32 episodes
The Open Ears Project WQXR & WNYC Studios
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- Music
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4.9 • 464 Ratings
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Part mix tape, part sonic love-letter, the Open Ears Project is a daily podcast where people share the classical track that means the most to them. Each episode offers a soulful glimpse into other human lives, helping us to hear this music—and each other—differently.
The Open Ears Project is produced by WQXR and WNYC Studios, home of great podcasts including Radiolab, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media, Nancy, and Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin.
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BONUS: Tom Hiddleston on The Nutcracker
Actor Tom Hiddleston reminisces about his childhood love of Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker and reveals that he still turns to the Russian Dance whenever he needs a shot of vitality in his day.
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Esther Perel on Peace
For the final episode in our opening season of The Open Ears Project, relationship therapist Esther Perel talks about the first time she heard Fauré’s Requiem as a young woman and how it seemed to “understand” an inexpressible sadness she was carrying inside her.
She describes with great tenderness the way music connects her to her mother, a survivor of the Holocaust, and how this piece transports her to something akin to a religious experience.
Keep listening after the episode to hear the full track. -
Krystal Hawes on Imperfection
Project Coordinator Krystal Hawes explores the perfect imperfection of Maurice Ravel's Pavane pour une infante défunte.
Keep listening after the episode to hear the full track. -
Dessa on Patience
Rapper Dessa discusses how the craft, structure and emotion of Bach's Chaconne in D minor resonates through her life and work, revealing dynamic connections between classical and rap music.
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Jesse Eisenberg on History
Actor Jesse Eisenberg talks about how a trip to Poland led him to discover not only more about his family history and the holocaust, but the music of Frédéric Chopin, in particular the Etude Opus 10, No. 1.
Keep listening after the episode to hear the full track. -
Christopher Wheeldon on A Journey
Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon gives moving insight into his long and inspiring journey with the music of Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto.
Keep listening after the episode to hear the full track.
Customer Reviews
Open Ears, you rock!
Thanks for this amazing expedition into classical music that made me dance and sigh and laugh with new appreciation and insights into these people and pieces!!!
Love this pod!
I’m still listening back to episodes a year later, and I’m regularly turning in the Spotify playlist. It really brought classical music to life to me and made it accessible. Bring it back!!!
I miss this wonderful podcast!
I absolutely loved this podcast. Brilliant concept, structure, and execution. It uplifted and inspired me time and again. As someone who was rarely exposed to classical music prior, it enriched my life immensely. Please consider making more episodes!