Thursdays at 9:00 pm
Hear the country’s longest-running national classical radio series.
Since its founding in 1959, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has continued to be one of the country’s most artistically vibrant and innovative orchestras. Millions nationwide have experienced the MSO since 1971 through its radio series – the country’s longest-running national classical radio series. Led by Ken-David Masur, who was appointed music director in 2018, the MSO’s virtuosic musicians excite listeners with over 140 live concerts across Wisconsin each season. A selection of concerts is featured in the broadcast series along with exclusive, behind-the-scenes conversations with musicians.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra programs are part of the WFMT Orchestra Series.
There are no upcoming broadcasts at the moment.
Aaron Diehl Plays Price and Gershwin
November 10, 2022
Pianist Aaron Diehl takes the stage to play Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement and George Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody. Music by Charles Ives and Samuel Barber rounds out this all-American program. Ken-David Masur conducts.
Augustin Hadelich
November 3, 2022
Famed violinist Augustin Hadelich joins the MSO and conductor Ken-David Masur to play Benjamin Britten‘s First Violin Concerto.
Karen Gomyo
October 27, 2022
Violinist Karen Gomyo joins guest conductor William Eddins to perform Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
Olga Kern
October 20, 2022
Pianist Olga Kern joins the MSO and guest conductor Andreas Delfs to play Edvard Grieg‘s famed Piano Concerto. Then, the orchestra plays moody and mythical works by Richard Wagner, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Sarah Kirkland Snider.
Chee-Yun
October 13, 2022
Violinist Chee-Yun joins Ken-David Masur and the MSO to perform Édouard Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole. Works by Emmanuel Chabrier, Maurice Ravel, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Manuel de Falla round out the program.
Aaron Diehl Plays Gershwin and Ellington
October 6, 2022
Season Premiere: Pianist Aaron Diehl joins Ken-David Masur and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to perform music of George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. We also hear music by Eric Nathan, James B. Wilson, and Igor Stravinsky.
Winter Medley
December 30, 2021
In a wide-ranging program, Ken-David Masur conducts music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Henry Purcell, plus Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and Daniel Kidane.
Quiet City, Serenade, Harmonielehre
December 16, 2021
Edo de Waart conducts this program of music by Copland, Bernstein, and John Adams.
Augustin Hadelich
December 9, 2021
Edo de Waart and the MSO welcome violinist Augustin Hadelich to perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.
‘Hansel and Gretel’
December 2, 2021
Andreas Delfs conducts this performance of Humperdinck’s timeless, family-friendly opera.
Haydn & Bologne
November 25, 2021
Ken-David Masur conducts this performance of late-18th century music.
Bruckner’s 8th Symphony
November 18, 2021
Stanisław Skrowaczewski conducts a performance of Bruckner’s final completed symphony.
Orchestras: Chamber, Wind, String
November 11, 2021
Ken-David Masur conducts this showcase of different orchestra configurations.
Dvořák’s ‘Stabat Mater’
November 4, 2021
Zdeněk Mácal conducts Barbara Pearson, soprano; Janice Taylor, mezzo-soprano; Jonathan Welch, tenor; Kurt Link, bass; Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in a performance of Dvořák’s seminal work.
Bridge to Classical
October 28, 2021
Ken-David Masur conducts this program of composers — including Mozart, Stamitz, and CPE Bach — who thrived in this transition between the Baroque and Classical eras.
Foss Conducts Foss
October 21, 2021
Lukas Foss takes center stage, conducting music that he composed. The evening culminates with an MSO commission: With Music Strong.
Wagner Masterworks
October 14, 2021
Kenneth Schermerhorn leads the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and soprano Jessye Norman, tenor Jess Thomas, and bass Thomas Paul in selections from Tannhäuser and Die Walküre.
Bach Fever
October 7, 2021
Season Premiere: Ken-David Masur conducts music by — and inspired by — Johann Sebastian Bach. Selections include works by Villa-Lobos and Arvo Pärt.
Conductor Peter Oundjian
December 24, 2020
Former Toronto Symphony Orchestra music director Peter Oundjian takes the stage for a program of music by Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Bernstein, and Beethoven.