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Classically Training

American Public Media

Classical music can feel intimidating. The jargon, history, and virtuosity make the genre feel like an exclusive club. Curious listeners need a place to start. In this podcast from YourClassical MPR and American Public Media, follow your eager host on her own journey to classically train. In each episode she brings her burning questions to classical music experts to try and get some answers. Follow along for a season of curiosity, discovery, great teachers, and music.

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  • 6 episodes
  • Avg 15 min
  • English

Episodes 6

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  • S1 · E5
    June 29 · 20 min

    Classically Training: How do composers compose?

    All classical music started with a blank page. Before any piece is played or heard, someone has to create it. What does it take to organize all those notes into a final composition? In this episode, composers Shruthi Rajasekar, Janika Vandervelde, and Dan Nass take a seat at the Composers Roundtable to share how they turn their ideas into music. Related Items Episode 1: What is classical music? Episode 2: How did the notes on the piano get there? Episode 3: What does the arm waving mean? Episode 4: “Sonatas, concertos, and preludes, oh my!”

  • S1 · E4
    Sep 29, 2025 · 14 min

    Classically Training: “Sonatas, concertos, and preludes, oh my!”

    Reading the title of a classical piece of music can make you feel like you are already behind. Symphony, prelude, toccata, opus, all those numbers.... Is it important to know what they mean? Performance Today host Valerie Kahler will help decode this confusing taxonomy and give some tips for the next time you open a concert program. Related Items Episode 1: What is classical music? Episode 2: How did the notes on the piano get there? Episode 3: What does the arm waving mean?

  • S1 · E3
    Sep 22, 2025 · 17 min

    Classically Training: What does the arm waving mean?

    Conductors have an important job. They start the music, stop the music, set the tempo, and help shape the sound of a piece. And they do all of this with their arms! However, every conductor does the arm-waving part a little differently. So how do musicians know what to do? This week, our host sits down with conductor Hannah Schendel to help demystify the movement that creates our music. Related Items Episode 1: What is classical music? Episode 2: How did the notes on the piano get there?

  • S1 · E2
    Sep 15, 2025 · 15 min

    Classically Training: How did the notes on the piano get there?

    There are 88 keys on the piano, and each one plays a different note. But how did they choose those 88 notes and why did they stop there? Is that even something someone chooses? In this episode, Dr. Andy Fleser explains the history of one of the world’s most important instruments. Related Items Episode 1: What is classical music?

  • S1 · E1
    Sep 8, 2025 · 26 min

    Classically Training: What is classical music?

    What is classical music? Our curious host decides this is where her journey should begin but quickly learns that the answer may be harder to find. After consulting with folks on the street and an elementary music class, she decides to get some help from conductor Bill Eddins.

  • Sep 5, 2025 · 1 min

    Coming September 8: Classically Training

    Classical music can feel intimidating. The jargon, history, and virtuosity make the genre feel like an exclusive club. Classically Training is a new video podcast for folks who are curious about classical music and need a place to start. In this podcast from YourClassical MPR, follow your eager host, Aerin O'Malley, on her own journey to classically train. In each episode, Aerin brings her burning questions to classical music experts to try and get some answers. Follow along for a season of curiosity, discovery, great teachers, and music. The first episode drops Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Find all episodes here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Showing 1–6 of 6 episodes