Stories

Duain Wolfe of Chicago Symphony Chorus to Retire; WFMT GM Reflects on 25+ Years of Excellence

WFMT general manager George Preston shares his thoughts on the announcement that Duain Wolfe will retire as director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Stephen Raskauskas | November 30, 2016

CSO Announces Program Change, Dutoit to Conduct U.S. Premiere of Newly-Discovered Stravinsky Work, “Funeral Song”

Associated Press | November 29, 2016

Mahler manuscript sells for record $5.6 million in London

Stephen Raskauskas | November 28, 2016

Chicago Public Schools Reports Increased Access to Arts Education, Despite Statewide Budget Crisis

CSO Strike: Another round of failed talks, another round of canceled concerts

Keegan Morris | April 19, 2019

This week saw the breakdown of another negotiation session between the Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association on Tuesday, April 16, prolonging the strike that began just before midnight on March 10. A statement released by management says the musicians shared a “counter proposal to the Association’s last, best and final offer,” which had been delivered ...

Gautier Capuçon (Photo: Gregory Batardon)

French cellist Gautier Capuçon shares emotional performance outside of Notre-Dame

Keegan Morris | April 18, 2019

In a moving sidewalk tribute across the street from the cathedral, cellist Gautier Capuçon performed Gabriel Fauré’s Après un rêve as the fire was being subdued. In the video captured by Europe 1, the fire department can be seen across the street as they work to contain and extinguish the fire.

Playlists

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Watch WFMT Listener Favorite, Pianist Vera Gornostaeva, Play 12 Chopin Mazurkas

Stephen Raskauskas | November 16, 2016

One of Russia’s greatest pianists, Vera Gornostaeva, was virtually unknown outside of her native country for most of her career. She taught at the Moscow Conservatory, earned the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, had a popular television program, Open Piano, and trained dozens of prize-winning pianists. Yet for most of her life, she was never permitted to ...

How Choreographer Martha Graham Named Aaron Copland’s American Classic, “Appalachian Spring”

Stephen Raskauskas | November 14, 2016

Martha Graham Dance Company's Lloyd Mayor and Mariya Dashkina Maddux in "Appalachian Spring." (Hibbard Nash Photography) When you think of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, do you think of iconic American landscapes? Would it surprise you to know that one of America’s most iconic musical works got its name after it was composed? Appalachian Spring, though perhaps known best as an orchestral suite, was ...

Playlist: Classical Music to Enjoy During the Supermoon

Stephen Raskauskas | November 13, 2016

Tonight’s full moon will be the biggest in 68 years since it will be at its closest point in relation to Earth’s orbit – 221,524 miles away. Why is it closer to Earth now? NASA’s website explains: “The moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical so sometimes it is closer and sometimes it’s farther away. When the moon is full as ...

Saturday Afternoon Music with Jan Weller