Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

This week on Sticky Notes, we're taking a deep dive into Sibelius' 5th Symphony: "I drank of the cup of the spring beginning, full of air, haze, and mist. Today, I have melodies like GOD. At 10 to 11 this morning I saw 16 swans, one of the greatest experiences of my life. Their cries are like woodwinds, like cranes. A low refrain, resembling the cry of a small child, the mysticism of nature, and the agony of life." We'll discuss both the original and final versions of this 20th century masterpiece!

The Life and Music of George Gershwin (Re-broadcast)

This week we're looking at one of the masterpieces of the early Baroque period, Monteverdi's Vespers! We'll explore the history behind the piece, Monteverdi's life story, and the debates over what music should be that rocked the early 1600's. And then of course, we'll do a full analysis of the massive Vespers, from beginning to end! This episode was sponsored by Errol using Patreon. If you would like to have a piece of your choice explored on the show, please visit patreon.com/stickynotespodcast.  Than

This week, we explore one of the pillars of the cello repertoire, the melancholic and profoundly emotional Elgar Cello Concerto. We'll take a look at its unusual and symphonic structure, its balancing of modernism and conservatism, its incredible outpouring of emotion, and the association of the concerto with just one single voice, that of the great cellist Jacqueline Du Pre. We will also discuss the connection of the concerto to World War I which heavily influenced this brooding, deeply tragic work.  

This week, we're honoring the birthday of the legendary composer Richard Wagner by talking about why I don't like his music very much!  I welcome in the great conductor Rafael Payare(who loves Wagner) to discuss the issues with Wagner's music, from its length, scope and overwhelming visceral quality, to its troubling associations with anti-Semitism and Nationalism.  Whether you worship Wagner's music or can't stand it, this show is the one for you.  Perhaps one of us will even change your mind!   

This week, we take a look at one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century, and someone you've probably never heard of: Florence Price, the first African American woman to have a piece performed by a major symphonic orchestra.  We'll be discussing that piece, the Symphony in E Minor, and also a lot more, including Price's life story, the music of Dvorak, and the source material that inspired both of these composers.  This is one of my favorite episodes in the history of the show, so check it out!

This week, we explore Shostakovich's most cinematic and controversial symphony, based on the failed Russian Revolution of 1905.  Or so we think.  Its also possible that the piece is based on the failed Hungarian Revolution of 1956.  We'll explore all the theories behind that as well as the incredible music, based largely on Russian Revolutionary Songs, portraying the frozen silence of the Palace Square in St. Petersburg, the brutal massacre of the protestors, their grief, and then finally, their rage. 

The Four Seasons, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Tchaikovsky's 5th, Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto, West Side Story - all pieces that are guaranteed crowd pleasers. They solve budgetary problems, they fill the hall, and they make people happy. So why then do a lot of musicians, critics, and some other audience members dislike them so much? What makes them great pieces? Why do audiences like them? And why do critics and other audience members look down their noses at them? We'll explore all of that this wee

This week on Sticky Notes, we explore the 3rd and 4th movements of Beethoven's monumental 9th symphony! First, we'll talk about the heartfelt chorale and variations of the third movement. Then we'll go moment by moment through the well-loved but controversial last movement, both talking about the unusual structure of the movement and the music in the context of Beethoven's highly personal religious and political views. (31:15) What does the Ode to Joy mean today and what was Beethoven trying to tell us?

This week on Sticky Notes, we explore perhaps the most popular piece of Music ever written, Beethoven's monumental 9th Symphony.  In fact, its so monumental that for just the second time, I had to split this episode into 2 parts, with the first two movements this week, and the last two next week.  The first movement might be the greatest symphonic movement ever written, and the second movement isn't all that far behind. Let's explore one of the world's great works of art together! Thanks for listening!

On this week's Patreon-sponsored episode of Sticky Notes, we're exploring the amazing Sibelius Violin Concerto. To me, Sibelius' violin concerto is the greatest of all the violin concerti, but sometimes his music is considered enigmatic.  So this week, we'll explore whether Sibelius' music is Finnish or not, his innovations with structure and melody, compare recordings of wildly different interpretations of the piece, and try to unlock the key to the profoundly moving music of this 20th century master. 

Ever wanted to know the roots of all of the wonderful Western Classical Music we hear today? How musical notation developed? How rhythm developed? Well, today is the day you'll find out all about that, because this week on Sticky Notes, it's Medieval Music in 60 Minutes! We'll talk about Gregorian Chant, Polyphony, Troubadours, musical notation and much much more, while of course, listening to a lot of intoxicating music that takes us back to a different era.  Thanks for listening!  

In honor of April Fools' Day, we're taking a look at the music of the underrated jokester, Joseph Haydn! Haydn's music is sometimes thought of as just light entertainment, but it is truly some of the greatest music ever written. We'll talk this week about humor in music, how it works, and how Haydn synthesized humor, seriousness, and craft in his huge body of work.  Plus, lots of laughs this week as we take a round through some of Haydn's best musical jokes.  Thanks for listening and happy April Fools'

This week on Sticky Notes we take a deep dive into Stravinsky's breakthrough ballet, the Firebird!  We'll explore the original ballet, all three of the Suites from the ballet, and the fantastical myth behind the story of the ballet, featuring a character I like to call the Russian Voldemort and the Firebird herself.  This is one of the greatest pieces of the 20th century, so let's explore it together!  Thanks for listening!  

Eternal Silence: The Music of Arvo Part