John and the various co-hosts do a great job introducing and presenting music in a way that is completely accessible to newcomers while still providing analytical nuance, nuggets of information, and introductions to less well-known composers and works that keep even life-long fans of classical music like me engaged and entertained. (Thanks Mom, for all of those old Readers Digest LP classical collections). A perfect balance of entertainment and education with the music of the centuries serving as the soundtrack!

Hello, I’m a professional classical musician and this is my favorite podcast on the subject. Keep up the great work! Your show is both educational and entertaining and very well produced. Thank you!

I would give this a full five stars if the background music (which changes frequently and I personally find overly distracting from the otherwise beautiful depth and flow of these guys’ conversations) could be limited to JUST musical examples relevant to whatever person/composition they are actively discussing

I love classical music and can not understand most of my friends who just don’t get it! The presentation of the music makes it more accessible as an introduction and provides a deeper dive for those of us with more experience. As a retired music educator, I appreciate this effort!

I like show, but needs obscure composers and also some music that tell stories. Anywho, good show. - sugar cat guy 89

Very good summary of the composer’s life! I enjoyed the show and would like to hear an analysis of the symphonies, especially the second.

I teach 6-12 general and choral music, so I am always looking for relevant content. The hosts are knowledgeable and engaging!

After listening to Apple Music Classical’s “The Story of Classical,” I wanted to find a podcast that breaks down and comments on classical music. I found this show and love it. As someone who played bass trombone in high school, I appreciate John’s insights from being a tuba player. I especially liked the Pini di Roma episode. It’s been one of my favorite pieces since seeing it in Fantasia 2000 as a kid (I had no idea Disney cut the second movement!) and later in high school when I saw the Fountain City Brass Band play the last movement. But, I had no idea what connection it had to actual pine trees of Rome, so it was great to learn about the back story and hear the kids’ song!

I enjoyed hearing your podcast on Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2. I like to give a Shot out to a friend of mine in the Winchester area who also loves listen to you guys name Jason, he loves to listen in his car. He especially love Linda Carducci. I also like sometime in the future I love to be a guest on your podcast, I’m a Expert in classical music and I what to talk with you about the classical music history I know, I know a lot f fact, I’m looking forward to see everyone. From Andrew

While a teenager, as with so many of my generation, I suspect, my introduction to all genres of classical music was by means of Kubrick’s Space Odyssey—a unique contribution to film culture. Regardless of my later interests I have always loved this music. Similarly, this podcast is unique in that it explores and explains “classical” music’s DNA; it’s a history lesson, a sampling for the curious, and a form of meditation. Thanks to all concerned.

Thank you for putting these wonderful podcasts together. You are making a difference in our lives. I am a music teacher with several adult students and we enjoy listening to your podcasts and then we come together to share our impressions and opinions. Our summer plan will be to focus on “Women in Music “ thank you for featuring so many episodes about the lives of women composers. I hope this program will continue long into the future.

I’m a long-term listener to WETA and an armature musician in the DC area. The episode on the bassoon caught my attention (my instrument), and that was the first episode I listened to. I’ve since listened to them all and look forward to each new release. I’ve played many of the pieces you’ve discussed, and it is fun to learn more about the music and the composer who wrote it. This podcast is unlike any other that I am aware of. So interesting and informative. Keep it coming!

Love it!

I had never heard of this till today. I enjoyed learning about the piece, why she may have written it the way she did. I will find this work of hers and listen to it. Thank you John for always opening my eyes to new thoughts and music.

This is a fun version of classical “light,” unpretentious and informative, and a nice way to get access to music, composers, and musician of which I would never otherwise be aware.

You had me on the first episode I heard: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Your insights and explanations have blown my mind. I loved it before, but I’ll never hear it the same way again!

I love it. I play flute and saxophone and it was incredible to listen to your flute episode—I learned so much and it allowed me a new perspective. I really, really appreciate the excerpts of the pieces you guys are talking about when you’re talking, it helps tremendously. Maybe you could do a saxophone episode? I know it’s not a traditional classical instrument—which is why I think it would make an informative and hopefully humorous episode. Your station is my go to for after band practices driving home, and it always calms me down especially when my anxiety is high. Having the news sprinkled in there from NPR is amazing too. Thank you, and I hope this review helps your popularity and status.

I am an amateur musician and have listened to classical music since I was a child. I love this podcast!!The topics are interesting and the guests are superb. I always come away with a new idea or perspective but I love that I can recommend the podcast because they don’t get too technical. Shoutout to Linda Carducci—I wish she were on every week. Bravo Classical Breakdown!

I have learned so much from this podcast, far more than merely classical music appreciation. I am absorbing music theory from real examples, composition concepts, vocabulary, sound design, history, and the musical developments that inform all the modern music I hear and love today.

Sure glad thanksgiving weekend I stumbled into your podcast. Bravo. Five stars and if I could give ten I would.

Thanks so much for making me understand better why I like what I like! Your explanations are wonderful, particularly for those of us with no formal music theory training, and your true love of music infuses every episode.

As a classical music fan and piano gang, happy to discover this podcast , a new resource that MAKE NY DAY after listening to the”the great composer “ million times.

As a classical music neophyte, this podcast is a gift. My appreciation for music has deepened greatly since subscribing.

Excellent way to learn and understand the meaning of the music and biographies . Great job!

I am looking forward to the fall season! This Podcasts is one of my very favorites and I always learn so much. Hope it never run out of music to talk about.

I really like it

I recently started learning the violin, which has given me the urge to pay more attention to classical pieces. I love the different topics covered in this podcast, from analyses of specific pieces of music, to the views of those who currently play.