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.

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.

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

After six years as music director, van Zweden’s will be the shortest tenure of anyone in a half-century.

Ahead of his Chicago Symphony Orchestra debut, conductor Teddy Abrams explains why classical music needs to reach out to young people and embrace other artforms — and explains how Leonard Bernstein was a role model for both of these missions.

In the Lakeview Neighborhood, the Legacy Walk, a series of ten 25-foot pylons, recognizes influential figures across genders, races, and fields.

One of the world’s leading conductors, Marin Alsop was in 2020 appointed the principal conductor and curator of the Ravinia Festival. WFMT was honored to speak with the celebrated conductor in the latest installment of our Classical Conversations series.

The New York Philharmonic has launched an on-demand video and audio streaming service Monday called NYPhil+.

Today, WFMT and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra announce the launch of an exciting new broadcast and streaming series.

Have you ever envisioned yourself leading a world-class orchestra? Take our quiz to learn which great conductor you are!

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.

Many composers have also answered the call of springtime’s riotous colors during this, the blooming season.

In the hour leading up to the premiere of the Ravinia Festival recording of Bernstein‘s MASS on PBS‘s Great Performances, we invite you to join us for this free panel.

Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who created hit musicals like Wicked and Godspell, was just 23 years old when he teamed up with Leonard Bernstein. In a video chat interview with WFMT’s George Preston, Schwartz recounts how he came to contribute to MASS, and what he learned from Bernstein.

The classical crossover has not always had the best reputation, but there’s no shortage of ambitious, energizing takes on genre-mixing. Composer and conductor Teddy Abrams, who collaborated with indie-rocker Jim James on a recent album, breaks down the perils and payoffs of the crossover.

Anniversaries make up many of the highlights of the CSO’s annual summer residency.

From its premiere more than 75 years ago, this music and ballet continue to speak to the American soul. Dive into the score of Appalachian Spring with Bill McGlaughlin.

Just because the school year is right around the corner doesn’t mean that you have to stop playing (or writing) music. As proof, here are 16 pieces from composers written when they were still students!

Summer is upon us! Whatever your plans, we have the perfect musical accompaniment: summery classical music selected by WFMT hosts and staff!

Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand,” the continued celebration of the music and influence of Leonard Bernstein, and four films accompanied by live orchestra await festivalgoers this summer at Ravinia, which released its 2019 summer schedule this morning.

The eighty-fifth annual season opens June 12 and will run through August 17, with most performances taking place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

The shofar, an instrument made from a ram’s horn, is heard in synagogues all over the world during the Jewish High Holidays. It has also been heard outside those confines for ages, as a call to battle, or a way for shepherds to summon their flocks.

Fiesta celebrates the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with a look at the maestro’s love for Latin American music. 

To celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday, WFMT and the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presented a pop-up performance of “Somewhere” from the composer’s beloved musical West Side Story. The event was broadcast live from the Legacy Walk in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood.

In celebration of the centenary of her father’s birth, Jamie Bernstein shares some of her favorite family photos – including a couple shared exclusively with WFMT.