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 …

“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.”

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

“It feels like I’ve been carrying this world with me for a long time.”

Birtwistle created daringly experimental music that sometimes tried the patience of listeners.

The renowned composer died in Krakow in March 2020 at the age of 86, but COVID-19 restrictions postponed a formal funeral service.

“I thought that this was a piece that needed good tunes. And also, because it’s a concerto, you have to have some fast music in there. There are parts where I’m like, ‘Okay, let’s let it rip.'”

An hour-long piece for baritone and orchestral septet, the work depicts with unrelenting intensity the horrors of war and the PTSD faced by many returning veterans.

The anniversary season will feature seven mainstage performances — including a holiday Messiah concert — all of which will be conducted by music director Stilian Kirov.

The Garden of the Finzi-Continis and Intimate Apparel both opened in the last week of January.

Plus a world premiere, Chicago-set take on ‘The Barber of Seville’ and the return of ‘West Side Story’

John Adams’ version of Antony and Cleopatra will have its world premiere on the opening weekend of the San Francisco Opera’s 100th season.

The season begins on June 15 with artistic director and principal conductor Carlos Kalmar leading music of Mozart, Wagner, and Price.

The opera had been scheduled for performances in late January, and according to Lyric, rehearsals were set to begin this week.

The staging follows the success of the composer Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones on the opening night of this season.

For this WFMT Bach to School Virtual Assembly, WFMT’s George Preston welcomed mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges and composer Shawn Okpebholo to discuss J’Nai’s stunning Habanera from Carmen and Shawn’s composition “Oh Glory.”

It was a rap song by Nas that directly influenced Chicago composer Steve Wallace’s newest chamber opera, Undying Love.