Classical Breakdown
Music

Classical Breakdown

by 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.

102 episodes
EN-US language
All Episodes
1
Richard Wagner: The flawed man who changed opera
1:18:39 Mar 31, 2026
2
Bonus! 3 Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tampered Clavier Book 1 by Sam Post
14:32 Mar 24, 2026
3
The Well-TAMPERED Clavier: A rhythmic reimagining of JS Bach by Sam Post
44:21 Mar 17, 2026
4
Brahms Symphony No. 3: Perfection in Orchestration and Form
51:04 Mar 3, 2026
5
3 Composers lost to Tyranny
43:15 Feb 17, 2026
6
Meet Grammy-Winning Composer Jessie Montgomery!
40:05 Feb 3, 2026
7
A performance of Carnival of the Animals featuring Argerich and Freire!
25:35 Jan 27, 2026
8
Carnival of the Animals, a work of genius kept hidden (plus animal facts!)
1:02:54 Jan 20, 2026
9
Bonus episode: Ballet music from 2 operas by Verdi!
17:48 Jan 13, 2026
10
Giuseppe Verdi: A life of drama, censorship, and even farming!
57:59 Jan 6, 2026
11
Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto, one of the most challenging works for violin!
52:04 Dec 23, 2025
12
A performance of Emilie Mayer's Cello Sonata in D minor featuring Grace Mockus
28:07 Dec 16, 2025
13
Emilie Mayer; Rediscovering a celebrated 19th-century composer
45:04 Dec 9, 2025
14
Clara Wieck Schumann's Piano Concerto; a teenage work of genius
38:30 Nov 25, 2025
15
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs Hailstork's An American Port of Call
10:21 Nov 18, 2025
16
Adolphus Hailstork, an American composer writing for our time
54:25 Nov 11, 2025
17
Death in music! 10 works that explore life’s final question
47:52 Oct 28, 2025
18
Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang
12:45 Oct 21, 2025
19
Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang
12:45 Oct 21, 2025
20
Xuefei Yang performs Erik Satie and shares insight into her new album!
41:11 Oct 14, 2025
21
Xuefei Yang performs Erik Satie and shares insight into her new album!
41:11 Oct 14, 2025
22
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica", Rejecting Napoleon and Charting a New Path!
1:04:11 Sep 30, 2025
23
The Great World of Percussion with Chris DeChiara: From bones and war drums to symphonies!
1:44:57 Sep 16, 2025
24
Bonus episode! A performance of a suite from the ballet Daphnis and Chloe by Maurice Ravel
16:35 Sep 9, 2025
25
Maurice Ravel at 150: celebrating his life, music, and influence!
1:23:43 Sep 2, 2025
26
Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this summer!
31:21 Jun 24, 2025
27
Mahler's Symphony No. 5, a story of uncertainty and triumph
1:10:15 Jun 10, 2025
28
Felix Mendelssohn: A prodigy, inventor, and visionary!
1:07:29 May 27, 2025
29
Verdi's Rigoletto: Unforgettable tunes, tragedy, and a new concept in opera
1:10:13 May 13, 2025
30
John Williams: a defining American composer that goes beyond the silver screen
59:03 Apr 29, 2025
31
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5: a symphony of bravery, intrigue, and survival
1:00:04 Apr 15, 2025
32
An update on Florence Price!
1:55 Apr 10, 2025
33
The most difficult music for piano: Gaspard de la Nuit by Maurice Ravel
37:31 Apr 1, 2025
34
The Future is Female: Exploring Clarice Assad and the Boulanger Initiative with Laura Colgate
55:00 Mar 18, 2025
35
Ethel Smyth's Mass in D: A 19th century mass by an extraordinary woman!
57:26 Mar 4, 2025
36
Olly Wilson, an American composer that will change how you hear music!
41:15 Feb 18, 2025
37
Carlos Simon's Songs of Separation: An American song cycle set to poetry of Rumi
47:06 Feb 4, 2025
38
Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy
44:38 Jan 21, 2025
39
Chris Gekker tells us everything about the trumpet!
1:01:40 Jan 7, 2025
40
Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!
1:32:43 Dec 24, 2024
41
Aaron Copland: The Sound of America
47:18 Dec 10, 2024
42
Dora Pejačević's Symphony in F# minor; Croatia's very first symphony!
45:05 Nov 26, 2024
43
The Life and Music of Gioachino Rossini: An overnight success, foodie, and opera sensation
46:06 Nov 12, 2024
44
Beethoven’s iconic Violin Concerto: what to listen for and why it was an initial flop!
42:41 Oct 29, 2024
45
The horn: Everything you need to know from Mozart, Mahler, to the movie screen!
1:01:58 Oct 15, 2024
46
The lives and music of Silvestre Revueltas and Gabriela Lena Frank
37:17 Oct 1, 2024
47
The Great Unfinished Works
39:56 Sep 17, 2024
48
Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 "Romantic"; a monumental masterpiece!
2:07:42 Sep 3, 2024
49
Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this summer!
22:38 Jun 25, 2024
50
What is a cello? Star cellist Amit Peled tells all!
1:01:19 Jun 11, 2024
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