Stories

Ned Rorem, prize-winning composer and writer, dies at 99

Time once called Rorem “the world’s best composer of art songs,” and he was notable for his hundreds of compositions for the solo human voice.

Galilee AbdullahSeptember 13, 2017

Video | Hear the Young Mariachi Ensemble from Chicago That’s Topping Charts and Winning Hearts

Stephen RaskauskasSeptember 13, 2017

Video | Watch Two of the World’s Best Tabla Players (Who Also Happen to Be Father and Son)

Michael San GabinoSeptember 8, 2017

Baroque Music Flourishes in the Gardens of William Christie

2020 Grammys: Classical Music Nominees and Winners

Keegan MorrisJanuary 24, 2020

“Music’s biggest night” is right around the corner, and the classical music community has a lot to look forward to at the 2020 Grammys.

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.

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From 17th Century Spectacle to Contemporary Classics, a First Look at Chicago’s Fall Opera Season

Stephen RaskauskasAugust 30, 2017

Whether you’re new to opera or consider yourself a connoisseur, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this fall in Chicago. Here are four operas we are excited to see in the coming months.

We tested earbuds ranging from $9.99 to $999.95 to find the best pair for listening to classical music. Here’s what we found.

Mary MazurekAugust 28, 2017

Earbuds, earphones, in-ear monitors. There are a lot of products that allow you to listen to music on the go. But what makes them different and which ones are the best for your needs?

“I Remember Lenny” | On Bernstein’s 99th Birthday, Carl Grapentine Reflects on the Man and His Music

Carl GrapentineAugust 24, 2017

I grew up with Leonard Bernstein. No, I didn’t live anywhere near Lawrence, Massachusetts where he was born August 25, 1918. And he was more than thirty years older than I. But as a child growing up in the 1950s, I was the perfect age to enjoy The Mickey Mouse Club and Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts. I was 8 ...

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff