A Fifth of Mahler, Part One

Over the next three episodes, we'll be exploring the state of classical music. Times are fraught! Attendance is down, institutions are broke (and in some cases broken), and scandals involving sexual harassment and racism have destabilized the music culture. On top of that, what do we want with the dusty old white guy music anyway?

In this episode, host Jessa Crispin discusses how hard it is right now to get into difficult music as a listener. Using the figure of Gustav Mahler -- overlooked in his time while facing discrimination for being Jewish -- to think about our affinity for music and how one can build it. She talks to critics and scholars to learn what music does for us, and where listeners can go in a time when institutions are closing, music programs in schools are being shut down, and there's an understanding that art is only something for the wealthy.

Hosted by Jessa Crispin, produced by Zach Toman. Art by Jen May.