Classical Music Playlist, July 13, 2026The sunny nature of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 may have been his defiant attempt to overcome depression brought on by the realization that his increasing deafness was likely permanent and incurable. It’s today’s Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 10, 2026Sergei Rachmaninoff faced criticism for his 1926 Piano Concerto No. 4 sounding too “19th century.” So he revised it twice, finally in 1941 and that version is today's Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 9, 2026To gain experience writing for orchestra before tackling his first symphony (at age 46) and avoiding negative comparisons to Beethoven, Brahms composed other orchestral works from his mid-20s including his Serenade No. 1, today’s Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 8, 2026Between Mozart’s death and Beethoven’s fame, Haydn composed his final set of String Quartets in 1797, considered by many his greatest in the genre that he almost single handedly created. The first of that set is today’s Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 7, 2026The most performed of his symphonies in his native Denmark, the Symphony #4 titled "Symphonie Majestueuse," by Danish composer Asger Hamerik is today's Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 6, 2026In your car, at work or at home, listen for inspiring and relaxing classical music on Capital Public Radio!
Classical Music Playlist, July 3, 2026Aaron Copland’s 1944 ballet “Appalachian Spring” (originally scored for just 13 instruments) won him the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The condensed suite for an expanded orchestra that he compiled the following year is today’s Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 2, 2026Composed as a demonstration of how American composers can create a uniquely “American” sounding classical music, in 1893 Czech composer Antonín Dvořák composed his Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” It’s today’s Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, July 1, 2026Mozart wrote his final three symphonies in quick succession over the summer of 1788. The first of those, his Symphony No. 39, is today’s Midday Masterpiece.
Classical Music Playlist, June 30, 2026Esteemed in his day with many honors but largely forgotten since WW2, the Symphony No. 2 by Viennese composer Hans Gál is today's Midday Masterpiece.
