Best Bassoon Podcasts (2025)

1
Ravel, Ravel, Ravel, w/Boris Giltburg and G. Henle Verlag! 59:12

10m ago59:12

59:12

Magician, Swiss Watchmaker, Aloof, Elegant, Precise, Soulful, Childlike, Naive, Warm: these are all words that have been used to describe Maurice Ravel, a man of elegant contradictions. But perhaps these contradictions are why his music remains so beloved and universally appealing to so many musicians and audience members. Ravel has long been one o…

1
Amy Beach, "Gaelic" Symphony 1:00:56

15h ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Amy Beach is a name that might not be familiar to you. She was born in 1867 and died in 1944, and her life was one of the most fascinating and varied in musical history. She was a child prodigy, became a successful pianist, and then pivoted to composing at her husband’s request. She was one of the first successful composers without any training fro…

1
Celebrating Musicians with Disabilities 1:01:37

3d ago1:01:37

1:01:37

18-year-old violinist and From the Top alum Julia LaGrand co-hosts this special episode dedicated to celebrating the stories and performances of disabled and neurodivergent musicians. Julia, who is blind, also interviews special guest Itzhak Perlman. We meet a 16-year-old double bassist who began studying music when spina bifida made it difficult t…

1
Sticky Notes en Français! Shostakovich Symphonie No. 13 (Bonus Episode) 1:10:18

7d ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Voici un épisode bonus spécial de Sticky Notes en français, en avant-première de mes concerts avec l'Orchestre National de Lille, présentant la 13e symphonie de Shostakovich. Si vous souhaitez écouter la version anglaise de cet épisode, elle est disponible dans les archives. Je m'excuse pour toute mauvaise prononciation en cours de route, et j'espè…

1
Magnitude, French Love Song, & Shostakovich 35:10

10d ago35:10

35:10

We meet a 16-year-old composer from Chicago who is mentored by composer Jessie Montgomery and is also passionate about architecture. We hear a soprano perform a love song by Debussy. Finally, we meet a teen cellist who performs Shostakovich's dynamic Cello Sonata in D Minor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR…

1
Major and Minor 37:44

17d ago37:44

37:44

We explore repertoire from major and minor keys, highlighting how young artists express the character and nuance that each represent. We hear a teen cellist perform a bright and sunny work with ties to both the Baroque and Romantic eras, a young violinist brings a dark and stormy Beethoven Sonata, and a 17-year-old pianist performs a major fugue fr…

1
Joy, Classical Guitar, and Beethoven Cello Sonata 45:45

24d ago45:45

45:45

A teen guitarist brings a percussive work by Roland Dyens, an 18-year-old cellist performs a Beethoven Cello Sonata, and a teen soprano sings a work entitled "Joy". We also hear a flashback performance from a French Horn player who was featured on the show back in 2012. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Priv…

1
Smetana: Ma Vlast 1:05:54

28d ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Nationalism, patriotism, cultural identity, a sense of home; these are concepts and ideas whose popularity have ebbed and flowed throughout history. Nationalism has been seen as a natural expression of cultural identity and pride, and it also has been at the core of virulent racism and xenophobia. Patriotism has been used as a cudgel by all sides o…

1
Joyful Island 25:53

1M ago25:53

25:53

Today's show is particularly joyful! A teen pianist plays Debussy's L'isle Joyeuse (Joyful Island) and a violinist performs Suk's Song of Love and speaks to the importance of connecting emotionally with the music. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

1
Romantic Double Bass and Ocean Adventure 32:53

1M ago32:53

32:53

We're back in Kansas City with a 17-year-old double bassist who gives a heartfelt performance of Bottesini's Elegy No. 1. We meet a teen composer and learn about her journey in writing music, including creating an imaginative ocean adventure for the famous Kronos Quartet which you'll hear! Finally, we enjoy a flashback performance by prize-winning …

1
Berg Violin Concerto 48:49

1M ago48:49

48:49

In the early 1930s, at the height of the atonal and twelve tone movement in music, the American violinist Louis Krasner commissioned a concerto from the Viennese Composer Alban Berg. Berg declined at first, saying that his idiom was not appropriate to a concerto and that he did not belong in the world of Wienawski and Vieuxtemps, two relatively obs…

1
Rachmaninoff, French Horn, and The Great Train Race 43:42

2M ago43:42

43:42

From Kansas City, we explore the connection between music and math with a 16-year-old pianist who also happens to be a champion swimmer. We hear a majestic performance of Dukas by a teen French horn player. A young flutist performs Ian Clarke's The Great Train Race and describes the technical and artistic challenges of emulating the sounds of a tra…

1
Chopin Cello Sonata & Vivaldi Bassoon 33:44

2M ago33:44

33:44

Our 25th birthday celebration continues with a dazzling performance of Chopin by a gifted 16-year-old cellist. We are treated to a performance of Vivaldi by a young bassoonist and witness a life-changing surprise. Peter sends us off with a flashback performance from when the legendary Paquito D'Rivera appeared on the show. Learn more about sponsor …

1
Beethoven String Quartet, Op. 135 57:42

2M ago57:42

57:42

There is nothing like hearing a Late Beethoven String Quartet for the first time. Beethoven’s late string quartets, Op. 127, Op. 130, Op. 131, Op. 132, and Op. 135, are among the 5 greatest pieces of music ever written for any combination of instruments. They reach a kind of cosmic understanding of the world that is unparalleled, and they remain th…

1
Gershwin, Fiddle, & the United States Air Force Band's Heritage Winds 47:05

2M ago47:05

47:05

It's From the Top's 25th birthday! We meet a 13-year-old violinist who is equally accomplished in classical repertoire and fiddling. A 16-year-old pianist from New York performs a brilliant Beethoven Sonata and talks about her incredible experience in publishing. Finally, we reconnect with From the Top alum Yuna Langehennig and learn about her jour…

1
Brahms, Wieniawski, and a Young Pianist 59:18

2M ago59:18

59:18

We hear the first work Brahms wrote for a solo instrument and a stunning Wieniawski Polonaise played by a 13-year-old violinist. We also meet a teenage baritone who has been drawn to community activism since childhood, a guitarist who plays an arrangement of Dizzy Gillespie's Night in Tunisia, and a young pianist who shares a special tip she got fr…

1
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique LIVE w/ The Aalborg Symphony 1:12:20

2M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

I'm so happy to share this live episode of Sticky Notes that I did with the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra in Denmark back in October! This episode covered Berlioz's remarkable Symphonie Fantastique - the ultimate symphonic thrill ride. Join the orchestra and I as we talk our way through this symphony, from it's opium fueled back story, to its innovati…

1
Beethoven, Rocket Science, & Coltrane 1:00:57

2M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

A pianist speaks of his passion for rocket science and his work with NASA, a talented teen violinist plays Beethoven and shares how an accident transformed his musicianship, a young composer shares a piece inspired by the loss of a loved one, and a versatile saxophonist plays Coltrane. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/ad…

1
More Staff Favorites 33:05

3M ago33:05

33:05

Meet members of our team and hear some fantastic performances that they have hand selected for you, including a flashback to someone special in host Peter Dugan's life! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Shostakovich Symphony No. 8 1:08:33

3M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

Here are two statements by Dmitri Shostakovich about the same piece, the 8th symphony that we are talking about today: Statement No. 1, Shostakovich’s published comments about the symphony when it was first performed in 1943: The 8th Symphony reflects my…elevated creative mood, influenced by the joyful news of the Red Army's victories…. "The Eighth…

1
Staff Picks Highlight Show 26:13

3M ago26:13

26:13

This week we hear some of our team's favorite moments from the program!! You'll hear a thrilling teenage trio perform Beethoven, meet a young cellist with a moving story about the power of music, and enjoy a gorgeous performance of Bach by a social media-savvy teen oboist and violinist Tessa Lark and Peter Dugan. Learn more about sponsor message ch…

1
Schumann, Haydn, and a Joyful Gospel Choir 1:09:58

3M ago1:09:58

1:09:58

Violinist Charles Yang returns as co-host. We meet a bubbly teen violinist, a pianist with a mission to connect with audiences, and a cellist who opens up about mental health. The Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir sing us out with a performance that will have you on your feet and smiling! Learn more about sponsor message choic…

1
Literary Works in Classical Music 46:31

3M ago46:31

46:31

My Patreon sponsor for this episode, Adrian, set me a challenge: The influence of literary works on classical compositions, exploring pieces inspired by poetry, novels, or plays. He also asked me to do something else, and I’m going to quote him here: Also, if I may add something regarding the episode: It is of course possible to make an episode abo…

1
Thanksgiving Feast with Orli Shaham 35:40

3M ago35:40

35:40

We're celebrating a musical Thanksgiving with guest host Orli Shaham. Get ready to gobble up some wonderful performances of Tchaikovsky and Chopin by some remarkable teens. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Giving Thanks with Orli Shaham 24:58

4M ago24:58

24:58

Today, we're recognizing the gift of music to inspire and bring people together with guest host Orli Shaham. Settle in for some fantastic performances of Beethoven, Debussy, and more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

1
Brahms Clarinet Quintet 51:11

4M ago51:11

51:11

The muses were Ancient Greek goddesses of inspiration. Throughout history, the term muse has been used to describe any number of people, all of whom inspired works of great art and/or literature. In the popular imagination, muses are almost always women, inspiring brilliant men to their greatest artistic achievements. Why am I bringing this up? Bec…

1
Ravel Quartet & Sibling Dynamics 59:16

4M ago59:16

59:16

Guest Host Orli Shaham finds common ground with a pair of siblings who remind her of growing up with her brother Gil. A lively quartet from Chicago play Ravel. A teen soprano speaks about representation in classical music and connecting with a composer who shares her heritage. A talented young pianist talks about having pianist parents. Learn more …

1
Wieniawski, Stage Fright, and Schumann 26:32

4M ago26:32

26:32

A teen clarinetist who found a home-away-from-home surrounded by music and art at the Interlochen Arts Academy performs Schumann's Three Romances. We also meet a 15-year-old violinist who found a way to transform her performance anxiety into an act of generosity. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Pol…

1
Politics in Classical Music 57:21

4M ago57:21

57:21

Classical music and politics have never been easy bedfellows. Composers and performers throughout history have relied on patronage and support from wealthy sources in order to keep their dreams afloat, and so unlike many other forms of music, classical music often has the reputation of being a politics-free zone. But the truth is that there is a wh…

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