Composer and tenor Steve Wallace says the first time he heard the Nas song “Undying Love,” the final track on the rapper’s 1999 album I Am . . ., “I immediately saw it as a verismo one-act with chamber orchestra, but I stored it away for a later time.” It wasn’t until 2014, when Wallace […]
Tag: WFMT
Posted inMusic
Remembering Triad Radio, where the usual was unusual
Triad Radio, Chicago’s pioneering experiment in commercial free-form radio, left the airwaves in 1977. Now longtime program director Saul Smaizys is moving its archives online.
Posted inCity Life
The Reader’s stay-at-home chronicles: day 67
What we’re reading, watching, listening to, etc., to pass the time.
Posted inMusic
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico turns Chicago schoolkids into chart-busting stars
The Mariachi Heritage Foundation has partnered with CPS to create a student band that’s already played Kennedy Center, toured internationally, and opened for the likes of Lila Downs and Los Lobos.
Posted inBlogs
WFMT boss Steve Robinson signs off today
The classical music station’s general manager leaves after 16 years at the helm.
Posted inMusic
George and Gerry Armstrong were Chicago’s first family of folk in the 50s and 60s
Folk-music power couple George and Gerry Armstrong helped launch the Old Town School and the University of Chicago Folk Festival.
Posted inBlogs
Celebrate the life of critic Andrew Patner tonight at Orchestra Hall
Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera Orchestra play in honor of the classical music critic.
Posted inBlogs
Critic and ‘gregarious loner’ Andrew Patner passes away at 55
The local culture critic dies suddenly
Posted inBlogs
When you call someone a jagoff, what exactly are you trying to say?
A thoughtful debate about jagoffs.
Posted inArts & Culture
Our guide to Let’s Get Working, a tribute to Studs Terkel
The U. of C. pays tribute to Studs Terkel with a weekend-long festival of readings, screenings, and notable appearances.
Posted inMusic
The Secret History of Chicago Music: Rob Riley & Domenic Bucci
SNL alumnus Rob Riley and coconspirator Domenic Bucci cut a novelty record about the 1979 blizzard.
Posted inMusic
In Rotation: Rebecca Valeriano-Flores of Negative Scanner on time traveling with the Fall
Current musical obsessions of Rebecca Valeriano-Flores of Negative Scanner and composer Estlin Usher
Posted inBlogs
Contemporary classical music on your radio all day today at WFMT
WFMT devotes a full day to classical music of the last 25 years.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
Rick Kogan might be sentimental—just don’t call him a sentimentalist
Rick Kogan might be sentimental—just don’t call him a sentimentalist.
Posted inMusic
Three Beats: The first Thirsty Ear
A new-music festival at the Bottle, plus new albums from death-metal pioneers Master and DJ-producer Tony Trimm