WFMT Classical Conversations: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

WFMT hosted Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s Orbert Davis and Mark Ingram, who discussed Davis’s Emmy-winning score for WTTW’s DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis, their love of jazz, and more.

WFMT’s Classical Conversations: ‘Becoming Frederick Douglass’ & ‘Harriet Tubman Visions of Freedom’

Grammy-winning conductor, pianist, and composer Charles Floyd and award-winning baritone Robert Sims reflect on the importance that Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass placed on spirituals as a beacon for freedom.

Video: James Conlon & Johnny Gandelsman Reflect on Music of the Holocaust

WFMT interviews conductor James Conlon, a tireless advocate for composers silenced by the Nazi regime, and musician Johnny Gandelsman, who produced the soundtrack to ‘The US and the Holocaust.’

WFMT Classical Conversations: Dr. C. Charles Clency

WFMT presenter LaRob K. Rafael interviews Dr. C. Charles Clency, music educator, author, and the last accompanist of Mahalia Jackson.

Watch WFMT Classical Conversations: Benjamin Franklin and Music

In connection with Ken Burns’ newest documentary, WFMT interviews Ellen Cohn, editor-in-chief of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin and actor and historian Mitchell Kramer, who has been portraying Franklin for more than a decade.

WFMT’s Classical Conversations With Pianist Norman Malone and the Creators of the ‘For the Left Hand’ Doc

At the tender age of 79, Norman Malone made his orchestral debut. We welcomed him to our Classical Conversation series to hear his incredible story.

Watch WFMT’s Classical Conversation With ‘Approaching Ali’ Composer D. J. Sparr and Star Soloman Howard

Ali was among the most important, most charismatic, most unique figures in American (not just sports) history. So how do you adapt the monumental life of the People’s Champion into an opera?

Watch WFMT’s Latest Classical Conversations With Jessie Montgomery

“Whenever people buy a ticket to a concert, they’re committing to a shared experience…” composer, violinist, and educator Jessie Montgomery reflects.

Watch WFMT’s Classical Conversations With Marin Alsop

One of the world’s leading conductors, Marin Alsop was in 2020 appointed the principal conductor and curator of the Ravinia Festival. WFMT was honored to speak with the celebrated conductor in the latest installment of our Classical Conversations series.

Watch WFMT’s First ‘Classical Conversation’ With Denyce Graves

Denyce Graves was the perfect guest to launch WFMT’s new digital series! The celebrated mezzo-soprano discusses her career, her relationship with the late Justice Ginsburg, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the opera world.