A 639-year John Cage composition is about to have its next note change

On Feb. 5, 2024, another note is going to begin playing… this one will be relatively short; it will hang around for only the next two years.

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.

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.

Playlist: Classical Music for the Earth and Environment

Composers like Terence Blanchard, Ludovico Einaudi, Rachel Portman, and Lei Liang have brought light to the ongoing climate catastrophe through their music.

Playlist: 88 Piano Pieces for Piano Month

September is National Piano Month, so WFMT is sharing a supersized playlist – with one selection corresponding to each key on the keyboard.

Slow music: Chord change in Germany of 639-year organ piece

Hundreds of fans attended a special kind of musical happening at a church in Germany: a chord change in an organ piece that is supposed to last for an entirety of 639 years.

How legendary pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque found freedom through new music

Katia and Marielle sat down to share their passion for rarely-performed gems, their love of new music, and how living composers have helped them find the freedom that fuels their artistry.

10 Composers Who Surprised Us With Their Hidden Talents

Though we tend to remember our favorite composers for their music first and foremost, many of them were virtuosic in more ways than one.

6 Unforgettable Composer Friendships

Whether bosom buddies or esteemed colleagues, there’s no doubt that these composers enjoyed genuine friendships that would influence their personal and professional lives.

Video: How A 440 Became Standard Concert Pitch

Surprisingly, Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood is at the center of this musical standard.