Every Tree Speaks: Habbi, Brahms, & Schumann

In an ode to the wonder of our natural world, this program ponders fate, resolve, and reverence.

George Benjamin’s Picture a Day Like This

A universal tale with moving colors, where the flow of music follows the flow of life; an initiatory fable on human nature and self-discovery.

Dudamel Leads Beethoven and Smith

Experience the exhilaration of Beethoven’s dance Symphony, his Seventh, and a new cello concerto by Gabriella Smith.

Music and Conversation with Osvaldo Golijov

A conversation with the Grammy award-winning Argentine composer.

Elim Chan & Leila Josefowicz

Josefowicz takes on Thomas Adès’ “Concentric Paths” Violin Concerto. The high-powered Elim Chan leads music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Clarice Assad.

Listening Party with Jessie Montgomery

On this week’s episode of Sounds Classical, Kristina and LaRob sit down for an informal Listening Party with composer, violinist, and CSO Mead Composer in Residence, Jessie Montgomery. She shares her musical inspirations and gives some insight into the life of a composer. She also shares music she wishes she composed herself and talks with us about the use of …

Contemporary American Composers

This week features pieces from a newly released recording from the CSO Resound label. Riccardo Muti conducts the broadcast.

Adams’ Nixon in China

From Paris Opera, hear a star-studded cast that includes Thomas Hampson as Richard Nixon and Renée Fleming as Pat Nixon, with John Matthew Myers as Chairman Mao.

Prominent Finnish Composer Kaija Saariaho Has Died, Aged 70

Saariaho’s compositions melded live performance and electronics, winning recognition and securing commissions from numerous leading organizations.

Morlot Conducts Ravel and Higgins

Ludovic Morlot conducts Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and the world premiere of a concerto written by and starring Timothy Higgins, the orchestra’s principal trombonist.

50 Years of COT: Anniversary Season Boasts Shostakovich, Heggie, Premieres, and More

Three mainstage operas, three additional special events, and all six titles are Chicago premieres.

Third Coast Percussion

The Grammy-winning, Chicago-based ensemble pays WFMT a visit.

Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto dies at 71

Sakamoto was a pioneer in electronics music of the late 1970s.

Nicholas Lloyd Webber, son of famed composer, dies at 43

The Grammy-nominated composer, record producer and eldest son of Andrew Lloyd Webber, died Saturday in England after a protracted battle with gastric cancer and pneumonia.

Sounds Classical: Taiwo Adegoke

When we think of classical repertoire, we often think of works that come from western countries like Germany, Italy and France. But what about Western Africa? LaRob K. Rafael and Kristina Lynn sat down with Nigerian composer, arranger and classical guitarist, Taiwo Adegoke to talk about his contributions to the canon… and how he’s ensuring his country and classical guitar …

Listening Party: WFMT’s New Show Prizes Fresh Perspectives on Classical Music Sounds

“It’s just something you don’t often hear in classical settings. The music ends and we’re laughing. The music ends and we’re singing.”

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.

How Classically Trained Navajo Pianist & Composer Connor Chee Weaves His Sound

“The more I studied music, the more I saw the similarities between weaving and what I do.”

Japanese avant-garde pioneer composer Ichiyanagi dies at 89

Ichiyanagi studied at The Juilliard School in New York and emerged a pioneer, using compositional techniques that incorporated traditional Japanese elements and electronic music.

Renowned jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis has died, age 87

The Chicago born and based Lewis was revered in jazz circles for hits like “The In Crowd” and “Hang on Sloopy.” He earned three Grammys and seven gold records.

From 2015: Ramsey Lewis On His Long Overdue CSO Debut

WFMT spoke to the Chicago-born Lewis in 2015, when, at the age of 80, his music received its first CSO performance.

The Sounds of Chicago in a Festival of Art Song and Vocal Chamber Music

“We’re celebrating the spirit of the city and taking a moment for some musical civic pride!”

U2, George Clooney, Amy Grant among Kennedy Center honorees

Eight-time Grammy-winning singer Gladys Knight and acclaimed Cuban-born American composer Tania León are also among the honorees.

Playlist: 13 Canadian Composers You Should Know

Americans, get to know the music of our neighbors to the north with this curated playlist.

Mason Bates Takes Us Inside the Orchestra, Literally, In New Concerto, Film

“One of the great things about the orchestra is that it is always evolving…”

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