Johann Michael Haydn was Joseph Haydn’s younger brother. Based in Salzburg, Michael Haydn was widely-respected by his Classical-era contemporaries — including Mozart and Schubert. Guest Dr. Eva Neumayr will introduce you to this important composer who is little-known today.

Joseph Haydn visited London in two one-year trips. Learn how his experience in London's musical and cultural scene dramatically impacted his later compositions from guest Dr. Denis McCaldin, director of the Joseph Haydn Society of Great Britain.

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE) is a period instrument ensemble based in London. Guest Margaret Faultless, co-leader of the OAE, discusses how Age of Enlightenment ideals influenced composers during the Baroque and Classical eras — and their impact today.

You likely knew that Wolfgang Amadé Mozart was a child prodigy, but did you know his older sister, Maria Anna, was also a musical genius? Salzburg-based musicologist Dr. Eva Neumayr discusses why Maria Anna's story faded from the spotlight and her importance in preserving Wolfgang’s legacy.

Orchester Wiener Akademie is a period instrument orchestra based in Vienna. Founder and music director Martin Haselböck talks about how Vienna provides unique opportunities to feel closer to Classical-era composers, such as the ability to perform in the original performance settings with their RESOUND concert series.

A previously unknown Beethoven piano piece was discovered in January 2020 among the archives of the Vienna City Hall Library. The piece was found by Dr. Jochen Reutter, editor-in-chief at Wiener Urtext Edition, and we discuss this exciting new find.

Beethoven Lieder, or art songs, are an underrepresented body of classical music repertoire. Guest Stephanie Houtzeel — mezzo-soprano from the Vienna State Opera — discusses what she learned by performing these songs during the Beethoven 2020 celebrations.. You'll also hear her perform three of Beethoven’s Lieder, accompanied by Daniel Adam Maltz.

Chorus Viennensis is a male choir composed of former members of the Vienna Boys Choir. They champion works from the Renaissance through today’s pop music — and their Advent concerts are a must-see at Christmas. Michael Schneider, conductor and artistic director, and chairman Armin Radlherr talk about the group’s unique place in Viennese music culture.

The Vienna Boys Choir (German: Wiener Sängerknaben) has delighted audiences for over 500 years and acts as an unofficial ambassador of Viennese music culture. Dr. Tina Breckwoldt, official historian for the choir, discusses their story — both past and present.

Fortepianos championed by classical composers such as Beethoven and Mozart came from a rich tradition of piano making in Vienna. Guest Alfons Huber explains fortepiano history and why these pianos disappeared after the classical era.

Silent Night was composed in Oberndorf, a small village in Austria, but spread across the world as the most performed Christmas song. Guest Hermann Schneider explains the history of "Silent Night" and why it captures our hearts.

Alma Rosé was a celebrity and classical music royalty — Gustav Mahler was her uncle and her father was concertmaster for the Vienna Philharmonic. But, the next chapter of her life included: Nazis, the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, a prisoner’s orchestra, and saving lives. Hear her incredible story from experts Dr. Michaela Raggam-Blesch, Dr. Heidemarie Uhl, and Dr. Monika Sommer.

Do you really know how to read classical music from the era of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven? In this episode of Classical Cake, guest Malcolm Bilson – an expert in historical performance practices – will make you question what you’ve learned as he gives tips on interpreting musical notation. 

Classical music from Mozart and Beethoven’s day was written for the fortepiano. Guests Paul McNulty and Viviana Sofronitsky build and test fortepiano replicas with painstaking detail. The result is a sound that makes classical music come alive in a way that modern pianos can’t.

Piano compositions by Mozart and Beethoven were written for the fortepiano – an early piano much different from the Steinways invented 100+ years later than the fortepiano. Guest Ingomar Rainer explains how fortepianos influenced classical music and their impact on today’s pianists.

Joseph Haydn’s personality comes alive with stories about his exchanges with Beethoven and Napoleon. In part 2 of a 2-part series, discover how Haydn’s wit and loyalty affected his relationships and music in his later years.

Joseph Haydn is less talked about than Mozart and Beethoven, but his contributions to classical music are immense. In part 1 of a 2-part series, discover his incredible journey from disgraced choirboy to celebrated composer.

Who was Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved, the unknown woman mentioned in a passionate letter discovered after Beethoven’s death? This question has obsessed people for almost 200 years. Our guest, musicologist Dr. Rita Steblin, finally identifies the correct woman.