Classical Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

What is a Concerto? May 04, 2021

Show notes

Where did the concerto come from and how did it evolve? We explore its origins, development through Haydn and Mozart, some of the most challenging concertos of the 19th century, and a couple of "hidden gems."

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Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. A masterpiece and tribute to a friend. Apr 20, 2021

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This masterpiece, originally for piano, was inspired by the tragic loss of a friend, and Ravel's orchestration is a work of art in itself. While roughly half of the original pictures have been lost, we do have descriptions of the originals that give insight to Mussorgsky's music and Ravel's orchestration.

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What is a Bassoon? Sue Heineman, Principal Bassoon of the NSO, tells us everything! Apr 06, 2021

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How does a bassoon make a sound and what is its purpose? Principal Bassoonist of the National Symphony Orchestra Sue Heineman doesn't just tell us; she also plays her favorite moments and discusses how it all fits together in the orchestra.

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Appalachian Spring, an American classic by Aaron Copland Mar 23, 2021

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There is so much to discover about this masterpiece, like its collaborative and ballet origins, Copland's inventive use of an unknown folk tune, and even how it got its name.

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The Life of Bach Mar 09, 2021

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Today we know him as one of the greatest and most influential composers, but that wasn’t always the case. Learn how a teenager became responsible for Bach’s revival, how is music changed from job to job, and even how he wound up in jail for nearly a month!

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The life of Florence Price Feb 23, 2021

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Dr. Karen Walwyn discusses the life and music of Florence Price, the first woman African American composer to have a symphony played by a major orchestra in the United States.

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Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World." The origins and inspirations you didn't know. Feb 09, 2021

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There is a lot you may not know about the origins, inspirations and influencers when it comes to this masterpiece by Dvorak. We get into the details and music with examples from the latest recording from the National Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Noseda.

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It's fun and it's virtuosic! Exploring Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 Jan 26, 2021

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You might not know this concerto by its number, but you're surely familiar with one of its aria-like melodies that has appeared in film and popular music.

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What does a Concertmaster really do? Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef of the NSO explains. Jan 12, 2021

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It's one of the most competitive positions in all of classical music. Learn more about the role of a concertmaster from Nurit Bar-Josef, Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra.
She plays her favorite concertmaster solos

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The life of Strauss Jr. aka "The Waltz King" Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

His music is celebrated today, especially around New Year's, and his waltzes are bound to put a smile on your face. Learn about Strauss Jr.'s life, his music, and a surprising answer he gave a New York reporter about his visit to Boston.

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