Sticky Notes Mailbag!

Sticky Notes Mailbag!

Author: Joshua Weilerstein June 27, 2019 Duration: 1:02:06

At long last, it's the Sticky Notes mailbag!  I'm joined by a special guest to answer around 20 questions such as, "What is the best way to learn how to compose?" or "Is there a simple explanation in classical music itself for this love that I feel which makes me miss a beat when I listen to it and that can reduce me to tears?" I'll also be answering questions about conducting, programming, musical theory, and much more. I had such a great time doing this, and I hope you enjoy it!


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 Symphony No. 9, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:20
The cycle is complete! Would it surprise you to find out that Beethoven's 9th Symphony wasn't his last piece? Would it surprise you that he was actually considering an all instrumental movement for the last movement? Or…
Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:38
More has been written about the meaning of Beethoven's 9th than any other symphony. There are more recordings of it, more performances of it, and more uses of its most famous theme, the Ode to Joy, than any other piece.…
Beethoven Symphony No. 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:43
In 1812, Beethoven's life was in ruins. He was embroiled in court battles, pining away for his "Immortal Beloved," and profoundly depressed. His musical response is one of his funniest, most charming, and most "classical…
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:31
The composer Carl Maria Von Weber called it the work of a madman. Clara Schumann's father, Friedrich Wieck, called it the work of a drunk. Beethoven's 7th has been popular ever since its premiere, but as you can see, not…
Beethoven Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:01
Beethoven once said: "No one can love the country as much as I do. For surely woods, trees, and rocks produce the echo which man desires to hear." There's no better example of Beethoven's love of nature than in his 6th s…
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
They are the most famous 8 notes in all of Western Classical Music. If you walk down the street and ask someone to name a piece of classical music, they will surely say Beethoven 5. But why? What's the deal with the 5th?…
Beethoven Symphony No. 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:48
Beethoven often gets the reputation of being a composer of extreme seriousness, shaking his fist at the heavens while dealing with a litany of medical ailments and heartbreak, and there is some truth to that as well. But…
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:10
Two of the most famous chords in classical music propel us into this revolutionary, wild, and remarkable symphony. At the time, the Eroica symphony was the longest symphony ever written. At the time it was definitely the…
Beethoven Symphony No. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
We continue the Beethoven cycle this week with his underrated 2nd symphony. Written at the height of Beethoven's despair over his increasing deafness, you might think that the symphony would be a dark and stormy one, but…
Beethoven Symphony No. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:02
Today begins a pretty massive project for Sticky Notes - a complete Beethoven cycle over the next few weeks! We start of course with Beethoven's 1st symphony. Some people tend to think of Beethoven's 1st as a cautious fo…