Attention to Detail: The Classical Music Listening Guide

Latest Episodes:

Fundamentals Revisited: Mapping Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

Today we're joined by Hannah to break down our final fundamental technique, Mapping! We discuss how to listen to longer stretches of music with focus and attention, hearing landmark points, and how visualizing large passages of music can help to understand the structure of a big piece. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

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Fundamentals Revisited: Hearing Ideas Sep 26, 2020

Show notes

Today we review the second fundamental technique of this podcast, Hearing Ideas! We talk about how to recognize musical ideas, how to apply this technique, and some common pitfalls. Apologies for the terrible singing, we are working on limited equipment for the next two weeks!

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Fundamentals Revisited: Listening Attentively Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

After many weeks of Wagner, we decided to get back to basics and review our four fundamental techniques, starting with our first technique, Listening Attentively. Our techniques require no background knowledge, rely solely on attention, and help you to find more meaning and enjoyment in listening to classical music!

For the recording from this episode, click here.

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Musical SparkNotes: Götterdammerung, Act 3 Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

Our final review of the Ring Cycle! Today we look at Act 3 of Götterdammerung, which includes some of the most famous music Wagner ever wrote, including Siegfried's Death and Funeral March and the Immolation Scene. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

All recordings are from the Vienna Philharmonic and Georg Solti, found here.

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Musical SparkNotes: Götterdammerung, Act 2 Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

We continue our review of Götterdammerung, looking at the gloomy second act. A transition act that prepares the high drama of Act 3, we touch on several important moments, including the famous final trio of Brunnhilde, Gunther, and Hagen. Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

All recordings are from the Vienna Philharmonic and Georg Solti, found here.

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Musical SparkNotes: Götterdammerung, Act 1 Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

We're on to the final (and our favorite) opera of Wagner's Ring Cycle, Götterdammerung! Today we review the prologue and first act, which includes some of the greatest music Wagner ever wrote, like "Siegfried's Rhine Journey" and "Hagen's Watch." Remember to rate, review, and subscribe!

All recordings are from the Vienna Philharmonic and Georg Solti, found here.

www.attentiontodetailpod.com

Musical SparkNotes: Siegfried, Act 3 Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

We're joined today by my co-host, Hannah Reffett, who returns to help us break down Act 3 of Siegfried! Also, keep an eye out for our new blog, which will be coming shortly at www.attentiontodetailpod.com!

All recordings come from the Vienna Philharmonic and Georg Solti, found here.

Musical SparkNotes: Siegfried, Act 2 Aug 31, 2020

Show notes

Today we continue with Act 2 of Siegfried, deep in the forest where the dragon Fafner is guarding the Ring. We hear the epic battle between Siegfried and the dragon, the famous "Forest Murmurs," and much more!

All recordings are from the Vienna Philharmonic and Georg Solti, found here.

www.attentiontodetailpod.com

Musical SparkNotes: Siegfried, Act 1 Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

We continue our breakdown of Wagner's Ring Cycle by looking at the first act of the third opera, Siegfried!

All recordings are from the Vienna Philharmonic and Georg Solti, found here.

Remember to rank, subscribe, and leave a comment if you are enjoying our breakdowns!

www.attentiontodetailpod.com

Ring Cycle 2.0: The Lord of the Rings Soundtrack Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

On this episode, we take a break from our SparkNotes-style reviews of Wagner's Ring Cycle to look at the popular soundtrack to The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien's famous three-part story that is based on Wagner's epic saga. We examine the use of themes and leitmotifs, rank our famous moments of music, and look at similarities and differences in the plots of these two great masterpieces.

All LOTR clips come from the Complete Recordings of the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack, composed and conducted by Howard Shore.

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