Classical music is often perceived, unfairly, as elitist, and this stuffy reputation is taking a toll. These six podcasts aim to take the mystery out of the genre and put the entertainment factor back in, blending lively conversations and personal storytelling with expert analysis, history and selections of the music itself.
This long-running series bills itself as “a classical musical podcast for everyone,” approaching the genre as a source of joy and entertainment rather than a worthy cultural chore. The host, Joshua Weilerstein, is the chief conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and the music director of the Orchestre National de Lille, and his infectious enthusiasm permeates the show as he focuses on a composer, piece or musical movement in each episode. There’s plenty for experts to enjoy, too, including detailed structural analyses of specific symphonies and the historical context behind them, and insightful interviews with fellow conductors, composers and musicians.
Starter episode: “Handel’s Messiah with Aram Demirjian”
Many people are exposed to symphonic music through movie scores, and they can be a gateway to further exploration. Over 36 episodes, this Australian podcast delves into the scores for some of the most acclaimed films and successful blockbusters, including “Jurassic Park,” “Vertigo” and multiple “Star Wars” installments. It’s hosted by a trio of experts: Andrew Pogson, a producer, director and jazz musician; Nicholas Buc, a composer and conductor, and Dan Golding, a composer and academic. The three men deconstruct the themes, orchestration and narrative context of each score in fascinating detail. Some episodes widen the exposure to explore TV shows (“Stranger Things”), video games (Journey) and even the overlooked (but surprisingly nuanced) stories behind Hollywood’s studio fanfares — the familiar blasts that play over the logos for 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and others at the beginning of movies.
Starter episode: “Episode 25: ‘Blade Runner’”
The British actress Joanna Lumley, best known for co-starring in the long-running comedy “Absolutely Fabulous,” has been married to the conductor and composer Stephen Barlow since 1986. In this charming and insightful series, the couple share relaxed conversations about their love of classical music, often joined by famous guests including Stephen Fry, Carey Mulligan and Bradley Cooper. Lumley takes the role of the enthusiastic amateur, often posing questions to Barlow about specific composers, pieces or head-scratching quandaries (like what musical note you could not live without).
