Stories

“Weird Al” Yankovic to make Ravinia Festival debut in July 2019

“Weird Al” is coming to Ravinia! Yankovic, the Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and satirist, will make his Ravinia Festival debut on July 28, 2019, as part of his Strings Attached tour. Subtitled “A Rock and Comedy Symphonic Experience,” the tour marks his first performances with a full orchestra in his more than 40-year career. At Ravinia, Yankovic will perform …

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6 of the most famous feuds between classical composers

The history of music is full of friendships and feuds. These composers certainly had complicated relationships. What are your favorite composer clashes?

Playlist | 11 Standout Classical Saxophone Pieces You Need to Hear

The saxophone is still seen as the new kid on the block in classical music. Invented in 1846 by Adolphe Sax, the saxophone came after composers like Mozart and Haydn, both of whom wrote for wind instruments. Though it seems like we can only count on our hands the number of times we see the saxophone in the concert hall — think of An American in Paris by Gershwin or Bolero by Ravel — the instrument does have a robust and diverse classical repertoire.

Nico Muhly scores with second commission from Met

NEW YORK (AP) — Ten years ago at age 27, Nico Muhly became the youngest composer ever to have a piece commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. “It was completely terrifying,” Muhly said of the offer from Met general manager Peter Gelb to write “Two Boys” for America’s leading opera house. As with any commission he gets, he said, “It’s not …

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Daniel Barenboim conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (Photo: Monika Rittershaus)

In his greatly anticipated return to Chicago, conductor Daniel Barenboim reflects on what the city has meant to his career

“In 1970, I was many things, but not an experienced conductor,” admitted Daniel Barenboim at a press conference at Symphony Center on October 29, 2018. “And therefore, for me to stand in front of the Chicago Symphony was an event of shattering importance. And I mean every syllable of that. And then to stay, and come so regularly [to work] ...

Aretha Franklin doc ‘Amazing Grace’ to finally see the light

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 46 years after it was shot, the Aretha Franklin concert film “Amazing Grace” is finally being released. The late gospel singer’s estate and film producers said Monday they have reached agreement on “Amazing Grace.” Sydney Pollack shot most of the footage that documented Franklin’s performance at a Los Angeles Baptist church in January 1972. ...

8 U.S. Presidents You Didn’t Know Were Musicians

Did you know that some of our nation’s leaders past and present could hold their own at a conductor’s podium? Regardless of their political party, many presidents from Jefferson to Nixon to Obama might all agree on one thing: music is important in our lives.

Hear Us showcases 3 young classical musicians who defy boundaries in order to collaborate and perform

“A lot of people say ‘prodigy’ to me, because they think I am good. ‘The 15-year-old prodigy.’ If someone has talent, if someone is good at what they do, they say prodigy. Personally, I don’t think that’s fair. People don’t get what is behind that one hour that you’re on stage. They don’t get that to be on that stage, ...

The Moulin Rouge, the famous French cabaret (Photo: Franck Vervial)

Wilkommen, Bienvenue, and Welcome to the Cabaret — Explore the first Chicago Paris Cabaret Connexion

When many of us think of cabaret, we picture Liza Minelli as Sally Bowles, a woman enraptured in the decadence of 1920s Berlin, in the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret. While that era helped define one aspect of the art form, singer Claudia Hommel intends to share its vast range in the first Chicago Paris Cabaret Connexion. This weeklong festival ...

Opera singer David Daniels denies sexual assault allegation

DETROIT (AP) — An opera singer and University of Michigan professor is denying sexual assault allegations levied against him in a federal lawsuit. David Daniels released a statement Wednesday saying the accusations “are both false and malicious,” and that he and the “individual mentioned” in the complaint never had a physical relationship. A student recently filed the lawsuit, alleging Daniels ...

Cello star Yo-Yo Ma to perform at WWI Armistice ceremonies

PARIS (AP) — Cello maestro Yo-Yo Ma will perform at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe as part of the ceremonies marking the centenary of the end of the World War I next month in Paris. Joseph Zimet, director of the First World War Centenary Mission, says Ma will headline a field of “great international artists” during the Nov. ...

Conductor Leslie Dunner shares his unexpected journey to music and the power of being well-rounded

Dr. Leslie Dunner, the newly-appointed conductor of the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra and the music director of the South Shore Opera Company of Chicago, never expected to be a conductor or a music educator. He never even planned to have a career in music. His first foray into music occurred by chance. In his elementary school days, his school administered ...

“Weird Al” Yankovic Plans Symphony Tour

(AP) — “Weird Al” Yankovic will add a classical element to his concerts next summer. Yankovic has announced he will perform with full symphony orchestras on his “Strings Attached” tour. He writes on Instagram he will bring back all the costumes, props and big video screen for his “most full-blown, over-the-top extravaganza ever.” Unlike this year’s “Ridiculously Ill-Advised Vanity Tour,” ...

You heard violinist Ryan Meehan 10 years ago on the first season of Introductions. Now, he’s performing with one of today’s leading chamber ensembles.

Now in its 10th season, WFMT’s Introductions, the Saturday morning program that highlights the finest pre-college musicians in the Chicago area, has given young artists a platform to have their talents and voices heard. Many students who appear on the program decide to study music at an early age, but Introductions alum Ryan Meehan discovered the violin by accident. “I ...