Wednesdays at 8:00 pm
Every week, a journey of music near or far!
Join WFMT for a wide-ranging series covering concerts and programs from partner organizations in Chicago, the US, and beyond, as well as exclusive interviews and playlists from WFMT presenters and guest artists.
Season Finale: Music and Conversation with Randall Goosby
June 7, 2023, 8:00 pm
The American violinist comes to WFMT to share his new album—a collaboration with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra that showcases violin concertos by Max Bruch and Florence Price.
Music and Conversation with Adolphus Hailstork
January 11, 2023, 8:00 pm
The renowned composer, pianist, and conductor joins host LaRob K. Rafael to discuss essential works, including two inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Music and Conversation with Blake-Anthony Johnson
January 4, 2023, 8:00 pm
Chicago Sinfonietta CEO Blake-Anthony Johnson previews upcoming performances and discusses the orchestra's move to the Auditorium Theatre
A Polish Christmas with Lira Ensemble
December 27, 2022, 8:00 pm
An introduction to Kolęda, or "grand" carols, and "shepherd" carols, plus Witold Lutosławski's Twenty Polish Carols performed by the Lira Ensemble.
A Mexican Christmas
December 20, 2022, 8:00 pm
Newberry Consort & EnsAmble Ad-Hoc's beloved annual concert.
Celebrating 50 Years of Canadian Brass
December 13, 2022, 8:00 pm
Friends Chuck Daellenbach and Gene Watts first came together in 1970 to form the quintet Canadian Brass. Daellenbach, the group's tubist and last remaining original member, reminisces about the ensemble's storied, now 50-year career.
Music of the Baroque
December 6, 2022, 8:00 pm
Music of the Baroque's October concert Baroque Heroes ranged from both chronological extremes of the Baroque era and one excursion into the Classical period.
A Chicagoland Holiday Preview
November 29, 2022, 8:00 pm
Grab your calendar and tune in for WFMT’s recommendations for the best choral concerts, Messiah's, Nutcracker's, and other seasonal favorites!
Music and Conversation with Raven Chacon
November 22, 2022, 8:00 pm
In May, composer, performer, and installation artist Raven Chacon became the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.
CSO MusicNOW
November 15, 2022, 8:00 pm
An overview of CSO MusicNOW, the orchestra's long-running new music series, featuring an interview with Jessie Montgomery, the CSO composer-in-residence and series' curator.
CSO & Joffrey Ballet
November 8, 2022, 8:00 pm
Ashley Wheater, artistic director of Joffrey Ballet, previews the upcoming performance featuring both Joffrey and the CSO (November 10-12). We sample some of the music of the collaboration, including Jean-Philippe Rameau, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel, and Richard Wagner.
Music and Conversation with Víkingur Ólafsson
November 1, 2022, 8:00 pm
The acclaimed Icelandic pianist's new album features works by JS Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, György Kurtág, Thomas Adès, and more.
The Warsaw Autumn Festival
October 25, 2022, 8:00 pm
The Warsaw Autumn Festival is the largest annual international Polish festival of contemporary music.
Music at Harris Theater for Music and Dance
October 18, 2022, 8:00 pm
A preview of the 2022-23 Harris Theater season.
Argentina and Roots of European Baroque with Rubén Dubrovsky
October 11, 2022, 8:00 pm
Rubén Dubrovsky traces the popular dances of the European Baroque back to Latin American and African roots.
The Reverón Trio at Music Institute of Chicago
October 4, 2022, 8:00 pm
The Reverón Trio performs at Nichols Concert Hall on behalf of the Music Institute of Chicago. Cellist Horacio Contreras, violinist Simón Gollo, and pianist Ana María Otamendi perform works by Ricardo Lorenz, Manuel Ponce, and Joaquín Turina.
UChicago Presents 2022-23 Season
September 27, 2022, 8:00 pm
Season overview with interim executive director Sarah Curran focusing on UChicago Presents’ classical, contemporary, and early music series. The 2022-23 features performances by Myriad Trio, Quatour Diotima, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Sergio and Clarice Assad with Marina Piccinini, pianist David Greilsammer, Blue Heron, The Crossing, and Jupiter. Hosted by Oliver Camacho. Preview an excerpt from Jupiter’s Vivaldi program below.
A Fiesta! Special with Elbio Barilari
September 20, 2022, 8:00 pm
A two-hour Fiesta! special to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Season Preview
September 13, 2022, 8:00 pm
Milwaukee music director Ken-David Masur: "Themes of new life, fresh air, and earth’s elements are relatable to all of us and connect us to each other."
Apollo’s Fire: Virtuoso Bach & Vivaldi
September 6, 2022, 8:00 pm
Apollo's Fire's concert featuring violinist Francisco Fullana performing music by Bach and Vivaldi.
National Youth Orchestra of the USA
August 30, 2022
Season Finale: The National Youth Orchestra of the USA, under the baton of Carlos Miguel Prieto, plays music by Silvestre Revueltas, José Pablo Moncayo, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Anna Clyne. Then, artists from the NYO2 Summer Intensive perform a piece by Florence Price under the baton of Mei-Ann Chen of the Chicago Sinfonietta.