Listen on WFMT 98.7FM, the WFMT app, and wfmt.com
CHICAGO – November 27, 2024 – WFMT classical radio announced today an exciting schedule of broadcast and digital content in celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah 2024. From mid-December through New Year’s Day, WFMT will offer a wide variety of traditional and contemporary holiday specials and concerts by artists and ensembles from around the world that will inspire listeners of all ages. Explore the wfmt.com Winter Music Guide with a roundup of festive local events, live performances, holiday programming, and more to help Chicago music fans make the most of the season.
New for 2024, WFMT will share live performances of Christmas music by Music of the Baroque from Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art; the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge; and the annual Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert, this year conducted by CSO Music Director Emeritus Riccardo Muti. Also listen for the popular vocal ensemble Cantus sharing music of the season from WFMT’s Levin Performance Studio, and the period-instrument orchestra Apollo’s Fire presenting a refreshingly innovative version of Handel’s Messiah.
“The holidays truly are special on WFMT,” said head of programming and operations Roger Wight. “We are excited to bring our listeners here and around the world a diverse array of beautiful, seasonal music, and to play a meaningful role in their holiday celebrations.”
Here is WFMT’s complete schedule (**denotes new for 2024):
Music of the Baroque: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio**
The expressive British tenor Gwilym Bowen, who made an acclaimed debut in MOB’s St. Matthew Passion, returns as the Evangelist. Soprano Yulia Van Doren, mezzo-soprano Emily Fons, and bass-baritone Michael Sumuel complete the quartet of soloists with the world-class Music of the Baroque chorus. Dame Jane Glover conducts this performance, recorded live in concert.
Sunday, December 15 • 5:00 pm
LIVE: Music of the Baroque at the National Museum of Mexican Art**
Join us from Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood for a live performance by Music of the Baroque. The MOB Chorus and Brass Ensemble share a program of Christmas music from 17th and 18th century composers from Mexico and South America, along with Renaissance and Baroque music from Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Wednesday, December 18 • 12:00 pm (live) and 8:00 pm (encore)
Holidays with Cantus**
One of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus is widely known for its trademark vocal blend, innovative programming, and diverse repertoire. In a special visit to the WFMT studios, the gentlemen of Cantus join host Louise Frank to share a warm and inviting mix of music for the holidays.
Thursday, December 19 • 8:00 pm
Best of Studs Terkel: Christmas Memories
Christmas Memories with Studs Terkel brims with voices and memories from childhood Christmases from long ago. Studs first offered this special program on WFMT in December 1961.
Friday, December 20 • 11:00 pm
Winter Holidays Around the World with Bill McGlaughlin
From medieval Christmas music to Dave Brubeck’s La Fiesta de la Posada and a Polynesian traditional hymn to Amahl and the Night Visitors, Exploring Music host Bill McGlaughlin takes you on a fascinating journey through music and time.
Saturday, December 21 • 6:00 pm
Sounds Classical
Hosts Kristina Lynn and LaRob K. Rafael celebrate the holidays by listening to some unique approaches to the music of the season. Enjoy music for the season from Africa, Spain, the Philippines, and more.
Saturday, December 21 • 7:00 pm
Folkstage
Enjoy an evening with Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Celtic Quartet and their magical holiday performance from December 2022 at Acoustic Renaissance Concerts in Hinsdale.
Saturday, December 21 • 8:00 pm
The Midnight Special
Host Marilyn Rea Beyer offers solstice songs for the longest night of the year and music to brighten wintertime.
Saturday, December 21 • 9:00 pm
Apollo’s Fire: Handel’s Messiah**
Apollo’s Fire artistic director Jeannette Sorrell conducts this most popular of holiday traditions with stylish performances from the period-instrument orchestra, recorded live in concert. With sopranos Sonya Headlam and Chicago’s own Erica Schuller, mezzo-soprano Amanda Crider, tenor Steven Caldicott, and baritone Edward Vogel.
Sunday, December 22 • 5:00 pm
Monday, December 23 • 8:00 pm (encore)
Fiesta! with Elbio Barilari
Discover the Christmas music of 18th century Brazilian composer José Maurício Nunes Garcia as Elbio highlights a recent recording of his monumental mass, Missa de Nossa Senhora da Conceição.
Sunday, December 22 • 10:00 pm
LIVE: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols**
This inspiring service of Biblical readings, carols, and seasonal music is broadcast live around the world from the 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, in Cambridge, England.
Tuesday, December 24 • 9:00 am (live) and 10:00 pm (encore)
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Founded in 1912, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival celebrates the Nativity through hymns, carols, and choral and orchestral music performed by St. Olaf College ensembles, joined by the Manitou Singers and the Viking Chorus.
Tuesday, December 24 • 6:00 pm
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
Few pieces of music capture the spirit of the season quite like Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker. Enjoy this concert performance, from Paris, of the complete Nutcracker ballet with the French National Orchestra and conductor Petr Popelka.
Wednesday, December 25 • 9:00 am
Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah
The vocal ensemble Chicago a cappella highlights American Jewish musical traditions in their recording, Miracle of Miracles: Music for Hanukkah. Louise Frank visits with the ensemble and shares some of their inspiring music.
Wednesday, December 25 • 6:00 pm
Baroque&Before
Candice Agree hosts an encore presentation of Music of the Baroque’s November 25 performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at Symphony Center.
Wednesday, December 25 • 10:00 pm (encore)
The New York Philharmonic This Week
The New York Philharmonic presents classics such as Leroy Anderson’s ever-popular Sleigh Ride, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, Winter from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Poulenc’s Gloria, and more.
Thursday, December 26 • 10:00 pm
New Year’s Eve with WFMT
Ring in the new year with familiar voices as Lisa Flynn, Candice Agree, Kerry Frumkin, LaRob K. Rafael, Kristina Lynn, Robbie Ellis, and others share some of their favorite music to keep you in good company for the last two hours of 2024.
Tuesday, December 31 • 10:00 pm
LIVE: The 2025 Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert**
The famed Vienna Philharmonic presents its New Year’s Day concert live from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. Ricardo Muti leads the orchestra in the Radetzky March and the Blue Danube Waltz, along with equally sparkling music by the Strauss family and others.
Wednesday, January 1 • 10:00 am (live) and 8:00 pm (encore)
WFMT is one of the world’s most respected classical music radio stations, accessible via broadcast at 98.7FM, streaming live at wfmt.com, and on the WFMT app. Recognized for trusted hosted programming, immersive live performances and concerts, strong partnerships with community organizations and championing young, local musicians and access to the arts, WFMT spotlights inspiring music, musicians, and musical performances from Chicago and around the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the New York Philharmonic, and many more. Connect with WFMT on Facebook and Twitter.
