The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871. Here’s some music that takes inspiration from flames.

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

National anthems are some of the most iconic pieces of music from around the world. For this reason, they also contain some of the most interesting backstories.

Music of the Baroque today announced its plans for a 2021-22 season, the venerable Chicago area ensemble’s 51st.

All weekend long, WFMT will be honoring Memorial Day in music. Check out these highlights that you won’t want to miss.

Conductors are all but a given in symphonic performance today. Front and center, they provide a dynamic focal point for the audience while guiding the artistic experience onstage. But what if there were no conductor? Who would run the show? In chamber music, the artists themselves are usually tasked with determining the artistic interpretation and then communicating together to play …

In the gap between a languid summer and a long winter, there’s just enough room left for fall. It’s a season for transformation, comfort, reflection, and growth. In other words, it’s the perfect time to grab some cider, take in that brilliant fall foliage, and enjoy this playlist created for you by WFMT staff and hosts!

Beneath the Tiffany Dome of the Chicago Cultural Center, 18-year-old pianist Kimberly Han performed works by Bach, Haydn, and Chopin.

First prize winner at the 2015 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Israeli pianist Tomer Gewirtzman, artfully expresses style, sensitivity, and virtuosity at the keyboard. Watch his performance as part of the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts series.

The summer festival’s 2018 season of concerts runs for 10 weeks from June 13 to August 18.

Franz Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 collected dust for nearly 200 years in the National Museum in Prague before it became a staple of the cello repertoire. Music historians had always known of the concerto’s existence, thanks to Haydn’s diligent records: the work is included in both of his personal catalogues, dating it circa 1765.  Beyond those brief mentions, …

Get your cauldron brewing with works by Donizetti, Puccini, Haydn, Delibes, and more!

KAIA String Quartet joined comedian Robbie Ellis, singer Bethany Thomas, and storyteller Jack Zimmerman for the inaugural WFMT Cabaret at Uptown Underground. KAIA, WFMT’s first ensemble-in-residence, is dedicated to sharing Latin American culture through the medium of the string quartet.

Holy Name Cathedral is an architectural landmark in the heart of downtown Chicago. On February 17, 2017, the church opened its doors to another Chicago treasure, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

All Grant Park Music Festival concerts are free. WFMT will have several live broadcasts from the festival, including opening night and the Beethoven Ninth concerts. See a full listing of performances.

Time for a musical deep dive!

As we celebrate Haydn’s Birthday on the air, enjoy these fun facts about the composer from hosts and Haydn lovers Peter Van de Graaff and Carl Grapentine. Share your favorite facts about Haydn with us in the comments below. 1. Haydn was born the year George Washington was born (1732) and died the year Abraham Lincoln was born (1809). 2. …