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.

Playlist: Classical Music for Weddings (That’s Not Pachelbel’s Canon)

If you’re looking to add a classical touch to your nuptials, but would like to avoid the ubiquitous “Canon,” we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite pieces to match the mood of each moment in the ceremony.

Playlist: 10 Handel Operas Everyone Should Know

This article was originally published on February 23, 2016.

Playlist: 8 Classical Composers Who Were Cuckoo for Cuckoos

Few birds have inspired more composers than the cuckoo. Lisa Flynn selects some of her favorite works inspired by the cuckoo, from intimate chamber works to grand symphonies.

Playlist: 10 Classical Works to Put a Little Spring in Your Step

Composers have been inspired by all aspects of nature, and the changing of the seasons is no exception. As the weather warms up and the birds begin to chirp, here are some classical works to put a little spring in your step.

Playlist: Classical Music To Tug at Your Heart Strings

If you’re looking to set the mood this Valentine’s Day, here are 10 favorite romantic works that are sure to tug are your heart strings.

Playlist: 10 Finnish Composers You Should Know (Who Aren’t Jean Sibelius)

Osmo Vänskä, the Finnish music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, shared 10 Finnish composers that everyone should know who aren’t Sibelius.

Playlist: 2017’s Best Classical Christmas Recordings

These nine recordings are sure to make your spirits bright this holiday season.

Playlist: Opera’s Most Ghastly Ghouls, Ghosts, and Goblins

The opera house can be a scary place – and we’re not talking about all those crazy singers and their shenanigans backstage! Many operas contain ghastly ghouls, ghosts, goblins, witches, dragons, and all kinds of crazy creatures. Here are some of the most frightening pieces from the history of opera.

Playlist: Classical Music to Rattle Your Bones on Día de Los Muertos

Day of the Dead is about honoring friends and family who have left us. Enjoy these 13 pieces as you celebrate Día de los Muertos and remember your loved ones.

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.

Playlist: Your Guide to Chopin’s Orchestral Works

Though Chopin did not compose many works for piano and orchestra — just six! — he kept them in his concert repertoire throughout his career.

Playlist: 10 Celestial and Astronomical Classical Works

Composers have long looked to the sky for inspiration. Here are some of our favorite classical works inspired by the moon and night.

Playlist: 12 Polish Composers You Should Know (Who Aren’t Chopin)

Everyone loves the music of Frédéric Chopin, Poland’s most well-known composer. But, how many other Polish composers do you know?

Playlist: The Best Classical Music to Serve at Your Next Cookout

As you fire up the grill, we have the perfect soundtrack for you: some of our favorite American works, from classics like Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue to modern masterpieces like John Adams’ City Noir.

Playlist: 3 Latino “Mozarts” Classical Music Lovers Should Know

There are three Latino composers who have often been compared to Mozart. Two of them were called “Mozart” by their contemporaries:  Chevalier de Saint Georges, born in the French-Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in the 18th century and the 19th-century composer Spanish-Basque Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga. The third is the 20th-century Brazilian composer Camargo Guarnieri whose first name was actually Mozart! Learn …

Playlist: 10 Shakespeare-Inspired Operas You Should Know

If “Music oft hath such a charm / To make bad good, and good provoke to harm,” perhaps these 10 Shakespeare-inspired operas will charm you.

Playlist: 10 Composers Changing Classical Music (Who Also Happen to Be Women)

If you’re looking to expand your own repertoire, why not explore the music of living composers? Check out these 10 composers changing contemporary classical music today who also all happen to be women.

Playlist: Classical Music to Accompany Your Hanukkah

Host Maggie Reberg shares the music that’s captivated her imagination this Hanukkah.

Playlist: Classical Music to Enjoy During the Supermoon

Tonight’s full moon will be the biggest in 68 years since it will be at its closest point in relation to Earth’s orbit – 221,524 miles away. Why is it closer to Earth now? NASA’s website explains: “The moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical so sometimes it is closer and sometimes it’s farther away. When the moon is full as …

Batter Up! 10 Tunes to Enjoy Between Baseball Innings

Got baseball on the brain? You’re definitely not alone! Here are some tunes you can enjoy in between innings this baseball season.

Playlist: 10 of Former WFMT Music Director Andi Lamoreaux’s Favorite Musical Works

As WFMT’s Music Director, Andi Lamoreaux got to share some of her favorite music with audiences around the world. Here are some of her favorite pieces and performers, along with suggested recordings.

Playlist: 8 Chopin Recordings Every Music Lover Should Own

If you love the music of Frédéric Chopin and are looking to expand your recording collection, here are a few albums you might want to consider. These 8 recordings feature 8 different pianists performing 8 different genres, giving you an appreciation for the diversity of Chopin’s works and the musicians who perform them.

Playlist: 15 Classical Works to Help You Fall into Fall

Need some music to help you warm up this fall? We’ve got the perfect soundtrack.

Playlist: 10 Lesser-Known Violin Concertos You Should Hear Right Now

For every cherished Beethoven or Tchaikovsky violin concerto, there’s a concerto by Szymanowski or a Berwald that deserves some more love!