John McWhorter - Lover of Language

Columbia University Professor of Linguistics John McWhorter, chats with Manny about swear words, Broadway, and tackles the conundrums of musical etymology.  McWhorter also makes the case for the brilliant first movement of Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor. The two then square off in a game about famous classical pieces that bombed at their premieres. Our theme song is Schumann’s Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18 performed by our host, Emanuel Ax. Music used in today’s episode includes: Strike Up the Band: The Man I Love (Arr. For orchestra) Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, I. Allegro Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3 “The Hunt” Herzgewächse  Symphony No. 5 in D Major, I. Preludio. Moderato. Allegro Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178 Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 53, B. 108: I. Allegro ma non troppo Listen and Subscribe to Classical Music Happy Hour wherever you get your podcasts.  Credits Classical Music Happy Hour is supported in part by the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and by Linda Nelson. Our production team includes Lauren Purcell-Joiner, Eileen Delahunty, Laura Boyman, Elizabeth Nonamaker, David Norville, Christine Herskovits, and Ed Yim. Our engineering team includes George Wellington, Irene Trudel, and Chase Culpon. Classical Music Happy Hour is produced by WQXR in partnership with Carnegie Hall.