Remember album art? This was some of my favorite. These guys are my cousins.

Peter and Christopher Whorf

The deep and broad tradition of English classical music will resound this Friday on WFMT. Join us from 6a-7p for the pre-Baroque sounds of Holborne and Henry the Eighth to 20th century masters Britten, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Walton and much more. Our nod to the “wedding of the century” will also offer you the chance to win high tea at Chicago’s Palmer House Hotel, a royal pampering at Truefitt and Hill or fine tea and china from Upton Tea Imports. Wills and Kate, Orb and Sceptre and Pomp and Circumstance…Friday on 98.7 and wfmt.com. Visit the WFMT schedule for more details about Friday’s programming.

tea time with WFMT

We’ll have an interview soon with Anthony Freud, new Lyric Opera General Director.

Today’s press release from Lyric Opera:
Anthony Freud, widely recognized for his achievements as general director of both Houston Grand Opera (2006-present) and Welsh National Opera (1994-2005), will succeed William Mason as Lyric Opera of Chicago’s general director starting October 1, 2011.

In both positions Freud has been hailed for spearheading important artistic initiatives, impressive increases in attendance and fundraising, and visionary community-engagement programs to reach diverse new audiences.

Freud is the current chairman of Opera America and former chairman of Opera Europa. He has chaired the jury for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition (1995-2005) and was an executive producer for Philips Classics (1992-94), where he managed recording projects for some of the world’s leading classical artists.

Richard P. Kiphart, Lyric’s Board president and CEO, stated that Freud’s appointment had been unanimously approved by the Board’s executive committee and is expected to be ratified by the entire Board of Directors at 1:30 p.m. today.

Anthony Freud, 53, a native of London, takes over as Lyric’s general director effective Saturday, October 1 (opening night of Lyric’s 57th season), with a five-year contract that extends through the 2015-16 season. As general director designate, he will have regular involvement with Lyric through the month of September. Freud was chosen after an eight-month international search led by Lyric’s executive vice-president, Kenneth G. Pigott.

William Mason, 69, who announced his intention to retire last July, will continue to serve the company through the conclusion of the 2011-12 season. He becomes general director emeritus at the beginning of the 2011-12 season.

I’m really looking forward to a couple of next month’s special features…Chicago violinist, DePaul Professor and Artist of the Month Ilya Kaler and the weekday special Vintage Violin. We’ll hear most of Ilya Kaler’s many recordings, live performances, and a special guest-dj hour with Ilya spinning his favorite violin hits. He’ll also share some rarities from his personal collection to help us fill out our Vintage Violin special feature on weekdays at 9am.

WFMT’s April Artist of the Month plays music by our March Composer of the Month

We’ll celebrate J.S. Bach’s 326th on March 21st with a very special day that Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Brant Taylor put together for us – live performances of all six cello suites by members of the CSO. Not only that…we’ll have a special treat from marimbist, CSO percussionist Cynthia Yeh, as she leads off the set.

Here’s the lineup:
10am Cynthia Yeh/#1
11a Daniel Katz/#2
Noon Paula Kosower/#3
1pm Judy Stone/#4
2pm Brant Taylor/#5
3pm Ken Olsen/#6

Enjoy!

Brant will be joined by fellow CSO musicians in live performances of all 6 Bach cello suites this March 21st - Bach's birthday.

What better tribute to the timelessness of great music than to hear it featured as one of the shining stars of this year’s Hollywood “best picture”?

When it comes to movies, I’m always late to the party. As a father of four, I rarely see anything…for grownups. But a recent favorable alignment of the planets allowed for a date/movie night – and The King’s Speech was the hands down choice. Plus, all women love Colin Firth, so we had that going on.

On these rare movie occasions, I enter the theatre completely uninformed…beyond the basic story line and cast of characters. So I expected a bit of Britten, a dash of Delius or a pinch of Pomp and Circumstance to accompany a scene or two. But it was the joy Mozart and the driving force of Beethoven that, for me, and so many others, MADE several scenes. We all agreed on that here at WFMT. We were also delighted to witness the universal power of classical music within the popular media…still in style…still bringing its clear, personal message.

I also like what writer Jeremy Helligar had to say about music and movies…

Helligar on movie music



He’s well-known (as evidenced here) as one of the world’s great Chopin pianists.  But we’re thrilled that Mr. Ohlsson has given permission to include his December 2010 WFMT performance of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Op 27 #1 on our Beethoven Piano Sonatas: Live on WFMT disc for our February pledge drive.  Tune in next week to hear who else is on the disc…and how you can get one.

Garrick Ohlsson performs

The NY Times music critic has done a thoughtful and entertaining job with this ongoing series. Looking forward to the continued discussion this project has sparked.NY Times Tommasini top ten

FOR OVER 4 DECADES, NORMAN PELLEGRINI WAS THE HEART AND SOUL OF PROGRAMMING ON WFMT. FOR MANY, THIS IS THE HOME OF CLASSICAL MUSIC ON THE RADIO. NORMAN’S VISION AND LEADERSHIP CREATED THE WORLD-FAMOUS “WFMT SOUND” THAT WE STILL HONOR AND DO OUR BEST TO UPHOLD TODAY.

AND NORMAN’S CREATIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL SPIRIT INSPIRES US TO
CONTINUALLY TRY NEW THINGS.

HE WAS A GENEROUS ADVISOR AND CONFIDANTE TO ME . I’LL ALWAYS
BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT. AND HE NEVER PUSHED ANY
AGENDA…OTHER THAN EXCELLENCE. ONE THING HE TOLD ME HE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO WAS TO BROADCAST… LIVE… ALL 32 BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATAS OVER THE 31 DAYS OF BEETHOVEN’S DECEMBER BIRTHMONTH.

SO NORMAN…THIS IS FOR YOU.

THIS MONTH, YOU’LL HEAR ALL THE BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATAS
BROADCAST LIVE ON WFMT….

Pulling our series together is the producer of Beethoven Piano Sonatas: Live on WFMT, Thomas Zoells, president of the Pianoforte Foundation, Chicago.

Thanks to Thomas and all our pianists. And thanks Norman – for a great idea!