Dive deep into some of the favorite pieces in Classical music!

From intimate music for solo piano to grand masterpieces for a symphony orchestra, discover your new favorite pieces, and the thrilling stories behind the music.

Listen to the episodes below and use the activity sheet to deepen your understanding.

Activity Sheet

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Let's Go to the Symphony!

As you listen to your chosen episode, take notes with the given questions in mind. When you are finished, write a review of the piece, as if you are a music critic for a newspaper!

Teachers/Parents:
The goal is for the student to listen to the episode critically, all the while thinking for themselves and considering what their personal takeaway is from learning about the piece. More than absorbing facts, the exercise encourages the student to relate to the piece in a personal way, forming their own opinions, and letting the music spark their creativity.
 

Episodes

  • Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy

    Lincoln Portrait: Aaron Copland's defense of Democracy

    Episode 123 January 21, 2025

    Music was used in World War 2 like never before, from propaganda to national pride. John Banther and Evan Keely explore Copland's musical effort to rally a defense for democracy using Abraham Lincoln's timeless words and examine why it was banned from a Presidential inauguration. 
  • Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!

    Your Guide to JS Bach's Cello Suites!

    Episode 121 December 24, 2024

    WETA resident cello player James Jacobs joins John Banther for a deep dive into the 6 iconic cello suites by JS Bach. With cello in hand, James demonstrates different aspects of the suites and shows us what to listen for, plus we enjoy a full recording performance of one of the suites at the end!
  • The Great Unfinished Works

    The Great Unfinished Works

    Episode 114 September 17, 2024

    From government intrigue, untimely death, or even distraction, there are many reasons why a composer might leave a work unfinished. John Banther and Linda Carducci dive into 5 unfinished works, how they are performed today, look at the surrounding circumstances, and discuss what we could have done to get these works completed in the first place!
  • Elgar's Enigma Variations, a portrait of friends, life, and love!

    Elgar's Enigma Variations, a portrait of friends, life, and love!

    Episode 110 May 28, 2024

    We enjoy a full performance of the Enigma Variations at the end of the episode, but first, we get into the people and places depicted in colorful detail in Elgar's masterpiece. John Banther and Evan Keely uncover hidden clues in the music, the types of people Elgar depicts, and what the Enigma could possibly be (but isn't).
  • Robert Schumann's Carnaval: A solo piano brings a masked ball to life!

    Robert Schumann's Carnaval: A solo piano brings a masked ball to life!

    Episode 109 May 14, 2024

    Real and fictional characters come to life in this incredibly challenging work for piano that also includes musical puzzles. John Banther and Linda Carducci explore all the characters and how Schumann depicts them in music, the ciphers, discarded movements, and more. plus we enjoy a full performance of it by Sergei Rachmaninoff!

Support for arts and education programming on WETA comes from the Estate of Toni A. Ritzenberg.