Shows / Classical Breakdown
Classical Breakdown
John Banther takes classical music fans behind the scenes with interviews, deep dives, and analysis. Episodes released bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Produced by WETA Classical in Washington, D.C.
Episodes
Classical BreakdownThe Life of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Linda and John uncover details about Rachmaninoff's life, like early influences that stayed with him his entire career, his comeback story after a disastrous…
Classical BreakdownWhat is a Clarinet?
It's a popular instrument, but how much do you really know about the clarinet? Principal Clarinet of the National Symphony Orchestra, Lin Ma, joins John…
Classical BreakdownTchaikovsky's triumphant Symphony No. 5
This symphony is one of the most popular and triumphant in the repertoire, and for good reason! It takes us on a journey using a simple melody that appears in…
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The Life of Leonard Bernstein
How much do you really know about one of America's most treasured artists? There is a lot to explore in his early life in Massachusetts, his meteoric rise to…
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Season 3 starts September 7!
It's been a nice summer break, but we are excited to be back with your favorite classical music podcast! We kick things off on September 7 as Matthew Dayton…
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New classical albums to listen to this summer!
We wrap up Season 2 of Classical Breakdown with some recommended recordings for you to explore this summer. These recently released albums feature a diverse…
Classical BreakdownWhat is a Viola? Daniel Foster, Principal Viola of the NSO tells us everything!
The viola is somewhat of an enigma and from a distance can be hard to tell apart from the violin. Daniel Foster explains how composers used the viola over the…
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Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. A story of obsession, betrayal, and execution.
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The Life of Johannes Brahms
He's considered one of the greatest composers of the 19th century. But can you hum a tune by Brahms? We dive into the life and music of Brahms to better…
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What is a Concerto?
Where did the concerto come from and how did it evolve? We explore its origins, development through Haydn and Mozart, some of the most challenging concertos of…
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Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. A masterpiece and tribute to a friend.
This masterpiece, originally for piano, was inspired by the tragic loss of a friend, and Ravel's orchestration is a work of art in itself. While roughly half…
Classical BreakdownWhat is a Bassoon? Sue Heineman, Principal Bassoon of the NSO, tells us everything!
How does a bassoon make a sound and what is its purpose? Principal Bassoonist of the National Symphony Orchestra Sue Heineman doesn't just tell us; she also…
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Appalachian Spring, an American classic by Aaron Copland
There is so much to discover about this masterpiece, like its collaborative and ballet origins, Copland's inventive use of an unknown folk tune, and even how…
Classical BreakdownThe Life of Bach
Today we know him as one of the greatest and most influential composers, but that wasn’t always the case. Learn how a teenager became responsible for…
Classical BreakdownThe life of Florence Price
Dr. Karen Walwyn discusses the life and music of Florence Price, the first woman African American composer to have a symphony played by a major orchestra in…
Classical BreakdownDvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World." The origins and inspirations you didn't know.
There is a lot you may not know about the origins, inspirations and influencers when it comes to this masterpiece by Dvorak. We get into the details and music…
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It's fun and it's virtuosic! Exploring Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21
You might not know this concerto by its number, but you're surely familiar with one of its aria-like melodies that has appeared in film and popular music…
Classical BreakdownWhat does a Concertmaster really do? Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef of the NSO explains.
It's one of the most competitive positions in all of classical music. Learn more about the role of a concertmaster from Nurit Bar-Josef, Concertmaster of the…
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The life of Strauss Jr. aka "The Waltz King"
His music is celebrated today, especially around New Year's, and his waltzes are bound to put a smile on your face. Learn about Strauss Jr.'s life, his music…
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The Nutcracker, how it became a holiday classic, and what to listen for
This holiday classic has helped define the "Christmas" sound for generations, but there's more to the music than you think. Support Classical Breakdown…
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Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was revolutionary, but if all you know is the "Ode to Joy" you are missing out! From it's opening notes to the final crescendo, join…
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What is a string quartet?
Is it the ultimate test for a composer? Discover its origins and how this genre evolved over centuries with James Jacobs and John Banther. Support Classical…
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Beethoven's triumphant Symphony No. 5
There's a lot about this masterpiece you may not know. Nicole LaCroix joins John Banther to explore its premiere and unique musical moments. Support Classical…
Classical BreakdownThe life of Tchaikovsky
From his humble beginnings to becoming one of the greatest composers, explore the life and music of Tchaikovsky. Support Classical Breakdown…
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What is an Overture?
Is an Overture defined by the kind of music it contains or simply where it appears in a concert? The answer can change throughout history, and with musical…
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Rimsky-Korsakov's enchanting Scheherazade
Discover the musical details and backstory of a work that's captivated listeners for over a century. John Banther and Linda Carducci discuss its origins and…
Classical BreakdownThe life of Beethoven
Discover the life and works of one classical music's greatest composers! His life was full of groundbreaking music, but it was also tragic as he dealt with…
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Recommended summer listening
Expand your musical palate with music found in an attic in 2009, new interpretations of Beethoven and Franck, and an instrument you've probably never heard…
Classical BreakdownLawrence Brownlee on equality in classical music
Brownlee talks about equality in classical music, his experience as a black man in the world of opera, and what we can do to encourage positive change towards…
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Haydn's lost cello concerto and its rediscovery
Haydn's 1st cello concerto was lost for 200 years and is now considered one of the greatest cello concertos of the 18th century. Dr. Greenwald tells us how…
Classical BreakdownNSO Principal Flute Aaron Goldman talks flute and shares his journey in music
When was the flute invented, how did it evolve, what does a bass flute sound like? Learn all this and more with Principal Flute of the National Symphony…
Classical BreakdownDebussy's La Mer - Part 3
Debussy's La Mer is as imaginative and playful as it was in 1905, and while the original audience wasn't as receptive, it's become an orchestra staple over the…
Classical BreakdownDebussy's La Mer - Part 2
The trumpet shines through in Jeux de Vagues, (Play of the Waves), the second movement of Debussy's La mer. This is part 2 of our 3 part series on Debussy's…
Classical BreakdownDebussy's La Mer - Part 1
An orchestral staple today, this work about "the sea" wasn't well received at it's premiere. Audiences may have expected a Strauss-esque symphonic poem to…
Classical BreakdownArtist Relief Tree, supporting artists affected by cancellations due to COVID-19
The Arts community is severely affected by the current situation involving COVID-19. Artist Relief Tree was created by Morgan Brophy to give direct support to…
Classical BreakdownThe Life and Music of Amy Beach, an American pioneer
She was America's first woman composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra and the first American composer fully educated in the United States…
Classical BreakdownHaydn's final London Symphony
Let's go on a musical deep dive of Haydn's final symphony. With musical examples we can breakdown Sonata Form, hear influences of other composers, and folk…
Classical BreakdownWhat is a Symphony? Part 2
Beethoven changed all ideas and expectations about the Symphony. Bill Bukowski joins me as we figure out what happened to the symphony after Beethoven through…
Classical BreakdownThe life of Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life was kind of complicated. His childhood as a musical prodigy was filled with practicing, writing music, and performing for…
Classical BreakdownThe Planets by Holst
Discover music by Holst that was inspired by the gods our planets are named after in our solar system. This seven-movement orchestral suite includes the…
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Tchaikovsky's The Seasons
Get into the new year with a work that has music for every month! Tchaikovsky's The Seasons also includes poetry and gives us a glimpse into Russian life…
Classical BreakdownWhat does a conductor do?
Waving a baton is just a small part of being a conductor. Michelle Merrill tells what it's like to prepare a concert with an orchestra, from the year before to…
Classical BreakdownHandel's Messiah, from swords, hidden meanings, to theft!
Here's everything you wanted to know about Handel's Messiah but were afraid to ask. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See…
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What is a Symphonic Poem?
Discover one of the more colorful genres of classical music, the Symphonic Poem, which can depict animals, landscape, literature, and even football players!…
Classical BreakdownReading between the notes - making a score come alive
Liz demonstrates musical terms on the violin, we talk about bringing sheet music to life and a special guest joins for an experiment with foreign language…
Classical BreakdownThe Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot
The Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot, a new work by Alistair Coleman. Alistair talks about the inspiration for this piece, and after the performance, we talk…
Classical BreakdownKian Soltani, cellist, talks tempo, karate, and his debut album "Home"
Kian talks about bringing people together in music, changing tempos, karate, and more. He is one of today's most celebrated young cellists and has risen the…
Classical BreakdownWhat is a Symphony? Part 1
The Symphony has been one of classical music's biggest genres. But, have you ever wondered what makes a symphony, a symphony? The origins take us back to the…
Classical BreakdownHow does a composer actually write music?
Mozart and Beethoven were genius composers, but they wrote music very differently. Renowned composer from Washington, Alistair Coleman, tells us what made…
Classical BreakdownThe Four Seasons, how Vivaldi depicts the world in sound
Poetry, falling on the ice, and a barking dog, there is so much to hear and discover in Antonio Vivaldi’s masterpiece, The Four Seasons. In this episode, we…
Classical BreakdownWu Han, pianist and cultural entrepreneur
She might be the busiest chamber musician in the United States. Wu Han is in charge of several music festivals worldwide, has an intense performing schedule…