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

January 28, 2020 The 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 royalty throughout Europe. He later struggled at times finding suitable employment and wanted to find his own path. It was a life lived under the watchful eye of his father, Leopold Mozart, and cut short at the age of 35.
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1 hr 3 min
January 14, 2020 The 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 terrifying sounds of war, the comfort of peace, jollity, and so much more.
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27 min
December 31, 2019 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, month by month in 1876.
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28 min
December 17, 2019 What 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 the downbeat of the concert.
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58 min
December 03, 2019 Handel's Messiah, from swords, hidden meanings, to theft!
Here's everything you wanted to know about Handel's Messiah but were afraid to ask.
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1 hr 14 min
November 19, 2019 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!
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21 min
November 05, 2019 Reading 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.
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28 min
October 22, 2019 The 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 with the quartet about putting this piece together, new playing techniques, and space travel!
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38 min
October 08, 2019 Kian 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 ranks as one of today's great cello soloists. His collaboration with conductor Daniel Barenboim has taken him around the world, he's performed with some of the worlds greatest orchestras. and records for Deutsche Grammophon.
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33 min
September 24, 2019 What 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 17th century with symphonies that lasted only a few minutes, and we explore its development up to Beethoven's blockbuster Symphony No. 9.
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34 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.