In this episode, we explore Gustav Mahler's First Symphony, also known as Titan. We give a brief account of who Gustav Mahler was, discuss the history and conception of the piece, as well as go over each movement and discuss their structure and themes.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating/review and sharing this episode with your family and friends. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

Recommended recordings:

Seiji Ozawa with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1988)

Klaus Tennstedt with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1990)

Claudio Abbado with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1981)

In this episode, we give a quick introduction to one of the best recent video game soundtracks, Octopath Traveler. We go through the background (0:33), the main theme (2:07), the character/location/town themes (6:28), the battle themes (12:16), and the ending theme (16:14).

Want to find out more about Octopath Traveler's Soundtrack? You can visit the composers blog (though it is in Japanese) and check out this interview with Yasunori Nishiki!

In this episode, we explore Beethoven's famous 5th Symphony. We discuss the history and conception of the piece, as well as going over each movement and discussing their structure and themes.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating/review and sharing this episode with your family and friends. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

Music used:

Beethoven Symphony No. 5 conducted by Herbert von Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic

Sources used (if you want to explore more):

In this episode, we give a quick introduction to the life and music of composer Ludwig Van Beethoven, one of the most important composers in Western classical music.

Music used (all pieces were composed by Beethoven):

If you want to explore more: most of the information comes from Beethoven by Barry Cooper. Some additional sources used are listed below.

In this episode, we explore The Butterfly Lovers' Concerto. We discuss the history and the conception of the piece, the story that inspired it, and the structure of this piece.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating/review and sharing this episode with your family and friends. If you have questions or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

Music used:

Sources used (if you want to explore more):

In this episode, we explore Dvořák's 9th Symphony, commonly known as the "New World Symphony". We discuss the history and conception of the piece, as well as going over each movement and discussing their structure and themes.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating/review and sharing this episode with your family and friends. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

Music used:

Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, "From the New World" composed by Antonin Dvořák. Most excerpts were performed by the New York Philharmonic with Leonard Bernstein conducting. One excerpt was performed by the Münchner Philharmoniker and conducted by Sergiu Celibidache.  An excerpt from Swing Low, Sweet Chariot performed by Etta James was also used.

Sources used (if you want to explore more):

http://www.antonin-dvorak.cz/en/symphony9

http://www.antonin-dvorak.cz/en/did-you-know

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/24/arts/music/the-deal-that-brought-dvorak-to-new-york.html

In our first episode, we give a quick introduction about the podcast, including what it is about and our mission with this podcast. After this, we dive into exploring John Powell's incredible score for How to Train Your Dragon. We discuss the important themes and go over each track, providing our own thoughts and analysis. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating/review and sharing this episode with your family and friends. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback, please email us at [email protected].

Music used:

This is Berk by John Powell

Dragon Battle by John Powell

Downed Dragon by John Powell

Dragon Book by John Powell

Forbidden Friendship by John Powell

Test Drive by John Powell

Sources used (if you want to explore more):

Full Orchestral Score for How to Train Your Dragon:
https://omnimusicpublishing.com/product/john-powells-how-to-train-your-dragon-full-orchestral-score/

How to Train Your Brass Section by Ryan Leach:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9nbWehBOfc

Why How To Train Your Dragon Has The Best Opening Ever by Sideways:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UUJQH7GLms