Mozart Requiem

Mozart Requiem

Author: Joshua Weilerstein July 18, 2024 Duration: 1:06:56

This show is a bit different today. Last year I did a live video podcast on Mozart's Requiem for my Patreon subscribers. I've now edited that show into an audio-only version for everyone to be able to listen to, since this is such an essential piece and there's so much to talk about with it! The audio only version won't get into as much granular detail as the video podcast did, and it won't include quite as many clips from the movie Amadeus, but all the same, we take a deep dive into Mozart's Requiem today, talking all about one of the greatest unfinished works in the history of art. We'll discuss the myths and legends behind the piece, the movements that Mozart started but never finished, and the completions of the score by different composers, especially the heavily criticized but still regularly used completion of Franz Sussmayr. We'll also talk about each movement in detail, exploring just what Mozart brought to the Requiem text. This piece has the distinction of being one of the greatest pieces ever written, just as it is, but also one of the great what-if stories in musical history. Join us to learn all about the Mozart Requiem, and if you want to see the full video version of the show, please head over to patreon.com/stickynotespodcast to find out how you can support the show. 


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
A Decidedly Undogmatic Conversation w/ Mahan Esfahani [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:41
Mahan Esfahani is a world-renowned harpsichordist who has said that it is his mission to rehabilitate the harpsichord as an instrument for modern audiences. In this conversation, we talked about Beethoven, playing modern…
Mahler Symphony No. 6, Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:50
Albert Camus once wrote: "when I describe what the catastrophe of man looks like, music comes into my mind—the music of Gustav Mahler." The last movement of Mahler 6 is a symphony within a symphony. It is a difficult mov…
Mahler Symphony No. 6, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
There are few controversies like the ones surrounding the order of the inner movements of Mahler 6. Musicologists and conductors battle with each other about what Mahler meant and what his wife knew, and they also are at…
Mahler Symphony No. 6, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:40
Mahler's 6th Symphony is one of his most complex and ambitious pieces, though it retains a firmly classical structure throughout. It has notorious performance problems such as the order of the middle movements, and the s…
Founding an Orchestra, w/ Eric and Colin Jacobsen of The Knights [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:33
Eric and Colin Jacobsen are co-founders of the The Knights. The orchestra has claimed a spot over the last 10 years as one of the most dynamic and adventurous orchestras in the world. Colin and Eric are some of the most…
Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3, "Organ" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:57
Saint-Saens considered his 3rd symphony his greatest work: "I have given all that I had to give. What I have done I shall never do again." Later in his life, Saint-Saens would be known as an arch-conservative, but at the…
Beethoven Triple Concerto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:00
Beethoven's Triple Concerto might be his most heavily criticized work. Musicians look down on it, critics always complain about it, conductors hate conducting it, orchestral musicians hate playing it, and yet it still ge…