Classical Breakdown

Discover the musical details and backstory of a work that's captivated listeners for over a century. John Banther and Linda Carducci discuss its origins and use their imagination to fill in the musical gaps.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the life and works of one classical music's greatest composers! His life was full of groundbreaking music, but it was also tragic as he dealt with family problems and hearing loss. We explore the details of his life and listen to samples of his music, from his first composition to his final Symphony No. 9.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Expand your musical palate with music found in an attic in 2009, new interpretations of Beethoven and Franck, and an instrument you've probably never heard before.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brownlee talks about equality in classical music, his experience as a black man in the world of opera, and what we can do to encourage positive change towards a more diverse future in classical music.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haydn's 1st cello concerto was lost for 200 years and is now considered one of the greatest cello concertos of the 18th century. Dr. Greenwald tells us how music can go missing, we examine musical examples that set this concerto apart, and we enjoy a full performance!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the flute invented, how did it evolve, what does a bass flute sound like? Learn all this and more with Principal Flute of the National Symphony Orchestra, Aaron Goldman.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debussy's La Mer is as imaginative and playful as it was in 1905, and while the original audience wasn't as receptive, it's become an orchestra staple over the last century. The final movement is called "Dialogue du vent et de la mer" (Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea) and features a theme originating in the oboe. We'll hear from Nicholas Stovall, Principal Oboe of the National Symphony Orchestra, on what this passage means to him and why he had to play it during Principal Flute auditions.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trumpet shines through in Jeux de Vagues, (Play of the Waves), the second movement of Debussy's La mer. This is part 2 of our 3 part series on Debussy's enchanting orchestral work, La Mer.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An orchestral staple today, this work about "the sea" wasn't well received at it's premiere. Audiences may have expected a Strauss-esque symphonic poem to bring the sea to life, but Debussy was more interested in the abstract. This is part 1 of our 3 part series on Debussy's enchanting orchestral work, La Mer.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Arts community is severely affected by the current situation involving COVID-19. Artist Relief Tree was created by Morgan Brophy to give direct support to artists and musicians.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.