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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165 episodes
Updated June 23

Episodes165

Newest first

Dec 9, 2025 · 45 min
Emilie Mayer; Rediscovering a celebrated 19th-century composer
She didn't have a typical upbringing like other composers, and forged her own way with private teachers and determination. John Banther and Evan Keely explore the wide range of repertoire she composed, from symphonies to songs, and look at events that changed the trajectory of her life and career.
Nov 25, 2025 · 38 min
Clara Wieck Schumann's Piano Concerto; a teenage work of genius
This, the only orchestral output from Clara Wieck, might be one of the few 19th-century concertos written by a teenager that still occupies the concert stage today, and its popularity is only increasing. Join hosts John Banther and Linda Carducci to explore its youthful origins, characteristics of her writing, the size of her hands, and her big concert premiere.
Nov 11, 2025 · 54 min
Adolphus Hailstork, an American composer writing for our time
Hailstork has been writing music and teaching for over 5 decades, and his work has documented in music major American moments, from the bicentennial, 9/11, George Floyd, and even infrastructure. John Banther and Evan Keely explore his life, studies with Boulanger, his military experience, and look at 3 works from orchestral to choral that demonstrate his style.
Oct 28, 2025 · 47 min
Death in music! 10 works that explore life’s final question
Death has been depicted in music to console, frighten, warn, and entertain for over 400 years. In fact, the most quoted motif about death is also the oldest, and you know it intimately whether you realize it or not! John Banther and Evan Keely take you on a deathly trip over 10 works and a bonus.
Oct 21, 2025 · 12 min
Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang
I'm excited to bring you more from Xuefei Yang with these three performances taken from her YouTube channel (where you will find plenty more performances!).
Oct 14, 2025 · 41 min
Xuefei Yang performs Erik Satie and shares insight into her new album!
She is one of today's great living guitarists, and in this episode, she tells us all about her new album Chapeu Satie. Xuefei explains how she approaches transcribing and arranging for the guitar, why she chose to include flute and voice, and performs a work from her new album at the end, too!
Sep 30, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica", Rejecting Napoleon and Charting a New Path!
Beethoven pushed the symphonic form in a new direction with this heroic work that sounds larger than the sum of its parts. John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how it pushed boundaries in 19th-century music, the famous Napoleon dedication, and more! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 16, 2025 · 1 hr 44 min
The Great World of Percussion with Chris DeChiara: From bones and war drums to symphonies!
Think you can play the triangle? Think again! In our biggest episode yet, we explore the big world of percussion with Chris DeChiara. Using composers from Beethoven to Ozzy Osborne, he demonstrates over a dozen instruments and shares insider secrets as to what goes on in the back row. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 9, 2025 · 16 min
Bonus episode! A performance of a suite from the ballet Daphnis and Chloe by Maurice Ravel
Who doesn't love more music? Starting this season, we'll be releasing occasional bonus episodes. We kick it off with a great performance of a suite from Ravel's ballet Daphnis and Chloe. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 2, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
Maurice Ravel at 150: celebrating his life, music, and influence!
This composer had way more impact on the 20th century than you realize! Join us as we celebrate his life at 150 and look at how he achieved this unique sound, why he was kicked out of school twice, and enjoy a performance of his string quartet. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 24, 2025 · 31 min
Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this summer!
It's the final episode of Season 6, and per tradition, it's an episode with recommended summer listening. Thank you very much for listening, rating, and sharing the podcast as it continues to grow year after year with your help! In this episode, there 4 albums to explore, taking us on a journey to ancient cities, flirtatious oboe playing, an emotional rollercoaster, and more! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 10, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Mahler's Symphony No. 5, a story of uncertainty and triumph
This work marks a departure from his previous symphonies, which were linked together by vocal music. But what is this? Is this Mahler working through his mortality and uncertainty, or something else? John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how Mahler achieves his unique sound, and what it could all mean. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Felix Mendelssohn: A prodigy, inventor, and visionary!
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! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 13, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Verdi's Rigoletto: Unforgettable tunes, tragedy, and a new concept in opera
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. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 29, 2025 · 59 min
John Williams: a defining American composer that goes beyond the silver screen
You knew this composer before you knew his name, and he has shaped the sound of movies and childhoods for generations. Join us to learn about aspects of his life you didn't know, like his early career and first film scores, influences, nonfilm work, and more! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 15, 2025 · 1 hr
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5: a symphony of bravery, intrigue, and survival
Few other works in the canon occupy a place like this symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich. John Banther and Evan Keely dive into history as they show you what to listen for, Shostakovich's perilous circumstances, and what clues he could have left for all of us in the music. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 10, 2025 · 1 min
An update on Florence Price!
I have a special update for you on Florence Price because of the hard work of a particular listener and a previous guest. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 1, 2025 · 37 min
The most difficult music for piano: Gaspard de la Nuit by Maurice Ravel
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. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 18, 2025 · 55 min
The Future is Female: Exploring Clarice Assad and the Boulanger Initiative with Laura Colgate
Discover contemporary works by living Brazillian composer Clarice Assad that cover chamber music, solo piano, and orchestra. Then Co-Founder Laura Colgate tells us everything we need to know about and how you can benefit from the Boulanger Initiative, which advocates for women and gender-marginalized composers. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 4, 2025 · 57 min
Ethel Smyth's Mass in D: A 19th century mass by an extraordinary woman!
Conductor Steven Fox joins John Banther to talk about this Mass that was overlooked after its premiere in 1893. Fox tells us everything we need to know about a mass, what to listen for, and how Ethel Smyth's mass stands apart. We also touch on her life as she was an aggressive suffragette, women's rights advocate, and openly bisexual composer in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Classical Breakdown

Emilie Mayer; Rediscovering a celebrated 19th-century composer

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

Adolphus Hailstork, an American composer writing for our time

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

Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Felix Mendelssohn: A prodigy, inventor, and visionary!

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

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

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

An update on Florence Price!

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

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

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