75th Annual Elgin Symphony Orchestra Season Announced

Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Beethoven, and other high-flying orchestral highlights mark the ESO’s 75th anniversary season.

Playlist: Classical Music for Cooking

Much like a gourmet dish, classical music is the result of many individual elements coming together. The composer, like a chef, must know the distinct flavor profiles of each instrument and how they complement each other.

Malcolm Sargent conducts Vaughan Williams

A survey of live performances of music by Ralph Vaughan Williams led by legendary British conductor Malcolm Sargent.

Little Traveling Music, Please

Wanderers, farewells, and sightseeing; people are always on the go. This week, Bill calls up, “A Little Traveling Music, Please” from the pens of Handel, Smetana, Duke Ellington, and more. Reflections from such travels infuse themselves into their works, as we will discover throughout the week. We will hear selections from Beethoven’s Les Adieux, Schubert’s Die Schöne Mullerin, and Haydn’s …

Kim Fleuchaus, flute and Heidi Mayer, piano

Kerry Frumkin welcomes flutist Kim Fleuchaus and pianist Heidi Mayer for a program that includes music by Lili Boulanger and William Grant Still.

Memorial in Song with John Brancy and Peter Dugan

A program for Memorial Day to honor those whose lives have been forever changed by war, including songs written by composers and poets who were soldiers themselves.

Masterworks for Organ and String Orchestra

Maestro Emanuele Andrizzi leads the Chicago College of Performing Arts Chamber Orchestra in music by Mendelssohn, Poulenc, and Vaughan Williams.

Anthem for Charles III’s coronation written by Lloyd Webber

The work by Lloyd Webber is one of a dozen new pieces Charles commissioned for the grand occasion taking place May 6 at Westminster Abbey.

Music for Her Majesty: Important Musical Moments in the Life of Queen Elizabeth II of England

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. In memoriam, we take a look at the royal monarch’s life through a musical lens…

Playlist: Classical Coffeeshop

A rich blend of music for calm, conversation, and of course, caffeine.

Playlist: 2021’s Top 9 Classical Christmas Albums

2021 was a tumultuous year for us all, but one thing we could count on was some great music.

Memorial Day 2021 on WFMT

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

Playlist: Classical Music Inspired by Flowers and Nature

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

Playlist: Classical Music for an Abundant Autumn, Selected by WFMT

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!

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.

Grant Park Music Festival Announces 2018 Season

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

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.

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.