PODCAST · music
The Great Composers
by Colorado Public Radio
The Great Composers dives deep into the lives behind some of the greatest music ever written. It's a look a the world through the eyes of these gifted musical artists. Learn about obstacles they overcame, and their loves, losses, successes and failures. You'll feel you know Mozart, Rachmaninov and others as friends.
Episodes
-
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 8: A Stunning Finale
When the urge to compose finally struck again, Rachmaninoff took a little theme by Nicolo Paganini and turned it into a tour de force for the piano and orchestra, called Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. In this final episode of the Great Composers series on Rachmaninoff, we also explore...
-
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 7: The Making Of A Sacred Masterwork
After four long years living outside of Russia due to political instability, Rachmaninoff was finally able to bring his family home. He returned with a determination to write a Russian sacred piece that would be a lasting contribution to the orthodox repertoire. The composer ultimately found...
-
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 6: Triumph And Revolution
Clickety clack. That’s all Sergei Rachmaninoff heard as he practiced his new Piano Concerto No. 3 in advance of his big American tour, during which he would debut the piece. That’s because he finished the piece just before departing for the U.S. and didn't leave himself time to practice. He had…
more -
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 5: The Reluctant Hit Maker
Sergei Rachmaninoff just wasn't hungry -- literally and figuratively. So, after the success of his Piano Concerto No. 2, he took the less obvious route for a composer and dedicated himself to conducting and teaching. He just wasn't craving that next big hit. It was rising political unrest that...
-
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 4: It Takes A Village
Sergei Rachmaninoff finds himself in a funk. It’s been three years since the disastrous premiere of his Symphony No. 1 and the composer has barely written a note since then. His confidence is crushed. Self-doubt has crippled him. And it looks like his muse has left him. Enter the family...
-
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 3: A Bullseye On His Back
Crouched low. Hiding in a fire escape backstage with his fingers plugging his ears. This is how Sergei Rachmaninoff experienced the premiere of his Symphony No. 1. What should have been a triumphant night for Rachmaninoff turned into a nightmare which only worsened once the review appeared in the...
-
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 2: Tchaikovsky And Rachmaninoff
We all need a little help from friends, and one of Sergei Rachmaninoff's most supportive friends was none other than the great Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky cheered for Rachmaninoff from his box seat at concerts and paired their works together in concert. But just as…
more -
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Chapter 1: A Prelude To A Life Filled With Sorrow And Beauty
Why do we love Rachmaninoff's music so much? Is it the romantic themes? The dark, brooding undercurrents? Whatever it is, it's hooked listeners for more than a century. Our new miniseries on The Great Composers opens with a look at Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor.
-
Leonard Bernstein: 100 Years Of A Great American Composer
An intimate look at the life and legacy of a singular musical figure, featuring insights from conductor Marin Alsop. Bernstein was born Aug. 25, 1918, and classical music lovers across the world are marking the 100th anniversary of his birth this year. It's a chance to rediscover his most…
more -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Chapter 5: The People’s Composer
Mozart's "The Magic Flute" marries high art with catchy tunes, and makes us wonder what the composer would have written if he had lived longer. It's the final of five episodes on Mozart, kicking off our new podcast The Great Composers. The series, hosted by Karla Walker and Scott O'Neil, offers…
more -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Chapter 4: The Musical Innovator
Mozart's popularity as a piano soloist begins to wane, so he adapts. In this fourth installment of The Great Composers, Mozart happily turns his focus to his first, true love: opera. Mozart writes “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni.” He also writes his three great, final symphonies in one...
-
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Chapter 3: Breaking Free
After years of frustration, Mozart enjoys great success on the operatic stage and a meteoric rise in the Viennese artistic scene. He essentially reinvents the keyboard concerto in the process. He also breaks free from his Salzburg employer and his family -- and he marries Constanze Weber. It's…
more -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Chapter 2: Destined For Greatness
Mozart blossoms as an artist but struggles to fulfill the full measure of his potential. He’s already composed numerous symphonies and concertos. And his mother tirelessly supports his career, even as their travels around Europe cause her health to deteriorate. It's the second of five episodes on...
-
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Chapter 1: The Young Genius
A child is born in Salzburg with indescribable, incomprehensible talent for music and composition. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart travels the world and rubs shoulders with the greatest composers in Europe, all by the age of 12. It's the first of five episodes on Mozart, kicking off our new podcast The...
-
Preview: ‘The Great Composers’ Podcast Offers An Intimate Look At Musical Masters
It’s an intimate look at the people who wrote some of the greatest music ever. Subscribe and hear a preview.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Great Composers dives deep into the lives behind some of the greatest music ever written. It's a look a the world through the eyes of these gifted musical artists. Learn about obstacles they overcame, and their loves, losses, successes and failures. You'll feel you know Mozart, Rachmaninov and others as friends.
HOSTED BY
Colorado Public Radio
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Great Composers have?
The Great Composers currently has 15 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Great Composers about?
The Great Composers dives deep into the lives behind some of the greatest music ever written. It's a look a the world through the eyes of these gifted musical artists. Learn about obstacles they overcame, and their loves, losses, successes and failures. You'll feel you know Mozart, Rachmaninov and...
How often does The Great Composers release new episodes?
The Great Composers has 15 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Great Composers?
You can listen to The Great Composers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Great Composers?
The Great Composers is created and hosted by Colorado Public Radio.
URL copied to clipboard!