Backstage Podcast

Here we look at snippets of American composers. This might remind you of “This American Life,” if you’ve ever listened to that. Each story, while able to stand on its own, combines with the other pieces to paint the larger picture of classical music life in the United States leading up to Dvorak’s arrival in 1891.

Join us for Part 1 of our 2-part series on Antonin Dvorak. Between the two, we’ll cover his two most important works written on our side of the pond, the cultural ramifications, and his lasting legacy on American music.

Here we dive into one of Japan's most iconic 20th century works, Masao Ohki's "Hiroshima Symphony."

The United States ended WWII by dropping the world's first Atomic Bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, 1946, respectively. The bomb ended the worst conflict in human history and saved the lives of countless US soldiers in the Pacific Theater, but at what cost?

Join us as we explore the devilish imagery in the Danse Macabre and the dark history that gave birth to such a grotesque myth. Actually, the music itself is fun and playful. The history? Not so much.

Join us as we take a look at the musical wasteland that was Stalin’s Soviet Russia, and how censorship affected the composers and musicians during this time, particularly Shostakovich from the year 1936-1937. 

On his deathbed, Guiseppe Tartini revealed the "devilish" inspiration behind his famous Sonata in G minor. Paganini, on the other hand, refused his last rites---then remained unburied for 36 years. What secrets do these famous musicians have in common?

On this episode we explore the composition of Rossini's Barber of Seville. The opera is beloved by many and performed often in today's world. But should it be? We think Pasiello would have something to say about that!