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 leads the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago in free “Concert for Chicago”
As Chicagoans, we appreciate hot and breezy nights, especially when we think of the alternative. Despite the heat and some gusts of wind that nearly blew sheet music right off the stands, Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra maintained their cool as they presented a free “Concert for Chicago” at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium ...
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 and thriving future for classical music
Violinist Jennifer Koh visited WFMT for a Facebook live broadcast and shared two contrasting works — the "Sarabande" from Bach's Violin Partita No.2 in D minor and "Kinski Paganini," by Missy Mazzoli. She also spoke about the importance of ensuring that there is diversity in future generations of classical artists. "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
DETROIT (AP) — Musician David DiChiera, who championed opera’s role in reviving downtown Detroit and directed several opera organizations nationwide, has died of pancreatic cancer. He was 83. Michigan Opera Theatre spokeswoman Erica Hobbs says DiChiera died Tuesday at his Detroit home. He founded the organization in 1971 and was its longtime general director. In 1993, DiChiera bought a dilapidated ...
Meet the youth orchestra that’s bridging the gap between Cuba and the US through music
In May 2015, the Minnesota Orchestra made history with its performance at the Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba. The ensemble was the first American orchestra in decades to perform on the island, and the concert was broadcast around the country, including on WFMT. Rena Kraut, a Highland Park native and professional clarinetist who toured with the orchestra, was inspired not ...
‘Show must go on:’ Stranded in Europe, Boston Symphony Orchestra improvises
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Symphony Orchestra might want to consider naming its next album Songs in the Key of A — as in airport, abandoned and Amsterdam. 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. Symphony spokeswoman Bernadette Horgan said ...
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 ...
