Classical Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

By Listener Request: 3 deep dives into works by Pachelbel, Liszt, and Vaughan Williams Oct 04, 2022

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Coming to you from our email inbox, here's an episode of music requested by you the listener! These three works are iconic, but leave your preconceived notions at the door and prepare to hear them in a new way. Plus, we also do a little Q&A at the end of the show.

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Claude Debussy: 4 points to hear his music in a new way! Sep 20, 2022

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Was he an impressionist, symbolist, or something else? John Banther and Evan Keely dive into the life and music of Debussy while giving you 4 points to hear his music in a whole new way.

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Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: A Baltimore connection and hidden themes! Sep 06, 2022

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Season 4 kicks off with one of the most beloved works in the orchestral repertoire. John Banther and Bill Bukowski talk about the theme's origins, melodies hidden in plain sight, moments to listen for, and what Rachmaninoff did to calm his nerves the night of the premiere!

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Summer Listening Guide: 4 albums to expand your musical horizons! Jun 28, 2022

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Half the fun of music is finding something new, so why not use the summer to discover new classical favorites while you hit the road, the mountains, the beach, or wherever!

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Grieg’s Piano Concerto: The Heart of Norway Jun 14, 2022

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Enjoy a full recording of this concerto after Linda and John discuss its origin, Norwegian influences, and what to listen for.

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An Unsung Heroine: The Life and Music of Fanny Mendelssohn May 31, 2022

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She was a composer whose music was wrongfully neglected and was sometimes attributed and published under her brother's name. Join Evan Keely and John Banther as they discuss the unique challenges she faced, her letters, late success in publishing, and more.

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Under Pressure: What is an Oboe with Nick Stovall, NSO's Principal Oboe May 17, 2022

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Ravel's Bolero with Joshua Weilerstein: A conductor's insight May 03, 2022

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It seems simple on the surface, but there is a lot to discover in Ravel's most famous work (much to his dismay!). Joshua Weilerstein, one of today's in-demand conductors, joins John Banther to offer his perspective on the music and all the details that need to be addressed to pull it off in performance.

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Piano Transformed: The Life and Music of Frederic Chopin Apr 19, 2022

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He was a different kind of composer than Mozart and Beethoven, and he transformed how we hear the piano. John Banther and Bill Bukowski talk about Chopin's early life, relationships, new styles of music he wrote, what set him apart, and more!

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All about that bass! With NSO Principal Bass Robert Oppelt Apr 05, 2022

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The Bass is one of the largest and lowest instruments in the orchestra. Learn how it evolved and was used over the centuries, how it can play solos just like any other instrument, and more!

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