Stories

Klaus Mäkelä To Head Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw Orchestra

Klaus Mäkelä, a 26-year-old Finnish conductor, will become chief conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam for the 2027-28 season as part of a 10-year commitment.

Stephen RaskauskasNovember 23, 2016

North Shore Guitarist Adam Levin Brings Music to Mexican Community Founded Atop Former Landfill

Stephen RaskauskasNovember 22, 2016

This Black MIDI Version of “Let It Go” Is More Terrifyingly Difficult Than Any Liszt Piece

Stephen RaskauskasNovember 16, 2016

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

Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes on revisiting a beloved 150-year-old concerto to open the CSO season

Keegan MorrisSeptember 19, 2019

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-20 season will start with a much-loved concerto in a performance by two artists picking up the piece for the first time in a while. In a phone interview with WFMT, pianist Leif Ove Andsnes says that he hasn’t played the Grieg piano concerto in more than a decade. And according to Andsnes, Riccardo Muti says ...

Valuable Vinyl: How to Care for Your Prized Classical LPs

Mary MazurekSeptember 16, 2019

The multisensory ritual of listening to a vinyl record transcends any digital playlist. And whether they're new or vintage, you’ll want to make sure that your prized classical albums are well cared for.

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VIDEO: “A Shot of Malört” Is the Song Every Chicagoan Needs to Hear

Stephen RaskauskasNovember 11, 2016

Two of the most famous songs about the Windy City have been recorded by Frank Sinatra: “Chicago” and “My Kind of Town.” WFMT host Robbie Ellis has composed his own Chicago song, “A Shot of Malört,” that he shared during the station’s first Classical Cabaret, hosted at the Uptown Underground nightclub and broadcast live. For those who aren’t familiar, Jeppson’s ...

Pianist Mary Sauer Retires from Chicago Symphony Orchestra After 57 Years of Service

Michael San GabinoNovember 8, 2016

Sauer began her long tenure with the CSO in 1959 when Music Director Fritz Reiner invited her to perform with the orchestra. During the 1967-68 season, Music Director Jean Martinon officially added her to the roster. She was named principal piano at the start of the 2000-01 season.

Members of Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles perform at the Halftime Show of Super Bowl 50 with Coldplay's Chris Martin (Photo: Arnie Papp)

6 Times Orchestras Scored at Major Sporting Events

Dorian NicholasNovember 4, 2016

Memorable performances by orchestras at recent sporting events.

Exploring Music