
Baroque&Before with Candice Agree
Thursday, December 22 at 10:00 pm
Candice presents a special two-hour edition for Christmas.
A Concert of Sacred Music
Friday, December 23 at 8:00 pm
Recorded at St Stanislaus Kostka Church in April, with the church’s Organ Choir, pianist William Neil, woodwind artist Tom Gullion, and soprano Josefien Stoppelenburg. The program includes Gullion’s Quiet, Neil’s Deep Blue; Black Madonna, Bingen’s O Ignis Spiritus, and Neil’s Out of Darkness Into Light. Kerry Frumkin hosts.
Best of Studs Terkel
Friday, December 23 at 11:00 pm
Studs’ program of Christmas Memories
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 24 at 9:00 am
Live from King’s College, Cambridge University, the annual performance by the King’s College Choir and members of the Cambridge community is hosted by Michael Barone.
From the Metropolitan Opera
Saturday, December 24 at 12:00 pm
Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel starring Alice Coote as Hansel, Christine Schäfer as Gretel, Philip Langridge as Witch, Rosalind Plowright as Gertrude, and Alan Held as Peter. Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra in this performance from 2008.
Arias and Songs with Larry Johnson
Saturday, December 24 at 4:30 pm
Larry presents vocal recordings of music for the holidays.
Fiesta! with Elbio Barilari
Saturday, December 24 at 7:00 pm
Elbio presents recordings of Latin-American Christmas carols.
Christmas Day/Hannukah
Sunday, December 25 at various times
Music and readings throughout the day to celebrate Christmas and Hannukah.
With Heart and Voice
Sunday, December 25 at 6:00 am
Host Peter DuBois plays Christmas favorites requested by listeners.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Radio Broadcasts
Sunday, December 25 at 1:00 pm
Bernard Labadie conducts with vocal soloists and CSO Chorus in Handel’s Messiah.
Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin
Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 30 at 7:00 pm
This week’s topic: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
Music of the Baroque: Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus
Monday, December 26 at 8:00 pm
In honor of Hanukkah, Music of the Baroque performs Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus. The oratorio is conducted by Jane Glover, with Thomas Cooley and Eric Owens portraying Judas Maccabaeus and his brother, Simon; the MOB Chorus and Orchestra are joined by the Anima Young Singers. Recorded in performance, November 2015.
Itzhak Perlman (Photo: Lisa Marie Mazzucco)
Itzhak Perlman‘s Hanukkah Radio Party
Wednesday, December 28 at 10:00 pm
The famed violinist shares his favorite music for the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Arias and Songs with Larry Johnson
Saturday, December 31 at 4:30 pm
Music for New Year’s Eve.
Live from the College of DuPage
Saturday, December 31 at 5:00 pm
The New Philharmonic performs a concert of music for the New Year.
The New Year’s Eve Midnight Special with Rich Warren
Saturday, December 31, beginning at 8:00 pm
Rich hosts the annual NYE edition of the Midnight Special with listener favorites, and live in-studio guests, including Honor Finnegan, Reggie Harris, Don White, and Small Potatoes.
