The nametags waited as we arrived. Every guest wore one, each with the appellation: Philosopher. Ink martinis flowed. Patrons and writers mingled, all beneath the banner “Everyone’s a Philosopher.” This simple turn of phrase strikes at the essence of the Neighborhood Writing Alliance, recognizing the interchangeability of the ordinary and the extraordinary. Street kids–folks who more…
Archive for May, 2009
Messiaen Goes Math Rock
Friday, May 29, 2009 by Matt DeStefano
I caught a show at Schubas Tavern last week headlined by District 97, CSO cellist Katinka Kleijn‘s metal/math rock band. The group is currently finishing up their new studio record for which I will be attending a mixing session a week from today. I brought by recorder along and plugged into the sound board for more…
Red lentil clean-up in aisle 4
Monday, May 25, 2009 by Cydne Gillard
Yep. I spilled the red lentils and it wasn’t my first disaster of the day, just my biggest mess. Pounds of red lentils were everywhere. Bungle number two was the volume level on the wonderful conversation I recorded with Duain Wolfe, the CSO Chorus Director, about their new CSO ‘Resound’ release. These levels are easy more…
Do you have a question for Benjamin Luxon?
Friday, May 22, 2009 by George Preston
Ben Luxon, famed British Baritone, will be my guest on Wednesday at 4pm on 98.7. He’s coming to Chicago to see Chicago Opera Theater’s production of “Owen Wingrave,” as Benjamin Britten wrote that part for him, and he was the first to perform it. If you have any questions for Ben Luxon, just let me more…
Out of the Ashes
Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Noel Morris
My 13-year-old has a mind of his own. There are many things I’d like to do differently and many lessons still unlearned. But I don’t have the stomach to rag on him all the time, either. Goodness knows, he gives plenty of ammunition: “Pick up the wrapper.” “Yes, pick up BOTH socks.” “You’ve never worn more…
From one ordinary opera goer to another
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 by Louise Frank
All this month on WFMT we have been exploring the music and complicated personality of Richard Wagner. As comedic musicologist (or musicological comedian) Anna Russell so often said, Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelungs is “a magnificent work, providing you can making any sense out of it.” Here she is, in her farewell concert, explaining the more…
Happy Birthday, Studs
Saturday, May 16, 2009 by Louise Frank
Last week I met Jack Lane, a fabulous photographer, who kindly shared this wonderful photograph he took of Studs Terkel enjoying a martini at Riccardo’s. Happy 97th birthday, Studs……… we miss you. Louise
Afternoon Music Quiz Update! Shhhhhh!
Friday, May 15, 2009 by Noel Morris
Here’s a little hint about next week’s Afternoon Music Quiz: all our questions will pertain to a single subject. As always, we’ll offer a lovely prize to the listener who can phone in the correct answer. While it wouldn’t be fair to tell you the nature of next week’s topic (woof!), I did let my more…
Igudesman and Joo
Monday, May 11, 2009 by Louise Frank
Rachmaninov Had Big Hands And Now…Mozart (Alla Molto Turca) The comedy team of IGUDESMAN & J00 provides a good example of what can happen when two really smart and funny guys meet as adolescents at one of the best music schools in the world, and then grow up (sort of) to embark on a performing more…
Tenors in Tandem in May
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 by Carolyn Paulin
I hope you have been enjoying our new feature for May – “Tenors in Tandem.” Each weekday morning, in the 9 AM hour, we are pairing two great tenors singing the same aria. It’s fascinating to hear both similarities and differences – for example, today we heard Richard Tauber sing “Dein is mein ganzes Herz” more…
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