We’ve already tackled the best classical music blogs; now it’s time for the best podcasts dedicated to the genre. Join us as we discover the best classical music podcasts of 2024.
1. Sticky Notes
Joshua Weilerstein started his ‘Sticky Notes’ podcast with a seemingly simple mission: to make classical music accessible to absolutely anyone, from hesitant beginners to experienced artists to classical music lovers. Weilerstein strives to make the content explicit and easy to understand, entertaining listeners while simultaneously allowing them to learn.
The show spans a variety of topics and content types, featuring interviews with current classical music artists, detailed insights into composers’ works of art, and more.
If ‘Sticky Notes’ sounds like a podcast you’d like to try, you can do so on Apple Podcasts or Libsyn!
2. That Classical Podcast
While ‘That Classical Podcast’ hasn’t been around since 2021 (the final episode aired in August that year), it remains one of the best classical music podcasts available.
Hosted by a trio of classical music devotees, Kelly, Sascha, and Chris, the show explores classical music in a more witty and amusing way, which listeners can already sense in the titles and descriptions of each episode (‘Does your dog bark in tune’ and ‘So many Strausses, so little time’ are some of our favorites).
With that being said, however, the podcast also aims to be educational, covering the fundamentals of classical music and diving into the lives and repertoires of world-renowned classical masterminds.
It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Acas, Podtail, and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts.
3. Aria Code
The ‘Aria Code’ podcast is truly unique. It is dedicated to exploring the artistic beauty and magic of the greatest opera arias of all ages. Produced in partnership with The Metropolitan Opera, WQXR, and WNYC studios, each episode features one aria and deep-dives into its significance in the world of opera.
The show is hosted by the excellent Rhiannon Giddens, an American folk and bluegrass singer. She is occasionally joined by guests from and outside the music industry, including Canadian-American singer Rufus Wainwright or British actress Dame Judi Dench.
As a cherry on top, every episode concludes with the performance of the aria, recorded straight from the Met Opera stage.
You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, NPR, Vialma, and several other music and podcast platforms.
4. Mission: Commission
‘Mission: Commission’ is yet another podcast with an exceptional concept. It aims to demystify the process of ‘how classical music gets made’ by following the stories of contemporary composers.
Every series features three composers and takes us through their process of composing new works of music. It starts with an introduction of the composers and continues with their story by pulling the curtain back on all the steps and elements that will influence the composition process. This allows listeners to get unique insights into what it takes to be a composer and write compositions in current times.
To come full circle, the last three episodes of each series feature premiers of each composition performed by selected musicians.
You can listen to the ‘Mission: Commission’ podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
5. Trilloquy
While ‘Mission: Commission’ aims to demystify classical music, ‘Trilloquy,’ strives to decolonize the genre. As its hosts, Garrett McQueen and Scott Blankenship, explain, classical music is often falsely considered a genre and culture rooted in the ‘aesthetics of Western Europe.’ ‘Trilloquy’ is here to change this misconception and spark new conversations surrounding classical music.
The podcast was reportedly driven by the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and, in its nature, offers discussions that might be heavy yet necessary. Every episode features a guest and takes us through a particular topic, such as the significance of Black culture in classical music, racism, arts activism, the problematic character of arts funding, and more.
Are you intrigued? You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Podtail.
6. The Gramophone Classical Music Podcast
Similarly to the previous podcasts, ‘The Gramophone Classical Music Podcast' takes the form of a conversation with a wide variety of guests, from conductors to artists to music directors.
While its content is not devoted to directly influencing how classical music is and should be perceived, it seems to provide space to voices that may not always be heard or listened to. On top of that, the podcast has quite some tradition, having existed since 2017.
The Gramophone Classical Music Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music.
7. The Mind Over Finger Podcast
‘The Mind Over Finger Podcast’ has one clear purpose: to help musicians practice mindfully and build a purposeful career in classical music. In other words, it aims at classical music artists, offering tips, tricks, insights, and inspiration to enhance their skills, optimize their performances, and boost their careers.
Hosted by Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier, the podcast underlines the importance of mindfulness and intentionality in one’s career and invites guests — performers, pedagogues, and innovators — to share their own learnings and experiences.
You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Libsyn, and several other podcast platforms.
8. From The Top
The ‘From The Top’ podcast is unique in that it follows the stories, talent, and character of young classical musicians, particularly from the USA. Distributed by NPR, ‘From The Top’ is related to a non-profit organization of the same name, operating as ‘America’s largest national platform celebrating young classically-trained musicians.’
Hosted by pianist Peter Dugan, who is regularly joined by various co-hosts, each episode dives into the lives, dreams, and stories of remarkable young individuals. Overall, the podcast's concept is uplifting and inspirational, highlighting the profound insights and learnings that young people offer.
The podcast is available on NPR, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
