Classical Breakdown, your guide to classical music, returns for Season 7 on September 2 with an episode celebrating one of the most iconic French composers, Maurice Ravel. We toast this composer at 150 with an exploration of his life, music, influences, legacy, and so much more. For instance, did you know he was expelled from the Paris Conservatoire not just once, but twice? (You’ll have to listen on September 2 to find out why!) Plus, we enjoy a full performance of one of his iconic works too.
Also in September, we present an episode on the life of a percussionist featuring a local talent. Maybe you think playing the cymbals or triangle is easy, but you couldn’t be more wrong! We dive into all the different instruments a percussionist must play and how they manage it all from the back row of the orchestra.
The final episode in September will dissect Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica.” It’s a work that finds itself at the crossroads of a new era in music; represents the composer’s rejection of a man who proclaimed himself emperor; and finds Beethoven grappling with his own increasing deafness.
Listen to Classical Breakdown in your podcast app or at ClassicalBreakdown.org. Episodes are released every two weeks. To celebrate the arrival of Classical Breakdown’s Season 7, here below are 7 episodes (in no particular order) that I recommend you to listen to in case you missed them — or if it’s your first time hearing Classical Breakdown!
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