Riccardo Muti

For the first time in nearly two decades, classical WFMT FM 98.7 will air a live local broadcast of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Friday.

Starting at 6:25 p.m., "The CSO Concert for Chicago" will air live from Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion. The free concert, conducted by music director Riccardo Muti, is part of the opening weekend of the CSO’s 125th anniversary season.

Peter van de Graaff

Veteran WFMT announcer Peter van de Graaff will host the broadcast, featuring Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.

Muti began the tradition of a free community concert at the start of each season in 2010. But it’s believed to have been 18 years since WFMT aired a live local broadcast of the CSO, according to the Window to the World Communications fine arts station. WFMT aired a CSO performance from Carnegie Hall in New York last January.

Airing without intermission, the concert broadcast also will stream live on wfmt.com. The program is expected to last until 8 p.m.