Let's Go to the Symphony!

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

  • Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

    Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

    Episode 31 December 1, 2020

    Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was revolutionary, but if all you know is the "Ode to Joy" you are missing out! From it's opening notes to the final crescendo, join Bill Bukowski and John Banther for a musical deep dive into Beethoven's final symphony.
  • Rimsky-Korsakov's enchanting Scheherazade

    Rimsky-Korsakov's enchanting Scheherazade

    Episode 26 September 22, 2020

    Discover the musical details and backstory of a work that's captivated listeners for over a century. John Banther and Linda Carducci discuss its origins and use their imagination to fill in the musical gaps.
  • Haydn's lost cello concerto and its rediscovery

    Haydn's lost cello concerto and its rediscovery

    Episode 22 June 2, 2020

    Haydn's 1st cello concerto was lost for 200 years and is now considered one of the greatest cello concertos of the 18th century. Dr. Greenwald tells us how music can go missing, we examine musical examples that set this concerto apart, and we enjoy a full performance!
  • Debussy's La Mer - Part 3

    Debussy's La Mer - Part 3

    Episode 20 May 5, 2020

    Debussy's La Mer is as imaginative and playful as it was in 1905, and while the original audience wasn't as receptive, it's become an orchestra staple over the last century. The final movement is called "Dialogue du vent et de la mer" (Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea) and features a theme originating in the oboe. We'll hear from Nicholas Stovall, Principal Oboe of the National Symphony Orchestra, on what this passage means to him and why he had to play it during Principal Flute auditions.
  • Debussy's La Mer - Part 2

    Debussy's La Mer - Part 2

    Episode 19 April 21, 2020

    The trumpet shines through in Jeux de Vagues, (Play of the Waves), the second movement of Debussy's La mer. This is part 2 of our 3 part series on Debussy's enchanting orchestral work, La Mer.
  • Debussy's La Mer - Part 1

    Debussy's La Mer - Part 1

    Episode 18 April 7, 2020

    An orchestral staple today, this work about "the sea" wasn't well received at it's premiere. Audiences may have expected a Strauss-esque symphonic poem to bring the sea to life, but Debussy was more interested in the abstract. This is part 1 of our 3 part series on Debussy's enchanting orchestral work, La Mer.
  • Haydn's final London Symphony

    Haydn's final London Symphony

    Episode 15 February 25, 2020

    Let's go on a musical deep dive of Haydn's final symphony. With musical examples we can breakdown Sonata Form, hear influences of other composers, and folk song!
  • The Planets by Holst

    The Planets by Holst

    Episode 12 January 14, 2020

    Discover music by Holst that was inspired by the gods our planets are named after in our solar system. This seven-movement orchestral suite includes the terrifying sounds of war, the comfort of peace, jollity, and so much more.

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