George Gershwin visited African-American churches and nightclubs in South Carolina to craft the music for “Porgy & Bess.” Years after his death, the opera and its all-star cast played an unexpected role in Cold War relations.

“There is only one Beethoven”

2 May 14th, 2019 35m 31s

Everybody knows the Beethoven story: He’s a brilliant composer who faced hearing loss; a genius who couldn’t listen to his own masterpieces. But there’s a different way to consider the story we think we know.

Symphony for a starving city

May 7th, 2019 32m 40s

Making music under Stalin was a dangerous undertaking — it could end with applause or in a prison camp. In the brutal grip of World War II, Shostakovich composed a symphony so powerful, it was smuggled halfway around the world in order to be pl

“Why did you betray me?”

Apr 30th, 2019 37m 41s

This is the story of two letters Tchaikovsky received in the mail. One would lead to his greatest mistake; the other to the most intimate relationship of his life.

Oil, meet fire

Apr 23rd, 2019 31m 58s

Richard Strauss and his wife Pauline de Ahna are often described as artist and muse. But you’ve never met a muse like Pauline. One of Strauss’ greatest musical masterpieces was ripped straight from the most scandalous moment of their marriage.F

“A fallen, abominable, wicked girl”

Apr 16th, 2019 41m 20s

Clara Schumann was a child prodigy turned international sensation — when she never should have been on stage at all. This is the story of a woman who was born to play, and refused to stop.

Trailer

Introducing Decomposed with Jade Simmons

Apr 2nd, 2019 2m 20s

Coming April 16, Decomposed breaks down the stories that have shaped classical music. Hosted by pianist Jade Simmons, this new podcast will change the way you hear the notes.