Podcast Episodes

Shostakovich Symphony No. 8

Season 10 Episode 246

Here are two statements by Dmitri Shostakovich about the same piece, the 8th symphony that we are talking about today:

Statement No. 1, Shostakovich’s published comments about the symphony when it wa…

Published on 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Literary Works in Classical Music

Season 10 Episode 245

My Patreon sponsor for this episode, Adrian, set me a challenge: The influence of literary works on classical compositions, exploring pieces inspired by poetry, novels, or plays. He also asked me to …

Published on 9 months, 1 week ago

Brahms Clarinet Quintet

Season 10 Episode 244

The muses were Ancient Greek goddesses of inspiration. Throughout history, the term muse has been used to describe any number of people, all of whom inspired works of great art and/or literature. In …

Published on 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Politics in Classical Music

Season 10 Episode 243

Classical music and politics have never been easy bedfellows. Composers and performers throughout history have relied on patronage and support from wealthy sources in order to keep their dreams afloa…

Published on 10 months, 1 week ago

Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from Westside Story

Season 10 Episode 246

The original production of Westside Story ran for 732 performances, spawned a movie that won 11 Academy Awards, and is still a go to on every list of the greatest Broadway Musicals ever written.  The…

Published on 10 months, 2 weeks ago

A Conversation with Composer Caroline Shaw

Season 10 Episode 245

Caroline Shaw is one of the most fascinating, innovative, and brilliant composers of our time. Since winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2013, she rocketed onto the scene and has stayed there ever since, w…

Published on 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Ives Three Places in New England

Season 10 Episode 244

In 1929, the conductor Nicolas Slonimsky contacted the American composer Charles Ives about performing one of his works. This was a bit of a surprise for Ives, since he had a checkered reputation amo…

Published on 10 months, 3 weeks ago

William Grant Still Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American"

Season 10 Episode 243

Fundraiser link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1026719635067?aff=oddtdtcreator

On October 29th, 1931, The Rochester Philharmonic in New York State presented the world premiere of a new symphony b…

Published on 11 months ago

Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue

Season 10 Episode 242

"It was on the train, with its steely rhythms, its rattle-ty bang, that is so often so stimulating to a composer – I frequently hear music in the very heart of the noise.... And there I suddenly hear…

Published on 11 months, 1 week ago

Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2

Season 10 Episode 241

During Bartok’s life, the violin concerto we now know as Violin Concerto No. 2 was simply known as Bartok’s only violin concerto. The reason? His first concerto, written when he was a much younger ma…

Published on 11 months, 3 weeks ago