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Classical Breakdown: Daily Summaries Delivered
by WETA Classical
John Banther takes classical music fans behind the scenes with interviews, deep dives, and analysis.
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The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days ago54 min
Bonus! A performance of Mozart's Requiem
We learned all about Mozart's final work last week with Steven Fox, now we get to put our ears to work and enjoy a full performance.
- 1 weeks ago1h 27m
Your Guide to Mozart's Requiem with Steven Fox
Who better to learn about all the nitty-gritty of Mozart's Requiem than a conductor who's been living it his whole life? Steven Fox, Music Director of the Cathedral Choral Society, came to the studio with the score in hand and answered all of John's burning questions.
- 3 weeks ago34 min
Snoopy and the Gang come to life in Ellen Taafe Zwilich's Peanuts Gallery!
What kind of dance is Snoopy's favorite? What is Schroeder's favorite Beethoven sonata? And will Charlie ever kick the football? John Banther and Evan Keely learn all about that and more in the imaginative piano concerto, Peanuts Gallery, by American Composer Ellen Zwilich.
- Sep 29, 202653 min
William Schuman: The composer that shaped Juilliard, the Lincoln Center, and American music
Why is it that this composer's name is probably not known to you? John Banther and Evan Keely explore some of his extraordinary music and achievements in the arts, including how he shaped art institutions and his very unusual start in composing music.
- Sep 15, 202638 min
What is a Harp with Nadia Pessoa: Ancient origins to modern innovations!
Not too many instruments in the orchestra have a history that spans the centuries, and use of the harp! Nadia Pessoa, a Washington, DC-area harpist, shares with us the harp's use in the orchestra from around 1600 to now, answers John's burning questions, and plays for us, including a recent viral tune on the harp.
- Sep 8, 202649 min
Bonus! A performance of Handel's Water Music
Enjoy a Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra recording of the music we learned about last week, plus a listener comment that helps clarify the situation after Queen Anne's death!
- Sep 1, 202648 min
Handel's Water Music; a Kings bid to lift his reputation and one smelly river
Why did Handel write this, and what would it have been like on the river's edge? John Banther and Linda Carducci explore how Handel went above and beyond for a King and even what it would have been like for the musicians.
- Jun 23, 202634 min
Season 7 Recommended Summer Listening!
It's time again to look at some recently recorded albums for us to enjoy and grow with this summer. John Banther has 4 albums to recommend, and one of them includes a remarkable composer's story!
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About Classical Breakdown
John Banther takes classical music fans behind the scenes with interviews, deep dives, and analysis.
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