New Releases Aug. 26: Beethoven for Three, Shostakovich Symphonies
The fourth installment in the beloved Beethoven for Three series by Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax, with a glimpse into the rarely heard works of Beethoven's contemporary Helene Liebmann. Plus, Joyce DiDonato as Dido, early student works by Shostakovich, and a composer who Paul Hindemith described as “the last giant of music."
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We Want to Hear From YOU!
While we may not be able to gather in our communities, we’re still using music to bring our community together. Please send us your suggestions for pieces we can play for our listeners around the world.
Video: Some Infectiously Fun and Incredibly Fast Music on a Wurlitzer Organ
The organ is a polarizing instrument, but one organist is doing his best to appeal to a wide audience with these infectiously fun, utterly virtuosic, rather tongue-in-cheek, and thoroughly entertaining performances.
6 Hours, 12 Countries, 250 Performers: ‘The Lunar Opera’ Gets the Virtual Treatment
A marathon 6-hour performance will be held in an unexpected (but increasingly familiar) place: Zoom! The video conferencing platform will provide the proscenium for a performance of Pauline Oliveros’ postmodern masterpiece 'The Lunar Opera.'
Beethoven Said It First: ‘Oh what joy, in the open air!’
Getting through winter in Chicago is tough enough, but when it’s immediately followed by a global pandemic and social distancing, it’s a real double-whammy. We're reminded of the Prisoners' Chorus from Beethoven's 'Fidelio.'
E-Thereal: Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir Performs ‘Lux Aurumque’
While isolating ourselves in our homes, many of us have been keeping our social connections through technology. Though the deep need for this technology may feel new, the popular choral composer Eric Whitacre pioneered the concept of a “virtual choir” over a decade ago.
WFMT and CSO Partner for New Broadcast and Streaming Series Amidst COVID-19 Crisis
Today, WFMT and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra announce the launch of an exciting new broadcast and streaming series: From the CSO’s Archives: Maestro’s Choice—For All Music Lovers in These Difficult Times.
With Opera Houses Closed, Soprano Sings for Her Alpacas
An audience is an audience, no matter who (or what species) is in it. Case in point: Erin G. McCarthy recently gave a quick recital in her barn to an audience of three alpacas.
Son: Jazz great Ellis Marsalis Jr. dead at 85; fought virus
Marsalis was born in New Orleans, son of the operator of a hotel where he met touring Black musicians who couldn't stay at the segregated downtown hotels where they performed.
WFMT Hosts and Staff Share Their Favorite Poems
April is National Poetry Month, so there's no better time to share, revisit, or discover wonderful poetry. Here are our picks.
Soothe Your Soul with the Chicago Harp Quartet [Video]
There's nothing quite like harp music. Now more than ever, the Chicago Harp Quartet's lush, dulcet tones offer an opportunity to slow down, close your eyes, and take a deep breath.
