Stories

two young people in historic dress perform a traditional dance on a sunny day

Once banned by communists, Poland’s stately 18th century dance garners UNESCO honors

“It is a very simple dance… but at the same time it has an exceptional soul and one can express emotions in it in an exceptional way.”

Zell Music Director Riccardo Muti conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Todd Rosenberg)

Michael San GabinoJanuary 28, 2020

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Announces 2020-2021 Season

Louise FrankJanuary 28, 2020

From 1-9: Your Guide to Beethoven’s Symphonies

Keegan MorrisJanuary 24, 2020

2020 Grammys: Nominated Artists Featured on WFMT

Enrique Mazzola on Returning to the Stage, Taking the Reins at Lyric

George PrestonSeptember 30, 2021

Mazzola speaks with WFMT general manager George Preston about returning to live performance, Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth, Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, and what he loves most about being a Chicagoan.

Cleveland Orchestra to get $50M grant from Mandel Foundation

Associated PressSeptember 30, 2021

The grant amounts to the largest gift in the orchestra's 103-year history.

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Teddy Abrams and Jim James classical crosover

Playlist: Dispelling the Stigma of the Classical Crossover

Daniel GoldbergJanuary 23, 2020

The classical crossover has not always had the best reputation, but there's no shortage of ambitious, energizing takes on genre-mixing. Composer and conductor Teddy Abrams, who collaborated with indie-rocker Jim James on a recent album, breaks down the perils and payoffs of the crossover.

Video: Piano Works of Beethoven, Liszt, and Debussy by Christopher Goodpasture

Keegan MorrisJanuary 23, 2020

From beneath the glistening Tiffany Dome of the Chicago Cultural Center, pianist Christopher Goodpasture shared works of Beethoven, Liszt, and Debussy to a full audience.

Detroit orchestra names Jader Bignamini next music director

Associated PressJanuary 22, 2020

The century-old orchestra on Wednesday announced a six-year contract with Bignamini, starting with the 2020-21 season. He will lead a three-concert home stand this weekend at Orchestra Hall.

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff