The series premiere conducted by Ken-David Masur.

Pierre-Laurent Aimard plays Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto, and Finnish conductor Eva Ollikainen concludes with the waltz-filled Der Rosenkavalier Suite.

We all came to love classical music in different ways. Here are some of the musical first loves of our WFMT listeners, in their own words.

Music by Richard Strauss and Anthony Cheung

The beloved American mezzo-soprano shares her passion for French mélodie and reminisces on one of her signature roles—Oktavian in Der Rosenkavalier

The world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic shares a program of Arnold Schoenberg and Richard Strauss.

Whether you are looking to rev up for the race or drown out the din, this playlist of cacophonous classical music is for you.

Conductor Philippe Jordan leads the ensemble in Strauss’s Salome, with Malin Byström in the titular role, alongside Gerhard Siegel (Herod), Wolfgang Koch (John the Baptist) and more.

Classical music can be nigh on impossible to find unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. Let us help!

More artistic peaks from the great conductor.

This week, we celebrate Byron Janis’s 95th birthday in Strauss’s Burleske in D Minor from a 1957 RCA recording and some of the guest soloists who have appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra over the years.

Esa-Pekka Salonen leads works by Richard Strauss, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Anders Hillborg in a recital featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman.

Concerts featuring Christine Brewer, Brandon Patrick George, and more. But with a music director to be named in the coming months, we will have to wait to see who will conduct them.

Violinist Julian Rhee is not yet 20 years old, but he’s already an in-demand artist, with appearances with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, and the San Diego Symphony under his belt.

Chicago native soprano Ailyn Pérez speaks to us about some of her favorite Latin American and Spanish music and shares a playlist of influential singers and music.

WFMT host Candice Agree has selected some of her favorite works of literature that have inspired musical compositions for you to enjoy on World Book Day.

It’s been a strange, difficult year for the music world, which is all the more reason to celebrate musical excellence.

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

WFMT is deeply saddened to learn that soprano Jessye Norman has died at age 74. As a tribute to her inspiring life and career, we are re-sharing this story from when Ms. Norman herself visited 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!

Richard Strauss’s Elektra is challenging, dramatic, and very, very bloody. This thrilling, one-act opera is based on an ancient Greek myth: Elektra seeks her sweet revenge on her mother for murdering her father. Lyric Opera of Chicago’s intense production features WFMT host Maggie Clennon Reberg. Go behind the scenes at Lyric, and be astonished as Maggie transforms in hair and makeup!

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.

With pianist Justina Lee, Wilson shared a selection from Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos and Weightless Dreams, a song cycle composed for Wilson based on the writings and experiences of women astronauts.

Though Larry primarily features CDs on his program, over several decades his collection has evolved into over 5,000 recordings, including LPs and original 78RPM discs dating back to 1901.

Looking back on his many years experiencing great music in Chicago, Carl shares some of his very favorite performances.