Classical Breakdown

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/donatefm See 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,...

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/donatefm See 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/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

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/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was America's first woman composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra and the first American composer fully educated in the United States. She was praised and recognized but her journey to success was an uphill battle with obstacles and challenges. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's go on a musical deep dive of Haydn's final symphony. With musical examples we can breakdown Sonata Form, hear influences of other composers, and folk song! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beethoven changed all ideas and expectations about the Symphony. Bill Bukowski joins me as we figure out what happened to the symphony after Beethoven through the 21st century. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life was kind of complicated. His childhood as a musical prodigy was filled with practicing, writing music, and performing for royalty throughout Europe. He later struggled at times finding suitable employment and wanted to find his own path. It was a life lived under the watchful eye of his father, Leopold Mozart, and cut short at the age of 35. Support Classical Breakdo...

Discover music by Holst that was inspired by the gods our planets are named after in our solar system. This seven-movement orchestral suite includes the terrifying sounds of war, the comfort of peace, jollity, and so much more. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get into the new year with a work that has music for every month! Tchaikovsky's The Seasons also includes poetry and gives us a glimpse into Russian life, month by month in 1876. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waving a baton is just a small part of being a conductor. Michelle Merrill tells what it's like to prepare a concert with an orchestra, from the year before to the downbeat of the concert. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's everything you wanted to know about Handel's Messiah but were afraid to ask. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover one of the more colorful genres of classical music, the Symphonic Poem, which can depict animals, landscape, literature, and even football players! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz demonstrates musical terms on the violin, we talk about bringing sheet music to life and a special guest joins for an experiment with foreign language. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot, a new work by Alistair Coleman. Alistair talks about the inspiration for this piece, and after the performance, we talk with the quartet about putting this piece together, new playing techniques, and space travel! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kian talks about bringing people together in music, changing tempos, karate, and more. He is one of today's most celebrated young cellists and has risen the ranks as one of today's great cello soloists. His collaboration with conductor Daniel Barenboim has taken him around the world, he's performed with some of the worlds greatest orchestras. and records for Deutsche Grammophon. Support Classical...

The Symphony has been one of classical music's biggest genres. But, have you ever wondered what makes a symphony, a symphony? The origins take us back to the 17th century with symphonies that lasted only a few minutes, and we explore its development up to Beethoven's blockbuster Symphony No. 9. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

She might be the busiest chamber musician in the United States. Wu Han is in charge of several music festivals worldwide, has an intense performing schedule, and manages a record label. In this episode, she tells us about her early musical inspirations in Taiwan, how tragedy led her to another career path, where chamber music is headed, and even how to fix wardrobe malfunctions with a stapler. Sup...

Poetry, falling on the ice, and a barking dog, there is so much to hear and discover in Antonio Vivaldi’s masterpiece, The Four Seasons. In this episode, we get into the details and musical examples with a recording that brings a fresh perspective to this work published nearly 300 years ago. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mozart and Beethoven were genius composers, but they wrote music very differently. Renowned composer from Washington, Alistair Coleman, tells us what made Beethoven and Mozart different and describes his own music writing process. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.