Stories

10 Jazzed Up Versions of Chopin Classics

Frédéric Chopin is one of the most beloved composers of all time. Here are 10 jazz versions of Chopin that will have you listening to old favorites with new ears.

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Sitarist Anoushka Shankar on Sexism, Collaboration, Her Return “Home” to the United States

Sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar has lived her life around the world. Born in London, a city she currently calls home, Shankar spent her formative years in England, India, and the United States. Touring first with her father Pandit Ravi Shankar and later as a solo artist, she has also called many other countries her temporary home. Before embarking on …

Violinist Jennifer Koh (Photo Juergen Frank)

Is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D “Unplayable”? Violinist Jennifer Koh Explains…

Violinist Jennifer Koh on what makes this piece such an enduring favorite, her own journey with the piece, and why the concerto was once considered “unplayable.”

Classical music for your wedding (that’s not Pachelbel’s Canon)

If you’re looking to add a classical touch to your nuptials, but would like to avoid the ubiquitous “Canon,” we’ve compiled a list some of our favorite pieces to match the mood of each moment in the ceremony.

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13 Chicago area arts and music events for a frightening and fun Halloween

Whether you’re looking for a hardcore horror flick or a family-friendly outing, this list has you covered for some of the Chicago area’s Halloween highlights!

Music acts as a translator, cultural bridge in Wang Lu’s Code Switch

“Maybe we’re getting used to being misunderstood… Hopefully, [through] music, we can be more open,” reflects Wang Lu. Her work, Code Switch, will have its world premiere to open the first MusicNOW concert of the CSO season.

Marcello Giordani, tenor of beauty and heft, dies at 56

Tenor Marcello Giordani, renowned for a voice of beauty and heft that made him a star at the world’s top opera houses, died Saturday. He was 56. Giordani had a heart attack following lunch at his home in Monte Tauro, a suburb of Augusta in Sicily, and could not be revived, his vocal coach, Bill Schuman, told The Associated Press. ...

‘Wow child’ is special guest of orchestra that inspired him

BOSTON (AP) — A boy who charmed the world by exclaiming “Wow!” at the end of a classical music performance was a special guest of the orchestra that inspired his delight. The Boston Globe reports 9-year-old Ronan Mattin, of New Hampshire, and his grandparents attended a dress rehearsal at Boston’s Symphony Hall on Thursday as the Handel & Haydn Society ...

Get kids excited about classical music with these 11 Chicago area schools and organizations

The school year is officially underway, and the sleepover requests and homework complaints have likely already started. Don’t fret, there are plenty of after-school options across the city that will keep students of all ages and interests engaged in music and off their phones … at least for an hour or two a week.

Placido Domingo resigns as general director of LA Opera

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Opera star Placido Domingo resigned Wednesday as general director of the Los Angeles Opera and withdrew from all future performances, following multiple allegations from women who say the legendary tenor sexually harassed them there and at opera companies around the country over a period of decades. Domingo’s departure from LA Opera raises questions about his future ...

Chicago Latino Music Festival celebrates its 14th year

The festival's artistic director Elbio Barilari, who also hosts WFMT’s Fiesta, remarked of the festival that "just the idea that a Latin American classical music festival exists in the US and has already been going on for 14 years is very exciting!”

Pianist Hélène Tysman plays works by Debussy, Bach, Chopin, and Ravel [Video]

On an overcast, early fall day, pianist Hélène Tysman shared a sensitive, illuminating performance of piano works by Bach, Debussy, Chopin, and Ravel for this Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert broadcast.

From 2014: Jessye Norman visits WFMT

WFMT is deeply saddened to learn that soprano Jessye Norman has died at age 74. As a tribute to her inspiring life and career, we are re-sharing this story from May 19, 2014, when Ms. Norman herself visited WFMT, treating audiences to an hour of music and conversation with host Kerry Frumkin and even reading an excerpt from her memoir.

Program Director David Polk shares his favorite musical memories from his 14 years at WFMT

After nearly 14 years at WFMT, David Polk has decided to move on. During his time, he's amassed a huge collection of music that he will always associate with the station. On his last day at WFMT, he wants to share with you just a few of the musical gems that he'll be taking with him in spirit.