Classical Breakdown

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

  • A close up of a ballerina's feet en pointe, wearing cream colored pointe shoes.

    Bonus episode: Ballet music from 2 operas by Verdi!

    January 13, 2026

    Different audiences have different tastes, and you can't always serve them the same dish. If Verdi wanted his grand operas to be staged in Paris, he needed to include ballet. In this bonus episode, we'll hear two ballet sections from two different operas, sometimes composed decades later.
  • Sibelius in a white three piece suite, holding a cigar in his left hand and laughing

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

    December 23, 2025

    This concerto is one of the most daunting in the repertoire, and almost every big soloist aims to lay down their interpretation. But what makes this work so difficult? Is it the written music or is it something else? John Banther and Evan Keely show you what to listen for, how Sibelius does things differently, a moment from a masterclass, and what went wrong in the premiere.
  • black and white drawing of Mayer, her hair is pulled back and adorned with a flower.

    Emilie Mayer; Rediscovering a celebrated 19th-century composer

    December 9, 2025

    She didn't have a typical upbringing like other composers, and forged her own way with private teachers and determination. John Banther and Evan Keely explore the wide range of repertoire she composed, from symphonies to songs, and look at events that changed the trajectory of her life and career.
  • Clara Schumann: A story of stardom, passion, and courage

    Clara Wieck Schumann's Piano Concerto; a teenage work of genius

    November 25, 2025

    This, the only orchestral output from Clara Wieck, might be one of the few 19th-century concertos written by a teenager that still occupies the concert stage today, and its popularity is only increasing. Join hosts John Banther and Linda Carducci to explore its youthful origins, characteristics of her writing, the size of her hands, and her big concert premiere.
  • Adolphus Hailstork headshot, he is smiling, wearing thin rimmed glasses, and in front of a blue background

    Adolphus Hailstork, an American composer writing for our time

    November 11, 2025

    Hailstork has been writing music and teaching for over 5 decades, and his work has documented in music major American moments, from the bicentennial, 9/11, George Floyd, and even infrastructure. John Banther and Evan Keely explore his life, studies with Boulanger, his military experience, and look at 3 works ranging from orchestral to choral that demonstrate his style.
  • A close up image of a skeleton (death) playing a violin and whispering in Arnold Boecklin's ear.

    Death in music! 10 works that explore life’s final question

    Episode 139 October 28, 2025

    Death has been depicted in music to console, frighten, warn, and entertain for over 400 years. In fact, the most quoted motif about death is also the oldest, and you know it intimately whether you realize it or not! John Banther and Evan Keely take you on a deathly trip over 10 works and a bonus.
  • Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang

    Bonus episode! 3 select performances of guitarist Xuefei Yang

    Episode 138 October 21, 2025

    I'm excited to bring you more from Xuefei Yang with these three performances taken from her YouTube channel (where you will find plenty more performances!). 

    In this episode, we hear:
    John Williams (guitarist/composer) - When The Birds Return
    Changjun Xu - Sword Dance
    Jerome Kern - Smoke gets in your eyes
  • Xuefei Yang performs Erik Satie and shares insight into her new album!

    Xuefei Yang performs Erik Satie and shares insight into her new album!

    Episode 138 October 14, 2025

    She is one of today's great living guitarists, and in this episode, she tells us all about her new album Chapeu Satie. Xuefei explains how she approaches transcribing and arranging for the guitar, why she chose to include flute and voice, and performs a work from her new album at the end, too!