Classical Breakdown
WETA Classical
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.
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Top 10 Classical Breakdown Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Classical Breakdown episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Classical Breakdown for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Classical Breakdown episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Felix Mendelssohn: A prodigy, inventor, and visionary!
Classical Breakdown
05/27/25 • 67 min
Join us to explore Felix Mendelssohn's life through 4 different aspects of life that separated him from nearly every other composer. John Banther and James Jacobs explore his life, what made him different, and enjoy a full performance of one of his iconic works too!
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The most difficult music for piano: Gaspard de la Nuit by Maurice Ravel
Classical Breakdown
04/01/25 • 37 min
Ravel wrote something so difficult he couldn't even play it, and he even dared to criticize others' performances! Linda Carducci and John Banther dive into a work that challenges the most virtuosic of soloists, its frightening accompanying poetry, and what exactly makes it so difficult.
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The life of Beethoven
Classical Breakdown
09/08/20 • 68 min
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Olly Wilson, an American composer that will change how you hear music!
Classical Breakdown
02/18/25 • 41 min
This American composer was a pioneer in electronic music, commissioned works with major orchestras, and did groundbreaking work in musicology connecting music traditions from West Africa to the United States. John Banther and Evan Keely explore 3 of his works and look at his work in musicology that will change how you hear music!
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Ravel's Bolero with Joshua Weilerstein: A conductor's insight
Classical Breakdown
05/03/22 • 38 min
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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Dvorak's Cello Concerto, 5 things to listen for!
Classical Breakdown
01/25/22 • 29 min
There is always something new to discover, no matter how many times you've heard a piece. Our resident cello player, James Jacobs, joins John Banther to give you 5 things to listen for in this masterpiece that you've either missed or could experience differently.
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Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
Classical Breakdown
12/01/20 • 52 min
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How does a composer actually write music?
Classical Breakdown
09/10/19 • 35 min
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 his own music writing process.
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Aaron Copland: The Sound of America
Classical Breakdown
12/10/24 • 47 min
One of the most iconic American composers was at one point even considered by some to be "un-American." John Banther and Evan Keely explore Copland's life, works you probably don't know, what influenced him, how he created an "American" sound, and why he was questioned at length in a senate subcommittee hearing in 1953.
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Verdi's Rigoletto: Unforgettable tunes, tragedy, and a new concept in opera
Classical Breakdown
05/13/25 • 70 min
Verdi considered this character worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy, and he delivers just that! John Banther and Linda Carducci explore Verdi's masterpiece and show you what to listen for, intricacies of the characters and plot, the banned origin story, and so much more.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Classical Breakdown have?
Classical Breakdown currently has 134 episodes available.
What topics does Classical Breakdown cover?
The podcast is about Music, Music History, Podcasts and Music Commentary.
What is the most popular episode on Classical Breakdown?
The episode title 'The most difficult music for piano: Gaspard de la Nuit by Maurice Ravel' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Classical Breakdown?
The average episode length on Classical Breakdown is 43 minutes.
How often are episodes of Classical Breakdown released?
Episodes of Classical Breakdown are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Classical Breakdown?
The first episode of Classical Breakdown was released on Sep 10, 2019.
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