Stories

Opera’s Newest Voice: Meet Debra Lew Harder, the New Host of the Met Broadcasts

After nearly two years, Metropolitan Opera live broadcasts are back. With their revival comes the arrival of a new host: Debra Lew Harder.

Stephen Raskauskas | September 10, 2018

The Surprising True Origins of Gershwin’s Classic ‘Summertime’

Keegan Morris | September 7, 2018

Hear music inspired by some of Chicago’s most extraordinary buildings

Keegan Morris | September 7, 2018

How Chicago Cubs Organist Gary Pressy Made It to the Big Leagues

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

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Announces 2020-2021 Season

Michael San Gabino | January 28, 2020

The CSO’s 130th season begins on September 17 with a free concert for Chicago at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

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

Louise Frank | January 28, 2020

Beginning January 28, WFMT will broadcast Beethoven's nine symphonies on weekdays as the 2:00 pm “Afternoon Masterwork.” The performances feature the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. Its founder and conductor, Sir John Elliot Gardiner, shares his guide to these symphonic masterpieces.

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How a Bach Minuet Got a Motown Makeover

Stephen Raskauskas | September 4, 2018

Bach’s Minuet in G major from the Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach is famous enough today that you may have had it as your cell phone ringtone. One arrangement, recorded by a '60s girl group called The Toys, was a #1 single in the US and reached #5 on the UK Global charts.

Playlist: Classical Music for Pumpkin Spice Season That’s Anything but Basic

Stephen Raskauskas | August 31, 2018

While we all love the classics like the “Autumn” concerto from Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons," here are some works that are a little less… common to cozy up with this fall.

Quiz: Which Mozart Opera Are You?