Where do you start in classical music? With this collection of suggestions for the basics.

Luwadlin Bosman/Unsplash

Reading the title of a classical piece of music can make you feel like you are already behind. Symphony, prelude, toccata, opus, all those numbers.... Is it important to know what they mean? Performance Today host Valerie Kahler will help decode this confusing taxonomy and give some tips for the next time you open a concert program.

Classically Training, Episode 4 – “Sonatas, concertos, and preludes, oh my!”

Aerin O'Malley

In this episode, Performance Today host Valerie Kahler gives some tips for the next time you open a concert program.


Graphic for Classically Training podcast featuring head with treble clef inside

Two women have a conversation in a recording studio with a piano in the background

Classically Training

YourClassical MPR

Classically Training: “Sonatas, concertos, and preludes, oh my!”

Conductors have an important job. They start the music, stop the music, set the tempo, and help shape the sound of a piece. And they do all of this with their arms! However, every conductor does the arm-waving part a little differently. So how do musicians know what to do? This week, our host sits down with conductor Hannah Schendel to help demystify the movement that creates our music.

Classically Training, Episode 3 – What does the arm waving mean?

In this episode, our host sits down with conductor Hannah Schendel to demystify the art of conducting.


Two women have a conversation in a recording studio

Classically Training: What does the arm waving mean?

Introduce basic musical concepts to a kid — or yourself — with Class Notes.


Courtney Perry, Jerry Olson, Nate Ryan

YourClassical Class Notes: Free music resources

There are 88 keys on the piano, and each one plays a different note. But how did they choose those 88 notes and why did they stop there? Is that even something someone chooses? In this episode, Dr. Andy Fleser explains the history of one of the world’s most important instruments. 

Classically Training, Episode 2 – How did the notes on the piano get there?

In this episode, Dr. Andy Fleser explains the history of the piano, one of the world’s most important instruments.


Two people have a conversation next to a piano

MPR 

Classically Training: How did the notes on the piano get there?

Classically Training, Episode 1: What is classical music? Our curious host decides this is where her journey should begin but quickly learns that the answer may be harder to find. After consulting with folks on the street and an elementary music class, she decides to get some help from conductor Bill Eddins.

Classically Training, Episode 1: What is classical music?

Our curious host quickly learns that the answer may be harder to find.


Two people smile and have a conversation in a recording studio

Classically Training: What is classical music?

Evren Ozel, piano; 2014 Minnesota Varsity

Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 28

Follow along as YourClassical tracks the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious showcases of rising piano talent. 


2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Final Concerto 4

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Final Concerto 3

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Final Concerto 2

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Final Concerto 1

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 8 – Recital

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 9 – Recital

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 6– Recital

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 7 – Concerto

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 4 – Recital

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 5 – Concerto

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 2 – Recital

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 3– Concerto

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Semifinal Concert 1– Recital

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Quarterfinal Recital 1

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Quarterfinal Recital 2

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Quarterfinal Recital 3

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Quarterfinal Recital 4

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Quarterfinal Recital 5

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 7

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 8

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 9

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 4

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 5

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 6

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 1

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 2

2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - Preliminary Recital 3

Концерт Вана Клиберна. Van Cliburn in Moscow Conservatory (1958)

Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 – LISZT 12 Transcendental Etudes – Semifinal Round Recital–2022 Cliburn Competition

Ralph Lauer

YourClassical follows the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

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Cynthia Dickison

Explore the evolution of contemporary classical music with YourClassical. Discover innovative compositions and composers pushing artistic boundaries today.


Poem for 2084 – The Crossing / Edie Hill

The Choir of Merton College Oxford | David Lang: again (after ecclesiastes) | Benjamin Nicholas

Karakurenai by Andy Akiho

Errollyn Wallen: Concerto Grosso | Academy of St Martin in the Fields | The Beacon Project

eighth blackbird performs "Still Life with Avalanche" by Missy Mazzoli

Anna Þorvaldsdóttir: Aeriality

Become Ocean

The River - ETHEL and Robert Mirabal (FULL ALBUM)

Fate Now Conquers, Carlos Simon

Voiceless Mass

Nico Muhly: Throughline

Soulfood by Jlin Performed by Third Coast Percussion

Classical Basics

Caroline Tompkins

What is contemporary classical music?

Classical Feature

“O mio babbino caro” from "Gianni Schicchi"

"Largo al factotum" from "The Barber of Seville"

“Libiamo ne’lieti calici” from "La Traviata"

"Ride of the Valkyries" from "Die Walkure"

Galop Infernal from Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld"

"Voi che sapete" from "The Marriage of Figaro"

"La donna e movile" from Verdi's "Rigoletto"

"Vesti la giubba" from "I Pagliacci" by Leoncavallo

"Summertime" from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess"

Explore the beauty and drama of the most famous opera songs. From soaring arias to lively dances, explore the most popular opera compositions to date.


Aretha Franklin "Nessun Dorma" Liveᴴᴰ (Grammy Awards)

Funny Super Bowl Commercial 2008 - Doritos: "Mouse Trap"

Gilligan's Island Gilligan as Hamlet sings "To be or not to be" to Carmen's Habenera

Every Time "Largo al factotum" (from The Barber of Seville) Was Used in Classic Looney Tunes

Mrs. Doubtfire Opening

Elmer Fudd - Kill the Wabbit (Official Video) ft. Bugs Bunny

Samuel Ramey on Sesame Street

Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth Sings | BBC

La donna è mobile

No More Rice Krispies!!!! - Scenes

Don Perdue/WNET

12 of the most famous opera songs

Tchaikovsky -- Waltz of the Flowers

Vivaldi -- Spring

Brahms -- Wiegenlied

Bach -- Sheep May Safely Graze

Unlock the amazing benefits of classical music for your baby’s development. Explore how it can soothe, stimulate and nurture growth. Read on to learn more!


Wiegenlied (Lullaby) , K. 350

Harjinder Singh

Benefits of classical music for babies

Vaughn Williams -- The Lark Ascending

Beethoven -- Monlight Sonata

Satie -- Gymnopedie No. 1

Mozart -- violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major

Mozart -- Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major

Handel -- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Discover the transformative power of classical music and its benefits to your mind and soul. Read more to elevate your everyday life through music!
