Live broadcasts from the WFMT studios with some of today’s best artists.
Our live afternoon series of “impromptu” music and conversation features some of today’s most sought-after musicians from around the world. Previous guests on Impromptu have included cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, and author Salman Rushdie. Other guests have included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, tenor Joseph Calleja, violinist Joshua Bell, and the vocal ensemble Chanticleer. Broadcast live from the Levin Performance Studio at WFMT, the program also features local performers who are vital to Chicago’s vibrant musical culture.
There are no upcoming broadcasts at the moment.
Rachel Barton Pine [Encore Broadcast]
August 7, 2020
Shortly after releasing her 2017 album, Bel Canto, violinist Rachel Barton Pine demonstrated the showmanship required to perform Paganini’s virtuosic Caprices.
Imani Winds [Encore Broadcast]
July 31, 2020
Since its formation in 1997, the Grammy nominated Imani Winds has established itself as one of America’s premier wind quintets. When Kerry Frumkin welcomed the group in 2013, they played works by ensemble member Valerie Coleman, as well as Igor Stravinsky, and Manuel de Falla.
George Li, piano [Encore Broadcast]
July 24, 2020
Praised by the Washington Post for combining “staggering technical prowess, a sense of command and depth of expression,” pianist George Li possesses brilliant virtuosity and effortless grace far beyond his years. He captured the Silver Medal at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition and was the recipient of the 2016 Avery Fisher Career Grant. This Impromptu dates from March 2, 2018. ...
Danish String Quartet [Encore Broadcast]
July 17, 2020
The Danish String Quartet once described themselves with self-effacing friendliness, quipping “…we are simply your friendly neighborhood string quartet with above average amounts of beard.” Violinists Frederik Øland and Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, violist Asbjørn Nørgaard, and cellist Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin made their Impromptu debut on October 9, 2014.
Philippe Quint, violin, and Marta Aznavoorian, piano [Encore Broadcast]
July 10, 2020
In this Impromptu from August 19, 2019, Grammy nominated artists, violinist Philippe Quint and pianist Marta Aznavoorian, showcased their collaborative album, Chaplin’s Smile. Tune in to hear arrangements for violin and piano of songs composed by Charlie Chaplin for his most well-known films.
Reginald R. Robinson, piano [Encore Broadcast]
July 3, 2020
The story goes that Reginald R. Robinson first heard the sweet strains of ragtime music through the loudspeaker of a neighborhood ice cream truck. Years later, the self-taught pianist and composer received a 2004 “genius” fellowship from the MacArthur Foundation. Reginald Robinson performed some of his original compositions on Impromptu on September 21, 2017
Anderson & Roe Piano Duo [Encore Broadcast]
June 26, 2020
Pianists Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Roe aim to make classical music a relevant and powerful force around the world. Their joyful virtuosity shines through chart-topping albums, Emmy-nominated music videos, and an extensive international touring schedule.
Chamber Music Chicago [Encore Broadcast]
June 19, 2020
Founded in 2019, Chamber Music Chicago presents gems of the chamber repertoire as performed by some of today’s leading artists. Violinists Janet Sung and David Bowlin, violist Ann Marie Brink, and cellists Peter Stumpf and Michael Mermagen performed Schubert’s String Quintet in D Major, live on Impromptu on October 4, 2019.
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp and Jason Vieaux, guitar [Encore Broadcast]
June 12, 2020
We asked harpist Yolanda Kondonassis what she loves best about her instrumental collaboration with guitarist Jason Vieaux. She said it was how the blend and contrast “changes constantly depending on the register, the articulation, and the dynamics.” The duo performed live on Impromptu on September 1, 2016, prior to their recital at Ravinia.
Till Fellner, piano [Encore Broadcast]
May 22, 2020
Back in 2016, Austrian pianist Till Fellner performed Mozart’s sunny Piano Concerto No. 22 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and former CSO Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink. We are delighted to present this Impromptu Encore with Till Fellner from April 26, 2016.
Michael Barenboim + The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble [Encore Broadcast]
May 15, 2020
Since 1999, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has brought together Arab and Israeli musicians as a means to defy fierce political divides in the Middle East and globally. Concertmaster Michael Barenboim leads the newly-formed West-Eastern Divan Ensemble, and on February 20, 2020 that fantastic group of chamber players performed the Mendelssohn Octet, live on Impromptu.
The Knights [Encore Broadcast]
May 8, 2020
Back on August 18, 2017, we had to bring in extra music stands, and even considered stretching the walls of the Levin Studio. That’s because the magnificent orchestra, The Knights, returned to WFMT’s Levin Studio to perform live on Impromptu.
Paul Huang, violin & Marta Aznavoorian, piano [Encore Broadcast]
May 1, 2020
On July 19, 2018, violinist Paul Huang was in Chicago to make his Grant Park Music Festival debut. First though, the recipient of the prestigious 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2017 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists performed on Impromptu with pianist Marta Aznavoorian.
Lawrence Brownlee, Tenor [Encore Broadcast]
April 24, 2020
On October 15, 2015, the wonderful American tenor, Lawrence Brownlee, and the great collaborative pianist, Craig Terry, shared repertoire by Rossini – a Brownlee specialty – as well as a spiritual, “Come By Here,” and Benjamin Britten’s lovely “Down By the Sally Gardens.” This broadcast is a favorite of Impromptu’s producer, Louise Frank.
Alon Goldstein, piano [Encore Broadcast]
April 17, 2020
Hailed as one of the most original and sensitive artists of his generation, Israeli pianist Alon Goldstein played music by Scarlatti, Beethoven, and Ginestera when he was Kerry Frumkin’s guest on this Impromptu from September 9, 2019.
Aizuri Quartet [Encore Broadcast]
April 10, 2020
Enjoy an Impromptu encore performance by the award-winning Aizuri Quartet, whose debut album Blueprinting was nominated for a 2019 Grammy Award. This program was originally heard on WFMT on January 17, 2020.
Mūza Rubackytė, piano [Rebroadcast]
March 23, 2020
The great Lithuanian pianist Mūza Rubackytė began her stunning career when she made her debut at the age of 7. Kerry Frumkin has long been a champion of Muza’s, whose appearance on Impromptu has been canceled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In place of that live performance, we’ll rebroadcast a selection from her 2011 Impromptu appearance.
Concerto Köln with Shunske Sato, violin
February 28, 2020
Hear a live performance by Concerto Köln, a period chamber orchestra from Germany, with the ensemble’s distinctive concertmaster, Shunske Sato.
Michael Barenboim + The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble
February 20, 2020
Founded in 1999, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra brings together Arab and Israeli musicians as a means to defy fierce political divides in the Middle East and globally. The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble, led by the orchestra’s concertmaster Michael Barenboim, expresses their highly praised artistry through an intimate chamber music format.
Stephane Wrembel, guitar
February 6, 2020
Hear French guitarist Stephane Wrembel celebrate the Gypsy spirit of Django Reinhardt.