WFMT: Critical Thinking

11-09-09: Erik Nielsen (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:42:49 -0600

Andrew talks with young American conductor Erik Nielsen, 2009 Winner of a major grant of support from the Chicago-based Solti Foundation U.S.

The Iowa-born Nielsen, kapellmeister of the Frankfurt Opera, has worked closely with such leading conductors as James Levine and Bernard Haitink, and discusses the challenges and expectations facing new conductors today.

Critic's Choice: Some Poems #3

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:35:13 -0600

11-02-09: Michael Morgan (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:36:03 -0600

Our guest is Michael Morgan, Music Director for 20 seasons of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, and longtime Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Sir Georg Solti and Daniel Barenboim. Michael was in town to conduct the Chicago Sinfonietta at Orchestra Hall. He is a candidate to succeed the Sinfonietta's founding Music Director Paul Freeman, who will retire at the end of this season.

Critic's Choice: Samuel

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:37:04 -0600

10-26-09: Darwin (Guest: Robert J. Richards)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:43:31 -0500

Tonight at 10 p.m. Andrew presents a new interview with Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director designate Riccardo Muti recorded just last week.

Maestro Muti discusses his views on Bruckner, Verdi, and Brahms as he prepares for four performances of Brahms's German Requiem this week and next at Orchestra Hall.

Critic's Choice: Baseball Poet

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:51:24 -0500

10-19-09: Riccardo Muti (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:34:23 -0500

Andrew presents a new interview with Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director designate Riccardo Muti recorded just last week.

Maestro Muti discusses his views on Bruckner, Verdi, and Brahms as he prepares for four performances of Brahms's German Requiem this week and next at Orchestra Hall.

Critic's Choice: Kicking Off The Dance

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:03:21 -0500

10-12-09: Riccardo Muti (Conductor, Rebroadcast from January, 2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:24:51 -0500

Andrew's guest is internationally renowned Italian conductor Riccardo Muti, who will become the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's 10th music director in the 2010/2011 season.

Critic's Choice: Some Poems #2

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:17:46 -0500

Critic's Choice: Baseball Poet

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:04:31 -0500

09-28-09: Peter Cole (Poet and Translator)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:22:37 -0500

Poet and translator Peter Cole on Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain. Cole translated, edited and introduced "THE DREAM OF THE POEM: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain 950-1492." (Princeton University Press).

Critic's Choice: CSO Tour Report #5 (9/25/2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:25 -0500

Critic's Choice: CSO Tour Report #4 (9/22/2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:58:54 -0500

09-21-09: Music for Rosh Hashanah

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:46:44 -0500

Andrew presents a program of Music for Rosh Hashanah.

Critic's Choice: CSO Tour Report #3 (9/18/2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:57:07 -0500

Critic's Choice: CSO Tour Report #2 (9/14/2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:55:09 -0500

09-14-09: Critical Thinking from Shanghai, China (Rebroadcast)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:46:35 -0500

Andrew and Matt report from the road, following the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on their 2009 Far East Asia Tour. This program, from Shanghai, takes place during the tail-end of the two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Critic's Choice: CSO Tour Report #1 (9/12/2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:57:12 -0500

Critic's Choice: Modern Music On Lake Lucerne

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:32:38 -0500

09-07-09: Joe Glazer Tribute (Rebroadcast from 2006)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:10:27 -0500

In honor of Labor Day, Andrew offers a rebroadcast of his memorial celebration of Joe Glazer, "Labor's Troubador," who died three years ago this month at the age of 88.

08-31-09: Fanny Howe (Poet--Rebroadcast)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:15:33 -0500

Andrew talks with poet and essayist Fanny Howe, recipient of the 2009 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from The Poetry Foundation, publishers of Poetry magazine.

Critic's Choice: Representative Man Phil Blum

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:34:32 -0500

08-24-09: Music for the End (or Beginning) of Summer

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:06:48 -0500

For the end (or is it the beginning) of summer - Andrew presents a new program of music of everyone from Christopher O'Riley to Nikolai Medtner, Lotte Lenya to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Critic's Choice: What Critics Do In August

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:08:26 -0500

08-17-09: Sounds of Chicago's Lakefront

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:02:55 -0500

Andrew is joined by Tony Macaluso, co-author of the new book Sounds of Chicago's Lakefront: A Celebration of the Grant Park Music Festival, which chronicles 75 years of the Festival's history.

Critic's Choice: Russian Memories

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:19:04 -0500

08-10-09: A Force For Change: African American Art and The Julius Rosenwald Fund (2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:59:30 -0500

Andrew joins curators Staci Boris and Daniel Schulman for the second of a two-part walk-through of the exhibition African American Art and The Julius Rosenwald Fund, now up at Spertus Museum through August 16.

Critic's Choice: A Force For Change

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:16:31 -0500

08-03-09: A Force For Change: African American Art and The Julius Rosenwald Fund (1 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:43:30 -0500

Andrew joins curators Staci Boris and Daniel Schulman for the first of a two-part walk-through of the exhibition African American Art and The Julius Rosenwald Fund, now up at Spertus Museum through August 16.

Critic's Choice: In The Dead of Night

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:33:29 -0500

07-27-09: Phil Grabsky (In Search of Beethoven--Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:26:17 -0500

The second of a two-part conversation with Phil Grabsky on his new film In Search Of Beethoven, now it its U.S. premiere run at the Gene Siskel Film Center through August 6.

Critic's Choice: Baldwin And Bishop

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:57:25 -0500

07-20-09: Phil Grabsky (In Search of Beethoven--Part 1 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:52:52 -0500

The first of a two-part conversation with Phil Grabsky on his new film In Search Of Beethoven, now it its U.S. premiere run at the Gene Siskel Film Center through August 6.

Critic's Choice: Thank You Mr. Dvorak

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:11:04 -0500

07-13-09: New Music From Norway

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:03:11 -0500

Andrew presents a program of new recordings of Norwegian composers and by artists from the Risør Chamber Music Festival there.

Critic's Choice: In Memory of Norm

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:21:05 -0500

07-06-09: Tribute to Norm Pelligrini

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:40:56 -0500

Andrew presents his tribute to broadcast legend and longtime WFMT program director, Norman Pelligrini.

Critic's Choice: Back From Norway

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:19:09 -0500

06-30-09: Leon Fleisher (Rebroadcast)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:36:25 -0500

Andrew talks with Leon Fleisher, legendary pianist, pedagogue, and advocate for people with disabilities.

Critic's Choice: Postcard from Norway

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:05:44 -0500

06-24-09: Yefim Bronfman (Rebroadcast)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:01:59 -0500

Andrew's guest is Tashkent-born pianist Yefim Bronfman. Bronfman has two appearances coming up at Ravinia Festival: On Sunday July 5th at 5:00pm he joins Pinchas Zukerman and the Zukerman Chamber Players in the Martin Theatre for the first Mozart Piano Quartet and the great Schumann Piano Quintet. On Tuesday night July 7 at 8:00pm, Mr. Bronfman is the soloist in the Brahms Second Piano Concerto for the first Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert of Ravinia 2009. James Conlon conducts. This repeat broadcast was recorded with Yefim Bronfman in Chicago last fall when he was appearing with the CSO at Orchestra Hall.

Critic's Choice: George Mitchell Williams (1935-2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:27:11 -0500

06-15-09: Leon Fleisher (legendary pianist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:23:57 -0500

Piano legend Leon Fleisher spends a portion of each summer on the faculty of Ravinia Festival's Steans Institute for Young Artists and he often graces the public with some performances as well. On Tuesday June 30 at 2 p.m. he will conduct a Steans master class in Bennett•Gordon Hall that is free and open to the public. And on Thursday July 2 Mr. Fleisher "and friends" will perform chamber works by Haydn and Mendelssohn as well as the Brahms C Major Piano Trio, No.2, Op. 87, in Ravinia's Martin Theatre at 8 p.m.

In anticipation of Leon Fleisher's Ravinia appearances we present a rebroadcast of one of our most requested programs, an interview with Leon Fleisher recorded in the spring of 2007 when the pianist and teacher received the Dushkin Award from the Music Institute of Chicago.

Critic's Choice: Greek

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:25:58 -0500

06-08-09: Janine Jansen (Dutch violinist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:12:36 -0500

Andrew's guest is Dutch violinist Janine Jansen who finished her run with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this weekend at Orchestra Hall as part of the Dvorak Festival.

Critic's Choice: Seeing Is Believing

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:26:09 -0500

06-01-09: Ange Mlinko (Poet and Poetry Critic)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:50:39 -0500

Andrew talks with poet and critic Ange Mlinko who last month was named winner of the third Randall Jarrell Award in Poetry Criticism from the Chicago-based Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine.

05-25-09: Fanny Howe (Poet)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:30:55 -0500

Andrew talks with poet and essayist Fanny Howe, recipient of the 2009 Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from The Poetry Foundation, publishers of Poetry magazine.

05-18-09: Musical Musings For May

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:49:48 -0500

Andrew presents a program of "Musical Musings for May."

Critic's Choice: Oh No Video!

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:58:57 -0500

05-11-09: Neil Harris (Historian, Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:01:13 -0500

The second of a two-part conversation with University of Chicago historian Neil Harris about his new book, "The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age," published by The University of Chicago Press.

Critic's Choice: Leon Despres

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:56:39 -0500

05-04-09: Christianne Stotijn (Mezzo-soprano)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:23:56 -0500

Andrew's guest is Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn, who was in town recently to perform Mahler's Rückert-Lieder with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Bernard Haitink.

Critic's Choice: Buildings or Gum Wrappers

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:51:35 -0500

04-27-09: Beryl Satter (Author) (Rebroadcast from April 13, 2009)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:29:44 -0500

Andrew's guest is Beryl Satter, author of the new book Family Properties: Race, Real Estate, and The Exploitation of Black Urban America--on a neglected period of Chicago history.

Critic's Choice: Catching Up With National Poetry Month

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:47:52 -0500

4-20-09: Chinary Ung and George Crumb - New Releases

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:54:53 -0500

Andrew features new recordings of works by American composers Chinary Ung and George Crumb from Bridge Records

04-13-09: Beryl Satter (Author)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:06:50 -0500

Andrew's guest is Beryl Satter, author of the new book Family Properties: Race, Real Estate, and The Exploitation of Black Urban America--on a neglected period of Chicago history.

Critic's Choice: Christine Newman

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:42:25 -0500

04-06-09: Gustavo Dudamel (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:23:52 -0500

Andrew is joined by conductor Gustavo Dudamel to speak about the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela's new CD of works of Tchaikovsky which includes his Symphony No. 5 and Francesca da Rimini. This is in conjuction with Dudamel and the Bolívar's music education residency in Chicago this week. (This program's interview was recorded in January of 2009 at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.)

Critic's Choice: Spring Dance

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:06:00 -0500

03-30-09: Diane Walsh (pianist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:35 -0500

Andrew speaks with pianist Diane Walsh about her new recording of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations (JDR: Jonathan Digital Recordings) and her work as onstage pianist and musical director for the new Broadway play about their composition, 33 Variations.

03-23-09: Music For Spring (Rebroadcast from 2008)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:08:23 -0500

Andrew presents a selection of "Music for Spring." (Rebroadcast from 2008)

03-16-09: Reese Erlich (Author) on Cuban Music (Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:58:55 -0500

Andrew's guest is foreign correspondant and jazz writer Reese Erlich, discussing music in Cuba and the "real story of the Buena Vista Social Club." Check out his new book, Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba from PoliPoint Press.

Critic's Choice: 33 Variations

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:03:23 -0500

03-09-09: Reese Erlich (Author) (Part 1 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:55:52 -0500

Andrew's guest is veteran journalist and author Reese Erlich discussing his new book, "Dateline Havana: The Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Future of Cuba" from PoliPoint Press.

Critic's Choice: Picking and Choosing II

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:09:14 -0600

03-02-09: Pierre Boulez (Maestro)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:57:31 -0600

A conversation with music with Chicago Symphony Orchestra "Conductor Emeritus" Pierre Boulez.

Critic's Choice: Picking and Choosing

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:13:39 -0600

02-23-09: Critical Thinking: Press In The Egg - CSO Coverage

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:28:18 -0600

A full-length program of even more happenings from our trip with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on their 2009 Far East Asia Tour. This week we bring you content from Shanghai and Beijing, China, including a press conference in Beijing's "Egg" with Maestro Bernard Haitink and CSO President Deborah Rutter, part II of the Shanghai Cocktail Party, and a walk through the park at the Temple of Heaven.

Critic's Choice: Chinese Freedoms

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:11:25 -0600

02-16-09: Back Home from Far East Asia

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:03:52 -0600

Andrew and Matt are back from their Critical Thinking: On The Road tour with the CSO through Far East Asia, including stops in Yokohama and Tokyo Japan, Hong Kong, as well as Shanghai and Beijing, China.

02-09-09: Critical Thinking from Shanghai, China

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:47:24 -0600

Andrew and Matt report from the road, following the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on their 2009 Far East Asia Tour. This program, from Shangai, is takes place during the tail-end of the two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year.

02-02-09: Critical Thinking from Tokyo, Japan. Guest: Li-Kuo Chang

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 2 Feb 2009 14:27:22 -0600

Critical Thinking's first-ever On The Road Edition! Following the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the entirety of their 2009 Far East Asia Tour, Andrew and Matt file their first full-length program from Tokyo, Japan.

01-26-09: Donald Nally

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:42:10 -0600

Andrew is joined by Lyric Opera of Chicago chorus master Donald Nally, discussing and playing recordings of Nally's Philadelphia-based contemporary choral group, The Crossing.

Critic's Choice: Did You See Studs Terkel at the Inauguration

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:36:34 -0600

01-19-09: Riccardo Muti (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:03:31 -0600

Andrew's guest is internationally renowned Italian conductor Riccardo Muti, who will become the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's 10th music director in the 2010/2011 season.

Critic's Choice: Music Now and New

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:52:01 -0600

01-12-09: Gustavo Dudamel (Conductor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:00:00 -0600

Andrew's guest is Gustavo Dudamel, the phenomenal young Venezuelan conductor. Andrew had the exclusive North American interview with the next music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic when he burst onto the U.S. scene two years ago. This second exclusive interview was recorded during Dudamel's concert week with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this month.

Critic's Choice: O'Neill

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 13:53:28 -0600

Critic's Choice: What Are Years?

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:03:45 -0600

12-29-08: Neil Harris (Historian, Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:27:18 -0600

The second of a two-part conversation with University of Chicago historian Neil Harris about his new book, "The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age," just published by The University of Chicago Press.

Critic's Choice: Barenboim's Recital

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:01:31 -0600

12-15-08: Neil Harris (Historian)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:07:36 -0600

The first of a two-part conversation with University of Chicago historian Neil Harris about his new book, "The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age," just published by The University of Chicago Press.

Critic's Choice: Astonishing

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:19 -0600

Critic's Choice: The American Dream

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 11:09:51 -0600

12-1-08: British Writers II

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 2 Dec 2008 09:58:06 -0600

Andrew continues his survey of the new audio collections The Spoken Word -- British and American Writers from the British Library and the BBC. Tonight's show includes rare audio excerpts of G.K. Chesterton, J.R.R. Tolkien, Rebecca West, Aldous Huxley, Evelyn Waugh, and a surprise "guest" who has been a longtime favorite of WFMT listeners.

Critic's Choice: On Studs

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 12:23:15 -0600

11-24-08: Alex Ross (Music Critic - The New Yorker; Genius)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:01:07 -0600

Andrew speaks with author and music critic for the New Yorker, Alex Ross. Since we last talked, his book The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century has been launched in paperback by Picador and he's won a MacArthur genius award.

11-17-08: Francesca Zambello (Stage Director)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:36:54 -0600

Andrew's guest is Francesca Zambello, stage director of Lyric Opera of Chicago's first-ever presentations of George Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS, beginning Tuesday night, November 18th, with a live opening night broadcast starting at 7:15p.m. on 98.7WFMT and wfmt.com.

08-08-05: Studs Terkel

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 10:29:31 -0500

Andrew speaks with Tashkent-born pianist Yefim Bronfman about his career. Bronfman returns to Orchestra Hall in Chicago on Sunday, November 9th at 3:00pm for a program with Emanuel Ax of two-piano works.

11-03-08: Yefim Bronfman (Pianist)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 4 Nov 2008 10:19:48 -0600

Critic's Choice: Generosity

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:53:21 -0500

Critic's Choice: Settling-in with the dance

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:47:04 -0500

10-27-08: Great British Writers

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:33:33 -0500

Andrew begins an occasional series of broadcasts from the new British Library CD sets entitled "The Spoken Word," with a sampling of the voices of great British writers from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Virginia Woolf.

10-20-08: Emmanuel Villaume

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:23:05 -0500

A conversation with music with Emmanuel Villaume, who conducts the Lyric Opera of Chicago in Massenet's Manon at the Civic Opera House through October 31.

Critic's Choice: If Elected, I'll Listen to WFMT

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:34:31 -0500

10-13-08: E. Faye Butler (Actor)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:14:55 -0500

A conversation with music with E. Faye Butler, who stars as Caroline Thibodeax in Caroline, or Change at Chicago's Court Theatre thru October 26.

Critic's Choice: French October

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:37:20 -0500

10-06-08: Paul Festa (Filmmaker)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 7 Oct 2008 16:01:12 -0500

Andrew welcomes Apparition of the Eternal Church filmmaker Paul Festa in a salute to the centenary year of French composer Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) and The University of Chicago's current 10-day Messiaen Festival.

Critic's Choice: Musical Turns

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:54:15 -0500

Critic's Choice: Alex and Don

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:25:15 -0500

Alex Ross: Music Critic for the New Yorker and 2008 MacArthur Fellow (Part 2 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:35:50 -0500

New Yorker music critic and just-announced 2008 MacArthur Fellow Alex Ross joins Andrew for conversation with music. (Recorded in December of 2007 - Part 2 of 2)

Alex Ross: Music Critic for the New Yorker and 2008 MacArthur Fellow (Part 1 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:29:59 -0500

New Yorker music critic and just-announced 2008 MacArthur Fellow Alex Ross joins Andrew for conversation with music. (Recorded in December of 2007 - Part 1 of 2)

09-23-08: Sheldon Harnick (Part 1/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:47:24 -0500

Part one of a two-part conversation with music with Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick who was in town for an encore production of his Fiorello! at the TimeLine Theatre Company on Chicago's north side. (Rebroadcast)

Critic's Choice: Musikverein!

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:22:30 -0500

09-15-08: Clarinetist Evan Christopher and Filmmaker Valerie Shields

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:55:18 -0500

The second of a two-part conversation with New Orleans clarinetist Evan Christopher and filmmaker Valerie Shields, whose current project Follow The Second Line" follows Evan's life, both musical and otherwise, in his own post-hurricane world.
(Rebroadcast)

Critic's Choice: CSO European Tour Report #3

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Critic's Choice: CSO European Tour Report #2

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 8 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Critic's Choice: CSO European Tour Report #1

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Sat, 6 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0500

09-08-08: Jack Zimmerman, Chicago Author

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 09:53:22 -0500

Andrew is joined by Chicago author Jack Zimmerman to talk about his book "Gods of the Andes," out on New Leaf Books.
(2006 rebroadcast)

Critic's Choice: At Home While Away

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 3 Sep 2008 11:21:05 -0500

09-01-08: Anthony Barrese

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 2 Sep 2008 12:03:16 -0500

Andrew is joined by Melrose Park-native composer/conductor Anthony Barrese for conversation with music.

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Critic's Choice: In-between Time

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:18:43 -0500

08-25-08: Nico Muhly - Composer, conductor, arranger, musician

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:29:16 -0500

Andrew is joined by composer/arranger/conductor/ musician Nico Muhly for conversation with music, in an interview recorded in an eerie, concrete room in Chicago's Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. Nico works with everyone from Bjork to Phillip Glass to Rufus Wainwright.

We appreciate your feedback: email us at rentap@aol.com !

From the Archive: Architect Stanley Tigerman (Part 1 of 2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:59:23 -0500

Part 1 of a two-part conversation with renowned architect Stanley Tigerman.

Critic's Choice: Research

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:45:43 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT and at wfmt.com Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

05-14-07: Robert Falls (Part 2/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 14 May 2007 12:36:47 -0500

Andrew's guest is Robert Falls, marking his 20th anniversary as artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre, in the second of a lively two-part conversation with music.

Critic's Choice: Report from Salzburg #2

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:33:46 -0500

08-11-08: Esther Schor

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:00:00 -0500

Andrew speaks with poet and Princeton English professor Esther Schor on her book Emma Lazarus, a part of the "Jewish Encounters" series of Nextbook and Schocken. Lazarus was one of the great women of nineteenth-century American letters and her most famous poem is mounted at the base of the Statue of Liberty. (Rebroadcast)

Next Week: Music and Conversation with Nico Muhly

Email Andrew! rentap@aol.com

Critic's Choice: Report from Salzburg #1

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Fri, 8 Aug 2008 12:13:02 -0500

08-04-08: Giacinto Scelsi

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 5 Aug 2008 17:19:07 -0500

A program of music by the pioneering and independent 20th century Italian composer Giacinto Scelsi [pronounced gia--CHEEN-toh SHAYL-si], 1905-1988. (Rebroadcast / music in excerpts due to copyright laws)

Tell us what you think! Email Andrew Patner:
rentap@aol.com

Critic's Choice: Broadway Babies

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:37:43 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

07-21-08: Kay Ryan - Poet

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:22:55 -0500

2004 interview with music with Kay Ryan who has just been appointed the 16th United States Poet Laureate. Andrew talked with Ryan when she was in Chicago to receive the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from Poetry magazine. (Rebroadcast)

Critic's Choice: Remedial English

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:19:29 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

07-18-08: Peter Cole (Rebroadcast)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:45:17 -0500

Poet and translator Peter Cole on Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain. Cole recently translated, edited and introduced THE DREAM OF THE POEM: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain 950-1492 (Princeton University Press). (Rebroadcast)

Peter Cole's Ibis Editions

Peter's visit was sponsored by Nextbook.

Critic's Choice: Designer Deck Chairs

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:24:51 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

06-30-08: Maestro Bernard Haitink [WFMT Exclusive (Rebroadcast)]

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:50:00 -0500

(WFMT Exclusive) Andrew talks with Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Bernard Haitink about Mahler, Shostakovich, and life. Recorded in May in anticipation of Maestro Haitink's Ravinia debut with the CSO on July 16.

Critic's Choice: Norwegian Jealousy

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:35:22 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

06-23-08: Wilbert Hasbrouck - Architect

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:32:48 -0500

Architect Wilbert Hasbrouck discusses his recent book "The Chicago Architecture Club: Prelude to the Modern," published by Monacelli Press.

Critic's Choice: Tony, Tony, Tony

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:01:49 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

06-16-08: Jame Cuno - Director, Art Institute of Chicago (Part 2/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:41:09 -0500

Art Institute of Chicago director James Cuno joins us for conversation regarding controversies about ownership of archeological treasures and objects. His new book Who Owns Antiquity? Museums and the Battle over Our Ancient Heritage is available now from Princeton University Press.

Critic's Choice: Winging It

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:11:37 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

06-09-08: Dan Andries and Alex Silets

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 22:59:00 -0500

Dan Andries and Alex Silets, co-producers of the WTTW documentary "Out and Proud in Chicago" join us for conversation with music.

06-02-08: James Cuno - Director, Art Institute of Chicago (Part 1/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 11:33:15 -0500

Critic's Choice: Out and Proud

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 10:33:01 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

05-12-08: Evan Christopher (Part 1/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:22:12 -0500

Part 1 of 2: Conversation with music with New Orleans jazz clarinetist Evan Christopher.

Critic's Choice: Footprints

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:35:46 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

Critic's Choice: The Hills Are Alive

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:50:36 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

Critic's Choice: Salzburg Call-in

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:45:46 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

Critic's Choice: Organism

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 6 May 2008 15:42:03 -0500

Critic's Choice is a weekly feature in which WFMT's Critic-at-Large Andrew Patner shares his observations on arts and culture, from performances at Orchestra Hall to happenings in overlooked Chicago neighborhoods to festivals around the world. It airs three times each week on 98.7WFMT Wednesdays at 10:00 am, Saturdays after the opera broadcast and before From the Recording Horn with Andy Karzas, and Sundays at 8:30 am.

05-05-08: Bernard Haitink (WFMT Exclusive!)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 6 May 2008 11:00:42 -0500

A WFMT exclusive! Andrew interviews Bernard Haitink in the Maestro's hotel room over a cup of espresso (recorded Friday, May 2).

05-05-08: Riccardo Muti (WFMT Exclusive! Rebroadcast from September, 2007)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 6 May 2008 10:45:54 -0500

A rebroadcast of Andrew's 2007 interview with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's newly-appointed Music Director beginning with the 2010-2011 season, Riccardo Muti. The announcement was made May 5, 2008.

04-28-08: Unsuk Chin - Music and Conversation

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:40:54 -0500

Andrew sits down with composer Unsuk Chin at Orchestra Hall for conversation with music. Her new piece for full orchestra Rocana, Sanskrit for "space of light," was played by the CSO and Kent Nagano April 24-29 at Orchestra Hall.

04-21-08: John Corbett and Jim Dempsey, Chicago curators/art dealers (Part 2/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:23:49 -0500

Part 2 of 2: Chicago curators and art dealers John Corbett and Jim Dempsey join Andrew in--studio for music and conversation. The exhibition Big Picture: A New View of Painting in Chicago can be viewed at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, through August 3, 2008.

04-14-08: John Corbett and Jim Dempsey, Chicago curators/art dealers (Part 1/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:47:04 -0500

Part 1 of 2: Chicago curators and art dealers John Corbett and Jim Dempsey walk Andrew through the exhibition Big Picture: A New View of Painting in Chicago at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, through August 3, 2008.

04-07-08: Sheldon Harnick (Part 2/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 8 Apr 2008 10:39:38 -0500

Part two of a two-part conversation with music with Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, whose Fiorello! runs at TimeLine Theatre Company April 13 thru June 15.

03-17-08: Smart Museum - Anthony Hirschel (museum director)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:55:02 -0500

Andrew and museum director Anthony Hirschel have a walkthrough of the exhibit "Looking and Listening in Nineteenth Century France" at the Smart Museum of Art on the University of Chicago campus.

12-03-07: Danny Newman - Roundtable Discussion

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Tue, 5 Aug 2008 17:28:18 -0500

Andrew Patner is joined by Norm Pellegrini, Goodman Theatre's Roche Schulfer, and others in remembering the legendary Chicago press agent, performing arts subscription advocate, and Lyric opera fixture Danny Newman who died at his home in Lincolnwood at age 88.

07-16-07: Kent Nagano (Part 2/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:32:07 -0500

The second of a two-part conversation with music with American-born orchestra and opera conductor Kent Nagano.

07-09-07: Kent Nagano (Part 1/2)

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 9 Jul 2007 12:29:34 -0500

The first of a two-part conversation with music with American-born orchestra and opera conductor Kent Nagano.

07-02-07: Leon Fleisher

mdestefano@wfmt.com (WFMT) — Mon, 2 Jul 2007 11:41:46 -0500

Andrew talks with Leon Fleisher, legendary pianist, pedagogue, and advocate for people with disabilities.