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.
- Update frequency
- every 14 days
- Average duration
- 43 minutes
- Episodes
- 138
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
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 a Strauss-esque symphonic poem to bring the sea to life, but Debussy was more …
00:20:24 |
Tue 07 Apr 2020
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 Morgan Brophy to give direct support to artists and musicians.
00:12:40 |
Tue 24 Mar 2020
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 fully educated in the United States. She was praised and recognized but her jo…
00:26:02 |
Tue 10 Mar 2020
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 influences of other composers, and folk song!
00:51:03 |
Tue 25 Feb 2020
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 to the symphony after Beethoven through the 21st century.
00:50:41 |
Tue 11 Feb 2020
The life of Mozart
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 …
01:02:50 |
Tue 28 Jan 2020
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-movement orchestral suite includes the terrifying sounds of war, the comfort of peace…
00:26:58 |
Tue 14 Jan 2020
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 gives us a glimpse into Russian life, month by month in 1876.
00:27:51 |
Tue 31 Dec 2019
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 with an orchestra, from the year before to the downbeat of the concert.
00:57:52 |
Tue 17 Dec 2019
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.
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01:13:54 |
Tue 03 Dec 2019
What is a Symphonic Poem?
Discover one of the more colorful genres of classical music, the Symphonic Poem, which can depict animals, landscape, literature, and even football players!
00:20:07 |
Tue 19 Nov 2019
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 an experiment with foreign language.
00:27:46 |
Tue 05 Nov 2019
The Abeo Quartet performs Moonshot
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 t…
00:37:23 |
Tue 22 Oct 2019
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 celebrated young cellists and has risen the ranks as one of today's great cello solois…
00:32:08 |
Tue 08 Oct 2019
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 symphony? The origins take us back to the 17th century with symphonies that lasted …
00:33:48 |
Tue 24 Sep 2019
How does a composer actually write music?
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…
00:35:25 |
Tue 10 Sep 2019
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, The Four Seasons. In this episode, we get into the details and musical examples …
00:55:00 |
Tue 10 Sep 2019
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, has an intense performing schedule, and manages a record label. In this episo…
00:34:58 |
Tue 10 Sep 2019
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