Stories

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

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.

Stephen Raskauskas | July 10, 2015

“Gopher Tuna” — What ‘Carmina Burana’ Really Sounds Like

Hannah Edgar | June 25, 2015

15 Queer Composers You Should Know

Stephen Raskauskas | June 24, 2015

Signifyin’ in Song: How the Sounds of Slavery Changed Music Forever

Pinchas Zukerman around the time Isaac Stern brought him to New York to study at Juilliard, c. 1962 (Photo courtesy of the artist)

At 70, violinist Pinchas Zukerman reflects on his life in music

Louise Frank | August 9, 2018

Pinchas Zukerman around the time Isaac Stern brought him to New York to study at Juilliard, c. 1962 (Photo courtesy of the artist) Violinist, violist, conductor, music director, and educator Pinchas Zukerman celebrated his 70th birthday on July 16, 2018. Backstage at Ravinia, he spoke about his life in music and unwavering dedication to his craft with WFMT’s Louise Frank. ...

Cellist Anita Graef (Photo: Todd Rosenberg)

Anita Graef and Patrick Godon

Mary Mazurek | August 8, 2018

Soloist, chamber musician, and the CCM-CSO Diversity Fellow for University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Cincinnati Orchestra, cellist Anita Graef appears with pianist and artistic director of the International Chamber Artists, Patrick Godon. Their program includes works of Robert Schumann and Richard Strauss performed live from the Chicago Cultural Center for this Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert. A ...

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What If Nina Simone Had Been a Classical Pianist?

Stephen Raskauskas | June 9, 2015

Before Nina Simone became one of America’s most iconic jazz musicians, she wanted to have a career as a classical pianist.

Minnesota Orchestra To Perform Historic Concerts in Cuba

WFMT | May 14, 2015

On Friday, May 15, at 7:00 pm Central and running until 10:00 pm, WFMT will join American Public Media for a live broadcast from the Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba, featuring the Minnesota Orchestra. The Orchestra is joined by pianist Frank Fernández and two Cuban choirs in an all-Beethoven program that features the “Choral Fantasy” and the “Eroica” symphony. Osmo Vanska conducts. This performance and broadcast are the ...