Cover image of Classical Breakdown

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.

Ranked #1

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Handel's Messiah, from swords, hidden meanings, to theft!

Handel's Messiah, from swords, hidden meanings, to theft!

Here's everything you wanted to know about Handel's Messiah but were afraid to ask.Support Classical Breakdown: https://... Read more

3 Dec 2019

1hr 13mins

Ranked #2

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What is a Symphony? Part 1

What is a Symphony? Part 1

The Symphony has been one of classical music's biggest genres. But, have you ever wondered what makes a symphony, a symp... Read more

24 Sep 2019

33mins

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Ranked #3

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What is a Symphonic Poem?

What is a Symphonic Poem?

Discover one of the more colorful genres of classical music, the Symphonic Poem, which can depict animals, landscape, li... Read more

19 Nov 2019

20mins

Ranked #4

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The life of Mozart

The life of Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life was kind of complicated. His childhood as a musical prodigy was filled with practicing, w... Read more

28 Jan 2020

1hr 2mins

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Ranked #5

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How does a composer actually write music?

How does a composer actually write music?

Mozart and Beethoven were genius composers, but they wrote music very differently. Renowned composer from Washington, Al... Read more

10 Sep 2019

35mins

Ranked #6

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What does a conductor do?

What does a conductor do?

Waving a baton is just a small part of being a conductor. Michelle Merrill tells what it's like to prepare a concert wit... Read more

17 Dec 2019

57mins

Ranked #7

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Reading between the notes - making a score come alive

Reading between the notes - making a score come alive

Liz demonstrates musical terms on the violin, we talk about bringing sheet music to life and a special guest joins for a... Read more

5 Nov 2019

27mins

Ranked #8

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Tchaikovsky's The Seasons

Tchaikovsky's The Seasons

Get into the new year with a work that has music for every month! Tchaikovsky's The Seasons also includes poetry and giv... Read more

31 Dec 2019

27mins

Ranked #9

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The Planets by Holst

The Planets by Holst

Discover music by Holst that was inspired by the gods our planets are named after in our solar system. This seven-moveme... Read more

14 Jan 2020

26mins

Ranked #10

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Kian Soltani, cellist, talks tempo, karate, and his debut album "Home"

Kian Soltani, cellist, talks tempo, karate, and his debut album "Home"

Kian talks about bringing people together in music, changing tempos, karate, and more. He is one of today's most celebra... Read more

8 Oct 2019

32mins

Ranked #11

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What is a Symphony? Part 2

What is a Symphony? Part 2

Beethoven changed all ideas and expectations about the Symphony. Bill Bukowski joins me as we figure out what happened t... Read more

11 Feb 2020

50mins

Ranked #12

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The Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot

The Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot

The Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot, a new work by Alistair Coleman. Alistair talks about the inspiration for this piece,... Read more

22 Oct 2019

37mins

Ranked #13

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Debussy's La Mer - Part 3

Debussy's La Mer - Part 3

Debussy's La Mer is as imaginative and playful as it was in 1905, and while the original audience wasn't as receptive, i... Read more

5 May 2020

17mins

Ranked #14

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Debussy's La Mer - Part 2

Debussy's La Mer - Part 2

The trumpet shines through in Jeux de Vagues, (Play of the Waves), the second movement of Debussy's La mer. This is part... Read more

21 Apr 2020

12mins

Ranked #15

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Debussy's La Mer - Part 1

Debussy's La Mer - Part 1

An orchestral staple today, this work about "the sea" wasn't well received at it's premiere. Audiences may have expected... Read more

7 Apr 2020

20mins

Ranked #16

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Artist Relief Tree, supporting artists affected by cancellations due to COVID-19

Artist Relief Tree, supporting artists affected by cancellations due to COVID-19

The Arts community is severely affected by the current situation involving COVID-19. Artist Relief Tree was created by M... Read more

24 Mar 2020

12mins

Ranked #17

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The Life and Music of Amy Beach, an American pioneer

The Life and Music of Amy Beach, an American pioneer

She was America's first woman composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra and the first American composer... Read more

10 Mar 2020

26mins

Ranked #18

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Haydn's final London Symphony

Haydn's final London Symphony

Let's go on a musical deep dive of Haydn's final symphony. With musical examples we can breakdown Sonata Form, hear infl... Read more

25 Feb 2020

51mins

Ranked #19

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The Four Seasons, how Vivaldi depicts the world in sound

The Four Seasons, how Vivaldi depicts the world in sound

Poetry, falling on the ice, and a barking dog, there is so much to hear and discover in Antonio Vivaldi’s masterpiece, T... Read more

10 Sep 2019

55mins

Ranked #20

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Wu Han, pianist and cultural entrepreneur

Wu Han, pianist and cultural entrepreneur

She might be the busiest chamber musician in the United States. Wu Han is in charge of several music festivals worldwide... Read more

10 Sep 2019

34mins

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