As we approach Christmas Eve, we’ll begin the festivities with music to celebrate the arrival of the Christ Child on this edition of With Heart and Voice. Tune in as Peter DuBois shares sacred choral and organ treasures of the season.
With Heart and Voice | A Christmas Celebration
Christmas Around the World
Candice Agree scours performances from the European Broadcasting Union and from commercial recordings to find seasonal music from far and wide. More information
Handel’s Messiah, Part I
The Christmas section of Handel’s great oratorio is performed by the Baroque-specialist musicians of Tafelmusik.
Whole Notes: Music of Healing and Peace
On December 13, WFMT premieres Whole Notes: Music of Healing and Peace, a special program hosted by Kerry Frumkin that looks at the gun violence epidemic in America through the lens of classical music. This response to violence in our world – notably, gun violence – will include performances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a look at the Notes for Peace …
Playlist
J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, by J.S. Bach
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Sonata in E Major for flute and piano, by J.S. Bach
Alexandria Hoffman, flute; Pei-yeh Tsai, piano
“I Miss You, Tyrell,” by Pamela Bosley with Rex Horan and Sara Lee
Sarah Ponder, mezzo-soprano; Notes for Peace Ensemble
The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed, by Joel Thompson
University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club; Eugene Rodgers, director
“Red,” from the opera Future Perfect, by David Shenton, libretto by Christine Steyer
Christine Steyer, soprano; Marta Johnson, piano
“Hurricane,” by Delphine Cherry with Rex Horan, and Sara Lee
Sarah Ponder, mezzo-soprano; Notes for Peace Ensemble
Berlioz’s Requiem performed at Nôtre-Dame de Paris
The “Grande Messe des Morts” was performed and recorded in 2014 at Nôtre-Dame de Paris, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Marc-André Hamelin in recital at Northwestern University
In May, the acclaimed pianist gave a recital at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music as part of its Skyline Piano Artist Series
Playlist
J.S. Bach (arr. Busoni): Chaconne from Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
Schumann: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17
Weissenberg: Six Arrangements of Songs Sung by Charles Trénet
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Cipressi (Cypresses)
Chopin: Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61
Chopin: Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54
Chicago’s Music of the Baroque performs Bach’s Mass in B Minor
Under the baton of Jane Glover, leading 18th-century music ensemble Music of the Baroque performs one of Bach’s crowning artistic achievements. Cast Yulia Van Doren, soprano Krisztina Szabó, soprano Jonas Hacker, tenor Tyler Duncan, baritone Music of the Baroque Chorus & Orchestra; Jane Glover, conductor
Musical Memories of the High Holidays with Itzhak Perlman
Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman shares meaningful recordings in honor of the Jewish High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Sound the Shofar: An Ancient Instrument in Modern Times
Discover the sounds of the shofar, in this program that explores an instrument made from a ram’s horn, that is heard around the world during the Jewish High Holidays. It has also been heard outside those confines for ages, as a call to battle, or a way for shepherds to summon their flocks, and as inspiration for many classical composers. …
Holiday Fireworks with Robbie Ellis
In honor of Independence Day, join host Robbie Ellis for a stirring evening of electrifying classical music, including works by Sousa and Bernstein.