“You could just take that first generation of migrants. You think about what came out of it musically. There is no genre that is untouched.”

Levin was one of the longest-serving trustees in the history of WTTW-WFMT, serving on the Board of Trustees for more than 47 years and as chair of the WFMT Radio Committee.

Who was the man behind history’s most famous “Renaissance Man?”

The original score for the upcoming Ken Burns documentary Leonardo da Vinci features 28 new compositions by  Caroline Shaw. The album features performances by the composer’s longtime collaborators Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion, and Roomful of Teeth as well as double bass player John Patitucci. David McMahon, one of the documentary’s directors, says “Caroline’s existing body of music—joyful, daring, at times …

During his reign in Chicago, Al Capone, who you may not know loved opera, was one of the city’s biggest jazz impresarios.

Honor Black artistry with an entire month of exciting musical events — operas, chamber concerts, jazz orchestras, broadcasts, and more!

Recognizing the Chicagoans, musicians, artists, and friends of WFMT who died this past year.

Marin Alsop reflects that “courage is important in leadership, but accountability is, too.”

From concerts to screenings to festivals to parades, there’s always something happening in and around Chicago for LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

With spellbinding aerial footage of Chicago, you’ll hear acclaimed artists playing wonderful, wintry classical music.

As we reflect on the year gone by, WFMT salutes the contributions of members of the arts community who died this past year.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin is one of classical music’s most exciting and intriguing figures. Get to know him through a streaming documentary.

Brennan was an active and engaged leader, serving on nearly every committee of the WTTW-WFMT board.

Grammy-winning conductor, pianist, and composer Charles Floyd and award-winning baritone Robert Sims reflect on the importance that Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass placed on spirituals as a beacon for freedom.

WFMT interviews conductor James Conlon, a tireless advocate for composers silenced by the Nazi regime, and musician Johnny Gandelsman, who produced the soundtrack to ‘The US and the Holocaust.’

Get a new view of summertime in Chicago… complete with some great classical music!

WFMT presenter LaRob K. Rafael interviews Dr. C. Charles Clency, music educator, author, and the last accompanist of Mahalia Jackson.

In connection with Ken Burns’ newest documentary, WFMT interviews Ellen Cohn, editor-in-chief of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin and actor and historian Mitchell Kramer, who has been portraying Franklin for more than a decade.

As we reflect on the year gone by, Classical WFMT salutes the contributions of members of the arts community who died this past year.

Never were Studs Terkel’s legendary gregariousness, curiosity, and generosity more evident on-air than when a comedian, comic actor, or humorist stopped by the studio.

The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871. Here’s some music that takes inspiration from flames.

Jennifer Dunnington creates emotions for a living. For Ken Burns’ latest film, Muhammad Ali, Dunnington, an Emmy-winning music producer and music editor, used music to convey emotions, introduce momentum, and ratchet up drama in the rink.

Ali was among the most important, most charismatic, most unique figures in American (not just sports) history. So how do you adapt the monumental life of the People’s Champion into an opera?

Matthew Polenzani, one of the artists performing at the Met’s Verdi Requiem commemorative concerts on the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, reflects on why music can help us heal.

“I had to think about the Roaring Twenties and music like Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, and so on, that Ida B. Wells [would have been] hearing.”