A Program for Mother’s Day
May 11, 2025, 6:00 am
Host Peter DuBois shares sacred music focusing on human love, as well as honoring Mary, Mother of Jesus.
Rising Stars in Concert
May 18, 2025, 5:00 pm
A showcase performance by The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center 2024/25 Ensemble with the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Enrique Mazzola. The program includes selections from Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld.
Handel’s Messiah, Part I
December 19, 2019, 2:00 pm
The Christmas section of Handel’s great oratorio is performed by the Baroque-specialist musicians of Tafelmusik.
Whole Notes: Music of Healing and Peace
December 13, 2019, 8:00 pm
On December 13, WFMT premieres Whole Notes: Music of Healing and Peace, a special program hosted by Kerry Frumkin that looks at the gun violence epidemic in America through the lens of classical music. This response to violence in our world – notably, gun violence – will include performances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a look at the Notes for Peace ...
Berlioz’s Requiem performed at Nôtre-Dame de Paris
November 4, 2019, 8:00 pm
The "Grande Messe des Morts" was performed and recorded in 2014 at Nôtre-Dame de Paris, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Marc-André Hamelin in recital at Northwestern University
October 28, 2019, 8:00 pm
In May, the acclaimed pianist gave a recital at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music as part of its Skyline Piano Artist Series
Chicago’s Music of the Baroque performs Bach’s Mass in B Minor
October 21, 2019, 8:00 pm
Under the baton of Jane Glover, leading 18th-century music ensemble Music of the Baroque performs one of Bach’s crowning artistic achievements. Cast Yulia Van Doren, soprano Krisztina Szabó, soprano Jonas Hacker, tenor Tyler Duncan, baritone Music of the Baroque Chorus & Orchestra; Jane Glover, conductor
Musical Memories of the High Holidays with Itzhak Perlman
October 7, 2019, 10:00 pm
Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman shares meaningful recordings in honor of the Jewish High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Sound the Shofar: An Ancient Instrument in Modern Times
October 6, 2019, 6:00 pm
Discover the sounds of the shofar, in this program that explores an instrument made from a ram’s horn, that is heard around 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, and as inspiration for many classical composers. ...
Holiday Fireworks with Robbie Ellis
July 4, 2019, 9:00 pm
In honor of Independence Day, join host Robbie Ellis for a stirring evening of electrifying classical music, including works by Sousa and Bernstein.
Recovering A Musical Heritage
May 1, 2019, 8:00 pm
Join host James Conlon on an exploration of music from a lost generation of composers silenced, imprisoned, or killed under the Third Reich. He will illuminate the stories and legacies of composers including Alexander von Zemlinsky, Franz Schreker, Victor Ullmann, and Erwin Schulhoff, in a special program to celebrate this rich, revived musical heritage. WFMT is airing this special in ...
A Musical Feast for Passover with Itzhak Perlman
April 22, 2019, 10:00 pm
The springtime Jewish holiday of Passover is about liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. In this one-hour special, superstar violinist Itzhak Perlman shares Passover music from many traditions, plus songs and memories from his childhood in Israel. The program draws its shape from the Passover seder and, like that ancient family ritual, the music gets progressively giddier as the show ...
Rising Stars in Concert from the Ryan Opera Center
April 14, 2019, 7:00 pm
Join us for Rising Stars in Concert, a showcase performance starring Ensemble members of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Christopher Allen. Rising Stars in Concert is the culminating event in the residency of the 2018/19 Ensemble. Description courtesy of Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Recovering A Musical Heritage
January 27, 2019, 7:00 pm
The host, conductor James Conlon, will discuss and sample music by composers suppressed, imprisoned, or killed during the Nazi Holocaust. We’re airing the program in honor of the UN’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and we’ll replay it tomorrow evening, Monday, January 28 at 10:00 pm.
From Vienna with Love: The New Year’s Concert
January 1, 2019, 10:00 am
Conductor Christian Thielemann takes the podium at the Vienna Musikverein for the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual New Year’s concert, a program of music from the Strauss family. For more information, visit the Vienna Philharmonic’s website.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Music of the Baroque
December 14, 2018, 12:00 pm
From the heaven-storming timpani of the opening chorus, the Bach's Christmas Oratorio unfolds with moving arias and inspiring chorales — performed with the power and passion by Chicago's Music of the Baroque.
Celebrate 125 Years of the Art Institute of Chicago with WFMT! An Art-Inspired Morning of Music on Dec. 8
December 8, 2018, 7:00 am
WFMT is proud to celebrate the Art Institute of Chicago’s 125th anniversary – here’s to 125 more years of great art!
Sound the Shofar: An Ancient Instrument in Modern Times
September 17, 2018, 10:00 pm
Discover the sounds of the shofar, in this program that explores an instrument made from a ram’s horn, that is heard around 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, and as inspiration for many classical composers. ...