Kristina and LaRob sit down for an informal listening party with composer, violinist, and CSO Mead Composer in Residence, Jessie Montgomery. She shares her musical inspirations, music she wishes she composed herself, and gives some insight into the life of a composer in the 21st century!

Happy Thanksgiving from LaRob and Kristina! The show returns next week.

Hosts LaRob K. Rafael and Kristina Lynn share the third installment of their “Sounds Classical” Playlist series, highlighting artists that are utilizing classical sounds in non-classical spaces. Look forward to hearing music from French pianist Sofiane Pamart, singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, composer and cellist Abel Selaocoe, and much more.

LaRob and Kristina get curious about indigenous instruments and are joined by Australian Aboriginal composer and didgeridooist William Barton who melds classical sounds with the music he learned from his elders.

Join LaRob and Kristina for this special pledge drive edition of Sounds Classical! The two hosts will share some of their favorite recordings while shining a spotlight on WFMT’s mission.

On this episode of Sounds Classical, Kristina and LaRob explore their favorite classical pieces that sound spooky and why this music gives them the chills! Join in for a frightening conversation about dissonance, instrumentation, and storytelling featuring works by Saint-Saens, Berlioz, and Schubert.

Due to various live broadcasts from the Grant Park Music Festival, the next 3 weeks of Sounds Classical have been cancelled. Tune in August 25th for the next episode!

Due to various live broadcasts from the Grant Park Music Festival, the next 3 weeks of Sounds Classical have been cancelled. Tune in August 25th for the next episode!

Due to various live broadcasts from the Grant Park Music Festival, the next 3 weeks of Sounds Classical have been cancelled. Tune in August 25th for the next episode!

Join LaRob and Kristina on a lighthearted but cutthroat musical showdown between the two composers to determine who really reigns supreme and why.

Due to the live broadcast of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s opening night at Ravinia, this week’s episode of Sounds Classical has been cancelled. Tune in next week for a composer showdown between Mozart and Salieri!

On this week’s episode of Sounds Classical, Kristina and LaRob sit down with composer Michael R. Oldham at the piano to discuss his music, inspirations, and thoughts about creating music that evokes emotions using many stylistic elements. Michael will demonstrate his creative process from melody to completion! They’ll share music by Claude Debussy, Sufjan Stevens and even Janelle Monáe!

On this episode of Sounds Classical, Kristina and LaRob talk with singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Kaoru Ishibashi (Kishi Bashi) about his uniquely cinematic composition, classical influences, and the importance of storytelling in music!

On this episode of Sounds Classical, Kristina and LaRob hear from leading expert in Filipino Art Music, Dr. Joseph Legaspi as he delves into the rich history and catalog of Filipino music, stories and composers like Nicanor Abelardo, Ryan Cayabyab, and Constancio de Guzman.

On this week’s episode, LaRob and Kristina welcome two special guests to explore the crossover between classical music and climate change activism. Singer and conductor Kirsten Hedegaard discusses her work in this sphere, including her EcoVoice Project, and composer Sarah Kirkland Snider shares the environmental impetus for creating her work Mass for the Endangered.

Donate to Classical WFMT so we can keep bringing you Sounds Classical and other great programming! Call (773) 279-2100 or visit wfmt.com/donate.

Join LaRob and Kristina for WFMT membership drive edition of Sounds Classical! They’ll chat about what it means to be part of the WFMT story, how Sounds Classical came to be, and what the future holds for classical music. Make your pledge of support and help this art form thrive for years to come. Call 773-279-2100 or make a gift online at wfmt.com.

Join Kristina and LaRob as they explore a playlist of music curated for the Earth. Pieces by Howard Shore, Frank Ticheli, and Joseph Curiale help further a discussion about the role and connection humans have to the planet on which we reside.

Kristina and LaRob reflect on the lasting impact pieces of like Schubert’s “Erlkönig” and Brahms’s Symphony No. 3.

Join hosts LaRob and Kristina as they dive into their first Sounds Classical Playlist, with a myriad of tunes that sound classical to them!

Renowned trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden joins LaRob & Kristina for a live performance and conversation regarding her career and the future of classical music.

Composer Anna Clyne joins Kristina and LaRob as they shine a spotlight on her 2020 album, Mythologies. The album is filled with intriguing and imaginative classical sounds: Anna articulates her inspirations, while the hosts share what drew them to the album.

When we think of classical repertoire, we often think of works that come from western countries like Germany, Italy and France. But what about Western Africa? LaRob K. Rafael and Kristina Lynn sat down with Nigerian composer, arranger and classical guitarist, Taiwo Adegoke to talk about his contributions to the canon… and how he’s ensuring his country and classical guitar …

In honor of the end of the year, LaRob K. Rafael and Kristina Lynn share some of their favorite musical moments of 2022 including newly released recordings of music by Leonard Bernstein, Jessie Montgomery, and Joseph Bologne. Together they recount the range of musical highlights from the year 2022.

Celebrate the holidays on Sounds Classical as colleagues join Kristina Lynn and LaRob K. Rafael to share musical memories near the fireside.