Beethoven pushed the symphonic form in a new direction with this heroic work that sounds larger than the sum of its parts. John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how it pushed boundaries in 19th-century music, the famous Napoleon dedication, and more!

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Think you can play the triangle? Think again! In our biggest episode yet, we explore the big world of percussion with Chris DeChiara. Using composers from Beethoven to Ozzy Osborne, he demonstrates over a dozen instruments and shares insider secrets as to what goes on in the back row. 

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Who doesn't love more music? Starting this season, we'll be releasing occasional bonus episodes. We kick it off with a great performance of a suite from Ravel's ballet Daphnis and Chloe. 

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This composer had way more impact on the 20th century than you realize! Join us as we celebrate his life at 150 and look at how he achieved this unique sound, why he was kicked out of school twice, and enjoy a performance of his string quartet. 

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It's the final episode of Season 6, and per tradition, it's an episode with recommended summer listening. Thank you very much for listening, rating, and sharing the podcast as it continues to grow year after year with your help! In this episode, there 4 albums to explore, taking us on a journey to ancient cities, flirtatious oboe playing, an emotional rollercoaster, and more!

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This work marks a departure from his previous symphonies, which were linked together by vocal music. But what is this? Is this Mahler working through his mortality and uncertainty, or something else? John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how Mahler achieves his unique sound, and what it could all mean. 

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Join us to explore Felix Mendelssohn's life through 4 different aspects of life that separated him from nearly every other composer. John Banther and James Jacobs explore his life, what made him different, and enjoy a full performance of one of his iconic works too!

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Verdi considered this character worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy, and he delivers just that! John Banther and Linda Carducci explore Verdi's masterpiece and show you what to listen for, intricacies of the characters and plot, the banned origin story, and so much more. 

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You knew this composer before you knew his name, and he has shaped the sound of movies and childhoods for generations. Join us to learn about aspects of his life you didn't know, like his early career and first film scores, influences, nonfilm work, and more!

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Few other works in the canon occupy a place like this symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich. John Banther and Evan Keely dive into history as they show you what to listen for, Shostakovich's perilous circumstances, and what clues he could have left for all of us in the music.

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