Stories

New Releases Feb 10: Revisiting

Albums that renew music of the past, from the practice of compline to one of the oldest operas by a Black American composer.

Man in white shirt holds clarinet

Keegan MorrisJune 17, 2025

New Releases Jun. 17: Clarinet, Richter, Mäkelä, Christie

The Juneteenth Flag over the Chicago skyline

Adela SkowronskiJune 16, 2025

Juneteenth Events and Performances 2025

yellow brass closeup of tuba valve

Katherine BuzardJune 12, 2025

The Evolution of the Orchestra: Brass

New Releases Aug. 26: Beethoven for Three, Shostakovich Symphonies

Adela SkowronskiAugust 26, 2025

The fourth installment in the beloved Beethoven for Three series by Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax, with a glimpse into the rarely heard works of Beethoven's contemporary Helene Liebmann. Plus, Joyce DiDonato as Dido, early student works by Shostakovich, and a composer who Paul Hindemith described as “the last giant of music."

Slushies and Sonatas: Chicago’s Newest Classical Venue Arrives

Adela SkowronskiAugust 21, 2025

ACM enters a new era with the 10th anniversary of the Thirsty Ears Music Festival, and a brand-new music venue where a 7-Eleven once stood.

Playlists

Playlist: 10 Pieces That Changed the World

young man in black suit in front of gold leafed wall

New Releases Jun. 10: Chopin, Shostakovich, Mayer, McKay

Keegan MorrisJune 10, 2025

Two album-length surveys of music by Chopin, plus unsung Shostakovich, and rep by two lesser-known composers: Emilie Mayer and George Frederick McKay. And an album of double bass repertoire.

Tony Awards laud android rom-com ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ and history-making ‘Purpose’

Associated PressJune 9, 2025

“Maybe Happy Ending” had a definite happy ending at the Tony Awards. The android rom-com won the best new musical crown Sunday on a night when Kara Young made history as the first Black person to win two Tonys consecutively.

Rachel Barton Pine Shreds in Heavy Metal-Inspired “Thrash”

Keegan MorrisJune 6, 2025

With a prized Megadeth tee and her lovingly adorned violin case, Rachel visited WFMT's studios to share a thrilling performance of heavy metal-inspired showpiece.