The Architects of Music

Though often maligned due to its occasional excess, let's not "throw out the baby with the bathwater" and deprive ourselves of the true beauties of this work. 0:00 -- Introduction 1:31 -- First Movement 10:25—Scherzo 16:08—Third Movement 21:40—Finale 29:49-- Coda(s) 33:50-- Closing thoughts

A fascinating look at one of Shostakovich's most tuneful, thrilling works that nevertheless is maligned the world over. Why? Could it have something to do with the fact that it was written in praise of one of history's greatest mass murderers? {Complete playthrough begins at 30:19}

Strauss' most stunning (and compact) tone poem, a veritable thrill-ride of orchestral pyrotechnics, thematic wizardry, and vivid story-telling. Here's how it was done....

French composer Vincent D'Indy's brilliant programmatic Variations, a meticulously designed masterpiece that parallels the exotic Babylonian legend of the goddess Istar and the 7 mystical portals. Follow her journey through the underworld as she is gradually revealed----in all her musical glory. {Complete playthrough begins at 59:06}

This long-anticipated series begins with an overview of the legendary era from which the classic symphonic forms developed. Follow the step-by-step construction of great musical masterpieces and the geniuses that created them!