Classical Cake

In this episode, you’ll:

Discover why he isn’t better known in the 21st century

Learn about Michael Haydn’s relationships with both Wolfgang Amadé Mozart and his father Leopold Mozart

Hear about his strong influence on church music.

In this episode, you’ll:

Discover the reasons behind Haydn’s decision to temporarily relocate from Austria to England.

Hear how he was received by London society and the influence of its concert culture

Understand how these trips culminated into one of Haydn’s greatest works, The Creation.

In this episode, you’ll:

Learn about the Age of Enlightenment’s ideals and how they affect the OAE

Discover the power of creating innovative educational programs to reach new audiences

Understand the importance of modern and period instrument musicians learning from each other

In this episode, you’ll:

Discover how Maria Anna and Wolfgang influenced each other throughout their lives.

Identify why societal expectations cut short Maria Anna's career

Learn how she championed her brother, impacting our understanding of his life and works.

Orchester Wiener Akademie is a period instrument orchestra based in Vienna. Founder and music director Martin Haselböck talks about how Vienna provides unique opportunities to feel closer to Classical-era composers, such as the ability to perform in the original performance settings with their RESOUND concert series.

A previously unknown Beethoven piano piece was discovered in January 2020 among the archives of the Vienna City Hall Library. The piece was found by Dr. Jochen Reutter, editor-in-chief at Wiener Urtext Edition, and we discuss this exciting new find.

Beethoven Lieder, or art songs, are an underrepresented body of classical music repertoire. Guest Stephanie Houtzeel — mezzo-soprano from the Vienna State Opera — discusses what she learned by performing these songs during the Beethoven 2020 celebrations.. You'll also hear her perform three of Beethoven’s Lieder, accompanied by Daniel Adam Maltz.

Chorus Viennensis is a male choir composed of former members of the Vienna Boys Choir. They champion works from the Renaissance through today’s pop music — and their Advent concerts are a must-see at Christmas. Michael Schneider, conductor and artistic director, and chairman Armin Radlherr talk about the group’s unique place in Viennese music culture.

The Vienna Boys Choir (German: Wiener Sängerknaben) has delighted audiences for over 500 years and acts as an unofficial ambassador of Viennese music culture. Dr. Tina Breckwoldt, official historian for the choir, discusses their story — both past and present.

Fortepianos championed by classical composers such as Beethoven and Mozart came from a rich tradition of piano making in Vienna. Guest Dr. Alfons Huber from Vienna’s Collection of Historic Musical Instruments explains fortepiano history and why these pianos disappeared after the classical era.