Classical Breakdown

Music Podcasts

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.

Episodes

Season 7 Recommended Summer Listening!

Tosca! Puccini's tragic opera on love, lust, and brutality

The Montgomery Variations: A Piece of American History by Margaret Bonds

Haydn's Trumpet Concerto: Revolutionary in ways you didn't know!

Leos Janacek: an original composer who found success late

Bonus! John and James discuss Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and gigs

Also Sprach Zarathustra: Where Music and Philosophy Reach New Heights

Bonus! 2 Opera preludes by Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner: The flawed man who changed opera

Bonus! 3 Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tampered Clavier Book 1 by Sam Post

The Well-TAMPERED Clavier: A rhythmic reimagining of JS Bach by Sam Post

Brahms Symphony No. 3: Perfection in Orchestration and Form

3 Composers lost to Tyranny

Meet Grammy-Winning Composer Jessie Montgomery!

A performance of Carnival of the Animals featuring Argerich and Freire!

Carnival of the Animals, a work of genius kept hidden (plus animal facts!)

Bonus episode: Ballet music from 2 operas by Verdi!

Giuseppe Verdi: A life of drama, censorship, and even farming!

Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto, one of the most challenging works for violin!

A performance of Emilie Mayer's Cello Sonata in D minor featuring Grace Mockus