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Welcome to Music Perspectives, the classical music podcast. We'll listen to sound clips, and talk with musicians and other music experts about the history and creation of some of the world's best music.

Music Perspectives is currently on sabbatical. We'll return in May. Until then, please enjoy the archive of shows available on this blog page.
Ed Justen

Romantic composer Gustav Mahler was one of his era's most revered opera conductors, yet his greatest desire was to shun the stage, and instead, compose works that challenged and upheld the Germanic tradition. Join us this week as we discuss the life and music of Mahler with Dr. Dirk Hillyer, a noted Boston-area musician, conductor, and educator.
Click on the title of this post to listen through your web browser, or, see the subscription information on the right. You may also subscribe to this podcast by e-mail using the link on the right.
Time: 42:38 Size: 48.8mb

Opera has the glamour and gets far greater press coverage, but the musical form of Oratorio includes an archive of compositions encompassing as much drama and musicality as its more popular art form cousin. Join us this week as we take a short look at the musical form of oratorio, from its early Roman beginnings to its glorious manifestation during the classical music era.

Click on the title of this post to listen through your web browser, or, see the subscription information on the right. You may also subscribe to this podcast by e-mail using the link on the right.

We conclude Mozart Mania Month with a few random facts about his life, and a three random music clips. We hope you have enjoyed this month long look at one of western civilizations greatest composers, and welcome your feedback about these podcasts.
Click on the title of this post to listen through your web browser, or, see the subscription information on the right. You may also subscribe to this podcast by e-mail using the link on the right.
Time: 13:11 Size: 12.1mb

Hearing "color" in sound takes a well trained ear as well as some knowledge of the "timbre," or individual sound characteristics, of instruments. Recognizing color is music, however, opens the listener to whole new dimension in music, and raises the listening experience to a higher level. Join us as we take a close look at how composers use color in sound, to add body, texture, and effects to the music. Clips include music from Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio , and Morton Gould's American Salute. Be sure to checkout this episode of Brian Ibbott's Coverville podcast, where he plays pop covers of classical music favorites. Click here (Coverville #115) to listen.

Today's show leaves the orchestral realm and focuses instead on wind chamber music. Join us as we listen to, and explore, the colors and textures of brass and woodwind chamber ensembles, and briefly explore the history of these groups. Click the title of this post to hear the file through your web browser, or click on the link below right to subscribe this podcast to an aggregator. Time: 7:32 Size: 6.9mb

The Independence Day holiday provides great opportunities for families to enjoy patriotic and classical music. In this episode of Music Perspectives, we take a close look at two compositions heard frequently during the July holiday season: Morton Gould's American Salute and Commando March by Samuel Barber. Click the title of the post to hear the file through your web browser, or click on the link below right to subscribe this podcast to an aggregator. Time: 10'19" Size: 9.5mb

Click on the title of this post to listen through your web browser. Henry Purcell lived and thrived during an age of royal patronage for musicians. He used his position to great advantage, becoming the most prolific composer of his age, and England's only major composer until the 20th century. Join us as we listen to a sample of Purcell's royal "welcome music" written for Queen Mary in 1691. File Size: 7 mb Duration: 7’ 49”

Click the title to this post to listen through your web browser. See the information on the right to subscribe to this podcast Italian composer Gioachino Rossini wrote an amazing 39 operas before turning 40, then put down his quill and retired for the rest of his life. Join us as we take a look at the famous "Rossini Cresecndo," his signature musical technique, and something he often used to add excitement and bravado to his work. Duration: 12' 21" File size: 11.3 mb

Click on the title of this post to listen through your web browser. Viennese composer Franz Schubert wrote a remarkable 900-plus pieces during his short life of 31 years, with the Piano Trio in E-flat arriving towards the end of that output. Join us as we take a quick listen to the second movement of this piece, compare the different textures of the instruments, and find out how Schubert used the special effects of three instruments to produce different settings and moods.