Salonen & Kuusisto

Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to the CSO podium for Ravel’s Mother Goose, Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements, and a 2021 concerto by Bryce Dessner.

10 Chicago Musical Events for Halloween 2022

Some of the most intriguing, spine-curdling, and spirited musical events all around the Chicago area.

Playlist: Classical Fire and Flames

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

These Quotes From Classical Composers Will Make You Fall in Love With Music All Over Again!

Not only are these composers’ musical works an inspiration, but their words are, too! Here are some of the most beautiful insights you’ll read all day.

Lyric Cancels 2020-21 season

Among the canceled 2021 productions are Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; and Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, as well as a concert tribute to music director Sir Andrew Davis, who concludes his 20-year tenure at the end of this season.

Playlist: Electrifying Classical Music Fireworks

With many of the major annual fireworks displays on hold this year because of COVID-19, WFMT is bringing you the fire with a curated playlist of pyrotechnic music.

Odysseys of Movement, Music in Joffrey Program

Culminating in “The Times Are Racing” by choreographer Justin Peck, Joffrey’s mixed-rep program features “ballet, contemporary, comic, and a ‘sneaker ballet,’” artistic director Ashley Wheater describes.

3 Fresh Musical Events for Your Weekend!

We’re getting ready to share our Summer Music Guide (keep an eye out for it next week), but here are three events happening this weekend, each of which combine or reimagine classical music and dance, that we wanted to be sure to tell you about. The Rosina Project It’s Rossini like you’ve never heard him before. Chicago Fringe Opera teams …

Classical Music Grammy Award Winners: 2019

On February 10, some of the biggest names in the music industry convened at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles. R&B and soul singer Alicia Keys hosted the ceremony, as winners were announced in 30 fields and 84 categories. Here are the nominees and winners for the classical music categories.

Joffrey Ballet Announces 2019/20 Season

The season features four Chicago premieres and the return of two reimagined staples.

6 of the Most Famous Classical Music Feuds Between Composers

The history of music is full of friendships and feuds. These composers certainly had complicated relationships. What are your favorite composer clashes?

Playlist: 18 Underrated Concertos We Should Hear More Often

What makes a piece popular? How does a piece survive its first few performances? What makes something a warhorse, played over and over again, easily marketed from decade to decade? Who decides what’s good, anyway? Here are 18 underrated concertos – ones that don’t get played all that much, but maybe should be more widely known.

6 Composers Who Immigrated to the United States and Called Los Angeles Home

Ever since its founding, the United States of America has been a melting pot of peoples. Here are 6 composers who came to the United States and called Los Angeles their home.

Playlist: 20 Works That Inspire CSO Composers-in-Residence Elizabeth Ogonek, Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams and Elizabeth Ogonek shared 20 modern and contemporary works that have most inspired them in celebration of 20 years of CSO’s MusicNOW series.

Riccardo Muti and Chicago Symphony dedicate Florida concert to victims of school shooting

“The musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and I extend our condolences to the families of the victims of today’s tragedy.”

Playlist: 31 Freaky and Frightening Classical Works to Haunt Your Halloween

Whether you’re looking for spooky music as you wait for trick-or-treaters, or you need some music to accompany your own “danse macabre,” we have your perfect Halloween soundtrack.

Grant Park Music Festival Announces 2017 Season

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.

CSO Announces Program Change, Dutoit to Conduct U.S. Premiere of Newly-Discovered Stravinsky Work, “Funeral Song”

In April 2017, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will perform a newly-discovered work by Stravinsky, Funeral Song, in concerts led by Charles Dutoit.

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

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.

Mystery Writer Sara Paretsky’s 5 Favorite Pieces of ‘Mysterious’ Classical Music

Chicago-based author Sara Paretsky is known for her crime and detective novels, but what may be less well-known is that Paretsky is a longtime fan of classical music.

Why Composer Max Richter Wants To Put You to Sleep

Composer Max Richter wants people to doze off during his latest composition, SLEEP, which he calls an “8-hour lullaby.”

Playlist: 10 Pieces That Changed the World

Pieces of music that turned the art form into something it hadn’t seen.