Violins of Hope Luthier Amnon Weinstein Has Died, Aged 84
The respected Israeli luthier is best known for creating the Violins of Hope project, which restores and tours instruments — particularly violins — of Holocaust victims and survivors.
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Why Composer Max Richter Wants To Put You to Sleep
Composer Max Richter wants people to doze off during his latest composition, SLEEP, which he calls an “8-hour lullaby.”
Kent Nagano’s ‘Violent Shift from the Status Quo’
This idea of hearing something new in live music underscores Nagano's overall outlook of the concert experience.
Singer Omara Portuondo on the Buena Vista Social Club’s Farewell Tour
Señora Portuondo, one of the greatest singers of our time, spoke with WFMT about Buena Vista’s goodbye tour, relations between the U.S. and Cuba, and the power music has to bring people together.
Star Soprano Karita Mattila’s Secrets to a Long, Successful Career
Finnish soprano and two-time Grammy Award winner Karita Mattila is celebrating her 33rd season as a professional performer. What are the secrets to her enduring success?
From YouTube to Lyric: Composer Jimmy López on His Operatic Debut
"I’ve been working towards this my whole career," Lopez said excitedly as he observed summer technical rehearsals for Bel Canto.
WFMT’s Favorite Beach Reads
If you need recommendations for what to read when you're relaxing on the beach, look no further; our staff shares their favorite books about music.
Quiz: Are You Secretly French? You Might Be If Get More Than 14/20 On This Music Quiz
Think you know French music? From the salon to the symphony hall, from the opera to the ballet, the French have given us some great music. But, how much French music do YOU know? Allons-y!
“Gopher Tuna” — What ‘Carmina Burana’ Really Sounds Like
Carl Orff’s famous Carmina Burana, a scenic cantata based on medieval poems, is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music. We’ve all heard it countless times. But, do you know what the text says? The poetry muses on life, death, fortune, and of course, drinking, gluttony, gambling, and sex. Since the text is in Latin, you may not ...
15 Queer Composers You Should Know
Can you imagine a world without the music of Handel, Tchaikovsky, or Britten? These great composers of the past are just a few of many important musical figures who did not identify as heterosexual.
Signifyin’ in Song: How the Sounds of Slavery Changed Music Forever
Music and dance provided an outlet for enslaved people to express their sorrow, though often their cries of pain sounded quite the opposite to slave owners.
