The Soulful Majesty Of St. Matthew Passion The Classical Music Minute podcast

1:00

Description Swan Lake: Tchaikovsky’s Enchanting Ballet of Love and Tragedy in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is a legendary ballet of love and tragedy, featuring an unforgettable score. Despite initial rejection, it became an enduring masterpiece. Its haunting melodies and dramatic storytelling capture the grace of ballet and the depths of human emotion, securing its place as a timeless classic. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
The Blue Danube: Strauss’s Timeless Waltz of Elegance and Flow 1:00

13 days ago1:00

1:00

Description The Blue Danube: Strauss’s Timeless Waltz of Elegance and Flow in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Johann Strauss II’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube epitomizes elegance, fluidity, and grandeur. Originally a choral piece, it became an iconic waltz, symbolizing Vienna’s culture and charm. Despite its initial lukewarm reception, it gained worldwide acclaim, remaining a beloved staple in New Year’s celebrations and classical music history. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Verdi’s Nabucco: A Triumph of Freedom and Song 1:00

20 days ago1:00

1:00

Description Verdi’s Nabucco: A Triumph of Freedom and Song in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco is a landmark opera that established his reputation as a composer. Featuring the iconic "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves," it blends dramatic storytelling with powerful music, reflecting themes of exile and freedom. Its success marked the rise of Verdi as a towering figure in Italian opera. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Holst's The Planets: Astrology, Emotion, and Musical Genius 1:00

27 days ago1:00

1:00

Description Holst's The Planets: Astrology, Emotion, and Musical Genius in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Gustav Holst's The Planets transforms astrological symbolism into a stunning orchestral journey. Each movement captures the unique emotional essence of a planet, showcasing Holst's innovative orchestration and introspective artistry. With its groundbreaking techniques and universal themes, the suite remains a timeless masterpiece of imagination, depth, and musical storytelling. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Erik Satie: The Velvet Gentleman of Musical Eccentricity 1:00

5 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description Erik Satie: The Velvet Gentleman of Musical Eccentricity in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Erik Satie’s first known composition, Allegro (1884), reflects the young composer’s early exploration of classical piano forms. Though relatively conventional compared to his later experimental works, it hints at his developing style. Satie’s distinctive voice, blending simplicity and eccentricity, would soon emerge, marking him as a true musical original. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Arnold Schoenberg: The Maverick Composer with a Fear of 13 1:00

6 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description Arnold Schoenberg: The Maverick Composer with a Fear of 13 in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Arnold Schoenberg's most famous piece, Pierrot Lunaire (1912), is a groundbreaking work blending atonal music with Sprechstimme —a vocal style between speaking and singing. Featuring a haunting mix of chamber instruments and surreal poetry, it redefined modern music, capturing the eerie, fragmented emotions of early 20th-century expressionism. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
The Haunting Brilliance of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor 1:00

7 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description The Haunting Brilliance of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact The exact date and location of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor premiere remain unclear, but it likely debuted in the early 1700s, showcasing Bach’s virtuosity as an organist. Originally performed on a church organ, its dramatic opening and intricate fugue highlighted his mastery of Baroque composition and improvisation. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
The Soulful Majesty of St. Matthew Passion 1:00

8 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description The Soulful Majesty of St. Matthew Passion in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Bach’s St. Matthew Passion premiered on Good Friday, April 11, 1727, at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. Performed as part of the church service, its emotional depth and intricate structure made a lasting impression. Though initially modest in reception, it later gained recognition as one of Bach’s greatest masterpieces. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Silent Night: The Humble Song That Captured the World 1:00

9 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description Silent Night: The Humble Song That Captured the World in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact The Silent Night Chapel in Oberndorf, Austria, stands on the site where Silent Night was first performed in 1818. Built in 1937 after the original church was destroyed, it honors the carol’s creation by Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber. The chapel hosts a special Christmas service each year. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
The Mystery and Majesty of 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' 1:00

10 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description The Mystery and Majesty of 'O Come, All Ye Faithful' in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact A fun fact about O Come, All Ye Faithful is that it’s sometimes called the “Portuguese Hymn.” Legend has it that it was performed at the Portuguese royal chapel, leading some to mistakenly believe it originated there. This international mix-up only adds to its enduring charm and intrigue! __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Celebrating 200 Episodes & Anton Bruckner (born 1824) 1:00

11 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description Celebrating 200 Episodes & Anton Bruckner (born 1824) in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major, known as the "Romantic," is his most famous work. Celebrated for its majestic themes, sweeping orchestration, and evocative depiction of nature and medieval life, it captures Bruckner's deep spirituality and dramatic vision, solidifying his place among the great symphonic composers of the Romantic era. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
The Plot of Madame Butterfly in 60 Seconds 1:00

12 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description The Plot of Madame Butterfly in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact The most famous aria from Madame Butterfly is "Un bel dì, vedremo" ("One Fine Day, We'll See"). Sung by Cio-Cio-San (Madame Butterfly), it expresses her unwavering hope for her husband's return. This poignant aria is a masterpiece of longing and optimism, beautifully showcasing Puccini's emotional depth and melodic genius. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
The Soulful Journey of the Oboe: From Ancient Reeds to Modern Mastery 1:00

13 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description The Soulful Journey of the Oboe: From Ancient Reeds to Modern Mastery in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact One of the most famous pieces for oboe is Alessandro Marcello’s Oboe Concerto in D minor. Composed in the early 18th century, this Baroque gem highlights the oboe’s lyrical and expressive qualities. The slow, emotive Adagio movement is particularly beloved, showcasing the instrument’s ability to sing with haunting beauty. Often performed and recorded, the concerto remains a favorite in the oboe repertoire, offering both technical brilliance and profound emotional depth. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
From Bone to Brilliance: The Flute’s Fabulous Evolution 1:00

14 weeks ago1:00

1:00

Description From Bone to Brilliance: The Flute’s Fabulous Evolution in 60 Seconds. Take a minute to get the scoop! Fun Fact One of the most iconic classical pieces for the flute is Claude Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" (1894). This masterpiece opens with an enchanting flute solo, evoking the dreamy musings of a faun in a sunlit glade. The delicate, flowing melody pushes the flute’s expressive range, blending impressionistic colours with ethereal charm. Revolutionary for its time, the piece redefined orchestral music and remains a cornerstone for flutists, captivating audiences with its hypnotic beauty. __________________________________________________________________ About Steven, Host Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers. __________________________________________________________________ You can FOLLOW ME on Instagram. 👋 Please Buy Me A Coffee 🤓☕️ Support the show…

The Classical Music Minute

1
Felix Mendelssohn: The Wunderkind Who Composed with Spark & Soul 1:00

15 weeks ago1:00