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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.

149 episodes•0 subscribers•0 Total Listens

Episode Playlist

50 episodes

Nov 28, 2023•—

Opera 101, everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask!

Dec 12, 2023•—

Augusta Holmès' Andromède; an epic Greek myth inspired symphonic poem!

Dec 26, 2023•—

Jean Sibelius, how a composer became the voice of a nation!

Jan 9, 2024•—

Episode 100, let's celebrate!

Jan 23, 2024•—

Korngold's Violin Concerto, from the Golden Age of Hollywood!

Feb 6, 2024•—

6 recommended works by living Black composers!

Feb 20, 2024•—

The life and music of Antonin Dvořák; from humble beginnings to stardom!

Mar 5, 2024•—

The secret life of a classical recording engineer: Meet WETA's Charles Lawson

Mar 19, 2024•—

Joan Tower's Concerto for Orchestra, an adventure in color, illusion, and rhythm!

Apr 2, 2024•—

The Evolution of the Piano: A Thousand Year Journey!

Apr 16, 2024•—

Haydn's masterpiece for 4 soloists and orchestra, the Sinfonia Concertante

Apr 30, 2024•—

The Life of Nadia Boulanger: A Lasting Impact from Bernstein to Sesame Street

May 14, 2024•—

Robert Schumann's Carnaval: A solo piano brings a masked ball to life!

May 28, 2024•—

Elgar's Enigma Variations, a portrait of friends, life, and love!

Jun 11, 2024•—

What is a cello? Star cellist Amit Peled tells all!

Jun 25, 2024•—

Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this summer!

Sep 3, 2024•—

Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 "Romantic"; a monumental masterpiece!

Sep 17, 2024•—

The Great Unfinished Works

Oct 1, 2024•—

The lives and music of Silvestre Revueltas and Gabriela Lena Frank

Oct 15, 2024•—

The horn: Everything you need to know from Mozart, Mahler, to the movie screen!

Oct 29, 2024•—

Beethoven’s iconic Violin Concerto: what to listen for and why it was an initial flop!

Nov 12, 2024•—

The Life and Music of Gioachino Rossini: An overnight success, foodie, and opera sensation

Nov 26, 2024•—

Dora Pejačević's Symphony in F# minor; Croatia's very first symphony!

Dec 10, 2024•—

Aaron Copland: The Sound of America

Dec 24, 2024•—

Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!

Jan 7, 2025•—

Chris Gekker tells us everything about the trumpet!

Jan 21, 2025•—

Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy

Feb 4, 2025•—

Carlos Simon's Songs of Separation: An American song cycle set to poetry of Rumi

Feb 18, 2025•—

Olly Wilson, an American composer that will change how you hear music!

Mar 4, 2025•—

Ethel Smyth's Mass in D: A 19th century mass by an extraordinary woman!

Mar 18, 2025•—

The Future is Female: Exploring Clarice Assad and the Boulanger Initiative with Laura Colgate

Apr 1, 2025•—

The most difficult music for piano: Gaspard de la Nuit by Maurice Ravel

Apr 10, 2025•—

An update on Florence Price!

Apr 15, 2025•—

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5: a symphony of bravery, intrigue, and survival

Apr 29, 2025•—

John Williams: a defining American composer that goes beyond the silver screen

May 13, 2025•—

Verdi's Rigoletto: Unforgettable tunes, tragedy, and a new concept in opera

May 27, 2025•—

Felix Mendelssohn: A prodigy, inventor, and visionary!

Jun 10, 2025•—

Mahler's Symphony No. 5, a story of uncertainty and triumph

Jun 24, 2025•—

Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this summer!

Sep 2, 2025•—

Maurice Ravel at 150: celebrating his life, music, and influence!

Sep 9, 2025•—

Bonus episode! A performance of a suite from the ballet Daphnis and Chloe by Maurice Ravel

Sep 16, 2025•—

The Great World of Percussion with Chris DeChiara: From bones and war drums to symphonies!

Sep 30, 2025•—

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica", Rejecting Napoleon and Charting a New Path!

Oct 14, 2025•—

Xuefei Yang performs Erik Satie and shares insight into her new album!

Oct 21, 2025•—

Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang

Oct 28, 2025•—

Death in music! 10 works that explore life’s final question

Nov 11, 2025•—

Adolphus Hailstork, an American composer writing for our time

Nov 18, 2025•—

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs Hailstork's An American Port of Call

Nov 25, 2025•—

Clara Wieck Schumann's Piano Concerto; a teenage work of genius

Dec 9, 2025•—

Classical Breakdown

Episode Playlist

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