Debussy String Quartet

Debussy String Quartet

Author: Joshua Weilerstein February 23, 2023 Duration: 48:56

Just one year before Debussy wrote his legendary Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, he completed another groundbreaking work.  It was a string quartet, which he expected to be the first of many. But in the end, it would be the only one he would ever write. If you aren't familiar with Debussy's music, this quartet might be the perfect place to start. In the string quartet, Debussy mastered for the first time many of the things that would mark his later orchestral masterpieces, like La Mer, Images, and of course the Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. It is full of the virtuosity and brilliance of a young composer, the experimentation of one of the true radicals of his time, and the sensual beauty from a composer who said that music should exist above all to give pleasure to the listener.  Today I'll take you through the piece, discussing Debussy's Symbolist, NOT impressionist influences, his Brahmsian simultaneous embrace and destruction of musical form, and the vitality that carries you straight through one of the great string quartets of all time. Join us!


There’s a particular kind of curiosity that draws people to classical music, but the sheer scale of the repertoire can feel overwhelming. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast, hosted by conductor Joshua Weilerstein, meets that curiosity right where it is. Think of it as a series of open conversations about the music itself, designed to be equally engaging for someone hearing a symphony for the first time and for a lifelong devotee. Episodes might feature a thoughtful interview with a performing artist, offering a glimpse behind the curtain, or they could focus entirely on a single piece, peeling back its layers to explore why it resonates. Weilerstein guides these explorations with clarity and enthusiasm, moving seamlessly from foundational concepts to more nuanced details about different musical eras. The entire premise of this podcast is built on a genuine belief that this music belongs to all of us. It’s about replacing any sense of intimidation with connection and understanding. While past seasons are gradually being re-released, each episode stands as its own invitation to listen more deeply.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 284

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Beethoven String Quartet, Op. 132 (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
I've long hesitated to write a show about any of Beethoven's late string quartets. These are pieces that quartets spend the better part of their careers grappling with, struggling with, failing with, and much more rarely…
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Duration: 51:04
I was thrilled to be joined by Joshua Roman, cellist, composer, and curator. The core of our discussion centers on building an orchestra from the ground up. That is, not taking over an existing orchestra, but starting on…
Deborah Borda, President of the New York Philharmonic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:19
Of all the interviews I've done this year on Sticky Notes, this might be my favorite. I sat down a few weeks ago with Deborah Borda, the new CEO and President of the New York Philharmonic, to talk about the future of not…
A Conversation w/ Bass-Baritone Eric Owens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:25
Part 2 of The Week of the Voice is here with the incredible bass-baritone Eric Owens! We talk about the joy of getting to play bad guys in opera, his professional-level oboe playing(!!), conducting, the future of classic…
A Conversation w/ Mezzo Soprano Sasha Cooke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:38
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How to Change the World w/ Yo-Yo Ma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
Join conductor and host Joshua Weilerstein as he welcomes the legendary cellist and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma for a full-length interview! In the interview, we discuss what it means to be a musical citizen, how to create cha…
Emanuel Ax Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:01
Join conductor and host Joshua Weilerstein for a conversation with the world-renowned pianist Emanuel Ax! We cover crossword puzzles, growing up in the Soviet Union, moving to Canada, and then to New York, selling balone…
Eun Lee, Founder of The Dream Unfinished [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:16
Concluding a week-long focus on Composers of Color, join host Joshua Weilerstein as he welcomes Eun Lee, the founder of The Dream Unfinished, an activist orchestra using classical music as a platform to address issues of…
10 things to change about classical concerts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:12
Join your host, conductor Joshua Weilerstein, as he welcomes Aram Demirjian, the Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony, and Matt Szymanski, the Founder and Music Director of Phoenix, to discuss an article that roiled…