Rows of books like shelves in a warm, modern bookstore.
In a world full of things vying for our attention, sitting down with a good book feels like an act of quiet rebellion. Whether its learning about a new subject, or diving into a unique point of view, books can complete engross us in ways that few other mediums can.
Our staff at WFMT is constantly reading books, journals, and novels to expand their own horizons. We received plenty of great book recommendations from them a few years ago; we turned to them again this year for a fresh new batch.
The resulting list spans the gamut from fictional narratives to music history to opera scandals. After all, nothing gets you more excited about reading than a truly great book!
The Impossible Art: Adventures in Opera
Matthew Aucoin
“It’s a fun musing on the art from the perspective of a composer and opera lover.” – Weston Williams, WFMT production assistant
Vocal Wisdom: Maxims of Giovanni Battista Lamperti
William Earl Brown
“First printed in 1931, this essential book for singers is based on notes taken by one of the students of one of the all-time great teachers during lessons rather than a manuscript written directly by Lamperti himself. Vocal Wisdom is a record of Lamperti’s teachings, which preserve 19th-century vocal ideals – the golden age of Bel Canto. Introduced to this book when I was a student, I have always had a copy on my bookshelf. As a practical guide, its lessons are predominantly for singers, but Lamperti’s philosophies and spiritual insight are applicable to all artists and lovers of art.” – Oliver Camacho, WFMT music director
My Musical Notes: A Journey in Classical Piano Between the Two World Wars and Beyond
Gaby Casadesus, translated by Lawrence Lockwood in collaboration with Thérèse Casadesus Rawson
“Gaby Casadesus’s memoir leads us by turns through the exhilarating and exhausting life of a touring and recording pianist… and the equally exhausting and exhilarating life of wife and working mom. We gain not only a glimpse into her worlds but learn how she managed it all through the challenging first half of the twentieth century in Europe.” – Candice Agree, WFMT Host
Edinburgh
Alexander Chee
“The debut novel of Alexander Chee follows a twelve-year-old Korean American choirboy who tragically experiences abuse from his choir director. Musical references abound and evoke an imaginary soundtrack to this queer narrative on themes of trauma and identity.” – Oliver Camacho, WFMT music director
South Side Impresarios: How Race Women Transformed Chicago’s Classical Music Scene
Samantha Ege
“Florence Price, Nora Holt, and Margaret Bonds are just three of the remarkable Black women whose contributions to the classical music world have been long unacknowledged and underappreciated. Samantha Ege’s book should change that condition. It’s not every day that a music history book can be described as a page-turner, appealing to music lovers and scholars alike. Dr. Ege succeeds magnificently in enriching our understanding of the Black Chicago Renaissance by introducing us to a group of motivated and powerful women.” – Candice Agree, WFMT host
Words Without Music: A Memoir
Philip Glass
“You don’t necessarily have to be a fan of Philip Glass to enjoy this well-written, thoughtful reflection by the composer. Glass describes his life with candor and his music with quiet passion, taking you through incredibly interesting experiences: from his time as a student in Chicago, to his trip to India, and even times when his music nearly incited violence. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a glimpse into the minds and musical atmosphere that fueled contemporary classical music of the 1960s and beyond.” – Adela, WFMT administrative coordinator, production assistant
Behind the Glass: Top Record Producers Tell How They Craft the Hits
Howard Massey
“I got this book when I first started getting into music and radio production. It’s a great insight into some of the best minds in the recording industry, featuring some great interviews with people like George Martin and Brian Wilson. If you’ve ever been curious about how records are made, then this is the book for you.” – Dan Goldberg, WFMT producer
Hello, Everybody! The Dawn of American Radio
Anthony Rudel
“Fun read about the origins of broadcasting in the U.S. by noted East Coast broadcaster and son of the late conductor Julius Rudel.” – Marilyn Rea Beyer, host and producer of Folkstage and The Midnight Special
A New Philosophy of Opera
Yuval Sharon
“A pretty exciting read for me specifically, practically talking about the future of opera as an art form, though it might be a little more niche.” – Weston Williams, WFMT production assistant
Dylan Goes Electric: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties
The Mayor of MacDougal Street – Dave Van Ronk’s memoir
Elijah Wald
“Two books essential to understanding the popularity of folk music from the ‘60s to the ‘90s – including ample mentions of The Midnight Special fave Phil Ochs.” – Marilyn Rea Beyer, host and producer of Folkstage and The Midnight Special
