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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UK patient plays violin during unusual brain surgery

LONDON (AP) — Surgeons at King’s College Hospital in London have removed a brain tumor from a woman who played the violin during the procedure. Doctors for violinist Dagmar Turner, 53, mapped her brain before the surgery to identify areas that were active when she played the instrument and those responsible for controlling language and movement. Doctors then woke her ...

Joffrey Ballet Announces 2020-21 Season

A year of milestones, the upcoming season marks Joffrey’s 65th season, its 25th in Chicago, the five-year anniversary of its reimagined Nutcracker, and its inaugural season at Lyric Opera House.

Remembering Jamie Gilson, children’s book author, WFMT contributor, and friend

When Jamie Gilson came into this world there were fireworks, her website explains. She was born on the Fourth of July 1933. She died quietly at her home on February 11, 2020, with her family around her. She was known primarily as a writer of children’s books, but she also wrote for radio, magazines, and film – WFMT, WBEZ, Chicago ...

New Music, Deep Listening: Chicago’s Frequency Festival Celebrates 5 Years

With all the incredible performances that happen every year around this city, it can be easy to forget: Chicago is a hub for new music. This year, one of the cornerstones of Chicago's contemporary classical music scene — Frequency Festival — celebrates its fifth year in a week of new music concerts.

Odysseys of Movement, Music in Joffrey Program

Culminating in “The Times Are Racing” by choreographer Justin Peck, Joffrey's mixed-rep program features “ballet, contemporary, comic, and a ‘sneaker ballet,’” artistic director Ashley Wheater describes.

Drawing Hope and Courage from Opera: Dan Shore’s ‘Freedom Ride’

With a story that highlights how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go, Chicago Opera Theater presents the world premiere of Dan Shore’s Freedom Ride, which centers on a pivotal moment in the civil rights struggle.

Lyric Opera of Chicago Announces 2020-2021 Season

A North American premiere, a Midwest premiere, and a special opening night concert with Renée Fleming are among the highlights. The 2020-2021 season will also be Sir Andrew's last as music director.

Video: Pianist Mayta Lerttamrab Plays Rachmaninoff and Moszkowski

Pianist-architect Mayta Liu Lerttamrab has taken a unique path in his musical endeavors. Studying and beginning his career as an architect, Lerttamrab decided to pursue music in his mid-20s.

Combining Cappuccinos and Chamber Music With the Chicago Sinfonietta

“Tchaikovsky’s ‘Serenade for Strings’ while enjoying a nice pour-over, or anything by Mozart would be perfect,” says Sadie Woods, project manager of the Chicago Sinfonietta‘s Residents Orchestrate Project (ROP). Whether you enjoy Liszt and a latte, Grieg and a green tea, or Bartók and a black coffee, the Sinfonietta’s ROP Melodic Lounge live music series infuses symphonic sounds with aromatic coffeehouse ...

Marvin Goldsmith, Marketing Executive and WFMT-WTTW trustee, dies at 84

Marvin Goldsmith, WTTW and WFMT Trustee, died last Thursday evening, February 6, 2020, at age 84. Elected to the Board in June of 1977, “Marv” was one of its longest-serving members. As a trustee, he dedicated valuable time, expertise, and counsel to the Development and Investment Communities, to finance and governance functions, and to the WFMT Radio Committee. He is ...

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