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

Feb 18, 2025 · 41 min
Olly Wilson, an American composer that will change how you hear music!
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! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 4, 2025 · 47 min
Carlos Simon's Songs of Separation: An American song cycle set to poetry of Rumi
Explore the different emotional aspects of loss, grief, and separation in this orchestral song cycle by Kenedy Center composer-in-residence Carlos Simon. John Banther and Evan Keely explore the text by Rumi, how Simon pairs this directly in the music, and moments to listen for! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 21, 2025 · 44 min
Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy
Music was used in World War 2 like never before, from propaganda to national pride. John Banther and Evan Keely explore Copland's musical effort to rally a defense for democracy using Abraham Lincoln's timeless words and examine why it was banned from a Presidential inauguration. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 7, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Chris Gekker tells us everything about the trumpet!
We take a glimpse into the massive world and history of the trumpet! From its use in military battles and physical dangers to beautifully soft moments on the stage, world-renowned trumpeter and teacher Chris Gekker joins John Banther for a wide-ranging discussion on the trumpet, and he plays examples for us too! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 24, 2024 · 1 hr 32 min
Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!
WETA resident cello player James Jacobs joins John Banther for a deep dive into the 6 iconic cello suites by JS Bach. With cello in hand, James demonstrates different aspects of the suites and shows us what to listen for, plus we enjoy a full recording performance of one of the suites at the end! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 10, 2024 · 47 min
Aaron Copland: The Sound of America
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. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 26, 2024 · 45 min
Dora Pejačević's Symphony in F# minor; Croatia's very first symphony!
We get a rare opportunity to look at a country's first symphony, and it wasn't written until 1917! John and Evan explore Pejačević's symphony and show you what to listen for, what sets her symphony apart from others of the time, and how WWI directly affected her and this very work. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 12, 2024 · 46 min
The Life and Music of Gioachino Rossini: An overnight success, foodie, and opera sensation
Few composers were an overnight sensation like Gioachino Rossini! We have 3 musical characteristics of his to show you as we explore his life, travels, his love of food, and why he might have quit at the height of his fame at age 37. Plus, stay with us to the end for the Rossini cocktail! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 29, 2024 · 42 min
Beethoven’s iconic Violin Concerto: what to listen for and why it was an initial flop!
Why was the premiere a failure, and how did it get back into the repertoire? John Banther and Evan Keely uncover unique characteristics in this concerto, what to listen for, and its beguiling opening! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 15, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
The horn: Everything you need to know from Mozart, Mahler, to the movie screen!
One of the oldest instruments and one of the most beloved has to be the horn! Chandra Cervantes, one of the most in-demand horn players in the DC area, tells all about its development and use in music, plus, she plays for us some iconic music on the horn. You can find videos and recordings of her playing on the show notes page at classicalbreakdown.org. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 1, 2024 · 37 min
The lives and music of Silvestre Revueltas and Gabriela Lena Frank
We explore two influential composers in this episode that you need to know; Silvestre Revueltas and Gabriela Lena Frank. John Banther and Evan Keely highlight works from both composers, aspects of their lives, and what to listen for in their music! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 17, 2024 · 39 min
The Great Unfinished Works
From government intrigue, untimely death, or even distraction, there are many reasons why a composer might leave a work unfinished. John Banther and Linda Carducci dive into 5 unfinished works, how they are performed today, look at the surrounding circumstances, and discuss what we could have done to get these works completed in the first place! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 3, 2024 · 2 hr 7 min
Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 "Romantic"; a monumental masterpiece!
We hear a full performance of this iconic symphony at the end of the episode. John and Evan break down everything you need to know, the "Bruckner problem," and show you what to listen for! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25, 2024 · 22 min
Recommended listening; 4 new albums to listen to this summer!
Can you believe it that summer is already here? This is the final episode of Season 5 and I have 4 recently released albums you need to listen to wherever the summer takes you! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
Elgar's Enigma Variations, a portrait of friends, life, and love!
We enjoy a full performance of the Enigma Variations at the end of the episode, but first, we get into the people and places depicted in colorful detail in Elgar's masterpiece. John Banther and Evan Keely uncover hidden clues in the music, the types of people Elgar depicts, and what the Enigma could possibly be (but isn't). Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
Robert Schumann's Carnaval: A solo piano brings a masked ball to life!
Real and fictional characters come to life in this incredibly challenging work for piano that also includes musical puzzles. John Banther and Linda Carducci explore all the characters and how Schumann depicts them in music, the ciphers, discarded movements, and more. plus we enjoy a full performance of it by Sergei Rachmaninoff! Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 30, 2024 · 46 min
The Life of Nadia Boulanger: A Lasting Impact from Bernstein to Sesame Street
She might have been the most influential person in music of the 20th century, and few would argue with you. John Banther and Evan Keely explore her life, music, and incalculable influence, but also some of the criticism her legacy has faced in the 45 years since her passing. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 16, 2024 · 28 min
Haydn's masterpiece for 4 soloists and orchestra, the Sinfonia Concertante
We've come to know the concerto as a work showcasing a single soloist with (or sometimes against) an orchestra, but what if a work has not 1... but 4 soloists at the same time? And what if it is also bringing in ideas from the symphony? John Banther and Evan Keely take a look at one of the defining works in the genre, show you what to listen for, and discuss why Haydn might have written it in the first place Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 2, 2024 · 51 min
The Evolution of the Piano: A Thousand Year Journey!
It's one of the most common musical instruments, but where did it come from and how did we get here? John Banther and Linda Carducci go on a journey through time to trace the evolution of the piano and its various forms. Plus, why is it so fun to see pianos fall from high places?? Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 19, 2024 · 29 min
Joan Tower's Concerto for Orchestra, an adventure in color, illusion, and rhythm!
There aren't that many examples of a "concerto" for orchestra, and in Joan Tower's, it's an electrifying world of rhythm, motion, and even deception! John Banther and Evan Keely explore this concerto by one of the most successful and recorded American composers. Support Classical Breakdown: https://weta.org/donatefm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Classical Breakdown

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

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

Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy

Chris Gekker tells us everything about the trumpet!

Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!

Aaron Copland: The Sound of America

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

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

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

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

The lives and music of Silvestre Revueltas and Gabriela Lena Frank

The Great Unfinished Works

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Evolution of the Piano: A Thousand Year Journey!

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