Classical Breakdown

By WETA ClassicalMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews Music History

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44th
on Music History
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Typical duration
51 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Classical Breakdown episodes

February 21, 2023 Ravel's Piano Concerto for Left Hand: A masterpiece of musical illusions and creativity!
There are a lot of questions and considerations when it comes to writing a piano concerto for a single hand. John Banther and Evan Keely explore the origins of this masterpiece and all the ways in which Ravel makes it sound larger than its parts.
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30 min
February 07, 2023 Joseph Bologne, the most interesting 18th century composer?
If there was a "most interesting man in the world" it would be Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He wasn't just a virtuoso violinist, composer, and conductor, he was also one of Europe's greatest fencers, and a military man who led a legion in the French Revolution.
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31 min
January 24, 2023 Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 "Pathetique": A symphony of unanswerable questions
No matter how many times you've heard this work, there is much to discover! John Banther and Evan Keely examine letters from his final year, musical examples, and fascinating compositional techniques in search of answers to this enigmatic symphony.
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46 min
January 10, 2023 Antonio Vivaldi's life, music, and the women who shaped his career
Did a volcano erupt when he was born, what illness plagued his priesthood, and why did he write so many concertos? Join us to learn all about Vivaldi's life and appreciate the composer from a new angle.
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41 min
December 27, 2022 Brahms' Haydn Variations: Don't judge a theme by its composer!
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36 min
December 13, 2022 A holiday gem: Margaret Bonds' The Ballad of the Brown King
This work for choir and orchestra might become your new holiday favorite! Bonds' takes us on an evocative musical journey with more in the story than meets the eye.
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31 min
November 29, 2022 George Frideric Handel: life of fame, musical style, and 3 things you didn't know before!
He's one of history's most famous composers, but how much do you really know about Handel? Join us to learn about his life, music, and desire for fame; plus 3 things about him you didn't know before!
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42 min
November 15, 2022 WG Still's Afro-American Symphony: Blues idioms, new instruments, and a uniquely American style
This symphony takes its inspiration from the blues in the 1920s, which were much different than the blues we typically hear today. Join us to learn how Still uniquely brought different styles of music together, new instruments in the orchestra, and his motivation.
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45 min
November 01, 2022 The Saxophone, everything you need to know about this unique genre-hopping instrument!
Doctors at one time prescribed playing the saxophone for certain ailments?! Learn all about the saxophone's invention, development, and all the genres it's hopped to along the way.
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49 min
October 18, 2022 Mozart y Mambo! Horn superstar Sarah Willis shows off her newest album
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50 min

About Classical Breakdown

From the publisher's feed

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.