This Podcast Makes Classical Music Feel Fresh and Relatable
A new podcast called Classical for the Clueless is breaking down classical music for curious listeners. Hosted by Wilhelm Sinkovicz and Katrin Nussmayr, the show compares classical pieces with modern sounds. Each episode explores topics like musical modes and their emotional effects in an easy-to-follow way.
The latest episode examines why major and minor keys evoke different feelings. Major often sounds bright and happy, while minor tends to feel sad or reflective. The terms themselves come from Latin—major means 'hard' and minor means 'soft'.
The hosts highlight Joseph Haydn as an exception to these mood rules. His Symphony No. 44 includes a lively minuet in minor, and his String Quartet Op. 20 No. 4 features a funeral march written in major. These examples show how composers can bend traditional expectations.
New episodes drop every other Saturday on Die Presse's website and major podcast platforms. Wilhelm Sinkovicz produces the show, with audio post-production handled by Georg Gfrerer.
The podcast aims to make classical music more approachable by linking it to familiar ideas. Listeners can explore how composers use modes to shape emotions, with real examples from Haydn and others. Each episode offers a fresh perspective on music's hidden details.
