Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96
Bennett’s early career peaked in the 1960s as he topped the charts with “San Francisco” and became the first male pop solo performer to headline at Carnegie Hall, releasing a live album of the 1962 concert.
Don't Miss a Beat
A live broadcast celebrating young artists, collaboration, and 10 years of WFMT’s Introductions at Chicago’s Youth Arts Showcase
On Saturday, September 22, 2018, WFMT’s Introductions, the weekly program that features the Chicago area’s finest pre-college musicians, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a live radio broadcast from Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park to kick off Chicago’s first Youth Arts Showcase (YAS! Fest). The fest was a highlight event of the 2018 Year of Creative Youth, a citywide celebration of Chicago’s young artists and the mentors who inspire them...
Riccardo Muti Conducts CSO, Civic in Free ‘Concert for Chicago’
Riccardo Muti, addressing the 10 thousand-plus crowd, remarked that "all 3 pieces connect the desire of freedom, libertà, liberty!"
AP Interview: Chopin contest winner praises old pianos
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The winner of the world’s 1st Chopin competition on historic pianos says the search for the original sound restores the appeal of classical music and helps artists understand the composer’s intentions. Tomasz Ritter of Poland was named the best of 30 young pianists at the 1st International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments this month. The 23-year-old ...
Video: Violinist Jennifer Koh on Creating a Diverse, Thriving Classical Music Future
"One of the things that's important to me," Koh shared, "is to bring voice to people who didn't have that voice before."
Detroit opera, fine arts champion David DiChiera dies at 83
In 1993, DiChiera bought a dilapidated former movie and vaudeville theater that would be transformed into the Detroit Opera House.
Meet the Youth Orchestra That’s Bridging the Gap Between Cuba and the US Through Music
“Their work ethic and thirst for knowledge was what inspired me to start the Cuban American Youth Orchestra.”
‘Show must go on:’ Stranded in Europe, Boston Symphony Orchestra improvises
The renowned orchestra very nearly missed the last stop on its 12-concert, eight-city European tour when it got stuck in Paris en route to the Dutch capital.
Sound the Shofar!
The shofar, an instrument made from a ram's horn, is heard in synagogues all over 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.
Poland’s Tomasz Ritter wins Chopin contest on period pianos
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Tomasz Ritter of Poland was announced the winner Thursday of the world’s first Frederic Chopin piano competition performed on instruments from the composer’s era. Japan’s Naruhiko Kawaguci and Poland’s Aleksandar Swigut both won second place. Third place went to Krzysztof Ksiazek of Poland. Dmitry Ablogin of Russia and France’s Antoine de Grolee won honorable mentions. The ...
Russian orchestra hires conductor accused of sexual abuse
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Russia’s oldest philharmonic orchestra says it has hired a Swiss conductor who has been the target of accusations of sexual misconduct. The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra said in a statement Thursday that it has hired Charles Dutoit as its new principal guest conductor and he will start in May next year. Three opera singers and ...
