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PODCAST

Classical Breakdown

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.

music music commentary

All Episodes

31:21

Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/06/24

It's the final episode of Season 6, and per tradition, it's an episode with recommended summer listening. Thank you very much for listening, rating, and sharing the podcast as it continues to grow year after year with your help! In this episode, there 4 albums to explore, taking us on a journey to ancient cities, flirtatious oboe playing, an emotional rollercoaster, and more!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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70:15

Mahler's Symphony No. 5, a story of uncertainty and...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/06/10

This work marks a departure from his previous symphonies, which were linked together by vocal music. But what is this? Is this Mahler working through his mortality and uncertainty, or something else? John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how Mahler achieves his unique sound, and what it could all mean.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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67:29

Felix Mendelssohn: A prodigy, inventor, and visionary!

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/05/27

Join us to explore Felix Mendelssohn's life through 4 different aspects of life that separated him from nearly every other composer. John Banther and James Jacobs explore his life, what made him different, and enjoy a full performance of one of his iconic works too!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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70:13

Verdi's Rigoletto: Unforgettable tunes, tragedy, and...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/05/13

Verdi considered this character worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy, and he delivers just that! John Banther and Linda Carducci explore Verdi's masterpiece and show you what to listen for, intricacies of the characters and plot, the banned origin story, and so much more.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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59:03

John Williams: a defining American composer that goes...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/04/29

You knew this composer before you knew his name, and he has shaped the sound of movies and childhoods for generations. Join us to learn about aspects of his life you didn't know, like his early career and first film scores, influences, nonfilm work, and more!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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60:04

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5: a symphony of bravery,...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/04/15

Few other works in the canon occupy a place like this symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich. John Banther and Evan Keely dive into history as they show you what to listen for, Shostakovich's perilous circumstances, and what clues he could have left for all of us in the music.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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1:55

An update on Florence Price!

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/04/10

I have a special update for you on Florence Price because of the hard work of a particular listener and a previous guest.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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37:31

The most difficult music for piano: Gaspard de la...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/04/01

Ravel wrote something so difficult he couldn't even play it, and he even dared to criticize others' performances! Linda Carducci and John Banther dive into a work that challenges the most virtuosic of soloists, its frightening accompanying poetry, and what exactly makes it so difficult.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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55:00

The Future is Female: Exploring Clarice Assad and the...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/03/18

Discover contemporary works by living Brazillian composer Clarice Assad that cover chamber music, solo piano, and orchestra. Then Co-Founder Laura Colgate tells us everything we need to know about and how you can benefit from the Boulanger Initiative, which advocates for women and gender-marginalized composers.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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57:26

Ethel Smyth's Mass in D: A 19th century mass by an...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/03/04

Conductor Steven Fox joins John Banther to talk about this Mass that was overlooked after its premiere in 1893. Fox tells us everything we need to know about a mass, what to listen for, and how Ethel Smyth's mass stands apart. We also touch on her life as she was an aggressive suffragette, women's rights advocate, and openly bisexual composer in the 19th and early 20th centuries.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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41:15

Olly Wilson, an American composer that will change...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/02/18

This American composer was a pioneer in electronic music, commissioned works with major orchestras, and did groundbreaking work in musicology connecting music traditions from West Africa to the United States. John Banther and Evan Keely explore 3 of his works and look at his work in musicology that will change how you hear music!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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47:06

Carlos Simon's Songs of Separation: An American song...

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/02/04

Explore the different emotional aspects of loss, grief, and separation in this orchestral song cycle by Kenedy Center composer-in-residence Carlos Simon. John Banther and Evan Keely explore the text by Rumi, how Simon pairs this directly in the music, and moments to listen for!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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44:38

Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/01/21

Music was used in World War 2 like never before, from propaganda to national pride. John Banther and Evan Keely explore Copland's musical effort to rally a defense for democracy using Abraham Lincoln's timeless words and examine why it was banned from a Presidential inauguration.Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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61:40

Chris Gekker tells us everything about the trumpet!

Classical Breakdown ·

2025/01/07

We take a glimpse into the massive world and history of the trumpet! From its use in military battles and physical dangers to beautifully soft moments on the stage, world-renowned trumpeter and teacher Chris Gekker joins John Banther for a wide-ranging discussion on the trumpet, and he plays examples for us too!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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92:43

Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!

Classical Breakdown ·

2024/12/24

WETA resident cello player James Jacobs joins John Banther for a deep dive into the 6 iconic cello suites by JS Bach. With cello in hand, James demonstrates different aspects of the suites and shows us what to listen for, plus we enjoy a full recording performance of one of the suites at the end!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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47:18

Aaron Copland: The Sound of America

Classical Breakdown ·

2024/12/10

One of the most iconic American composers was at one point even considered by some to be "un-American." John Banther and Evan Keely explore Copland's life, works you probably don't know, what influenced him, how he created an "American" sound, and why he was questioned at length in a senate subcommittee hearing in 1953. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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45:05

Dora Pejačević's Symphony in F# minor; Croatia's very...

Classical Breakdown ·

2024/11/26

We get a rare opportunity to look at a country's first symphony, and it wasn't written until 1917! John and Evan explore Pejačević's symphony and show you what to listen for, what sets her symphony apart from others of the time, and how WWI directly affected her and this very work. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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46:06

The Life and Music of Gioachino Rossini: An overnight...

Classical Breakdown ·

2024/11/12

Few composers were an overnight sensation like Gioachino Rossini! We have 3 musical characteristics of his to show you as we explore his life, travels, his love of food, and why he might have quit at the height of his fame at age 37. Plus, stay with us to the end for the Rossini cocktail!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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42:41

Beethoven’s iconic Violin Concerto: what to listen...

Classical Breakdown ·

2024/10/29

Why was the premiere a failure, and how did it get back into the repertoire? John Banther and Evan Keely uncover unique characteristics in this concerto, what to listen for, and its beguiling opening!Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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61:58

The horn: Everything you need to know from Mozart,...

Classical Breakdown ·

2024/10/15

One of the oldest instruments and one of the most beloved has to be the horn! Chandra Cervantes, one of the most in-demand horn players in the DC area, tells all about its development and use in music, plus, she plays for us some iconic music on the horn. You can find videos and recordings of her playing on the show notes page at classicalbreakdown.org. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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155 results

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