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Artwork for Classical Music Happy Hour

Classical Music Happy Hour

WNYC, WQXR
Yo-Yo Ma
Classical Music
Coal Mining
Upper Big Branch Explosion
Nature
West Virginia
Mary Lou Williams
Take Me Home, Country Roads
Earthjustice
16 Tons
Jazz Music
Crystal Good
WQXR
Acadia National Park
Wabanaki Nations
Princeton Theological Seminary
Kathy Mattea
Duke University
Chris Saunders
Emanuel Ax

Join renowned pianist and host Emanuel Ax for Classical Music Happy Hour: a new podcast full of music, merriment, and conversation. Manny (Emanuel) talks with an eclectic lineup of composers, performers, and creative voices from the world of classical music and beyond. Each episode explores the guest’s life and career, dives into their favorite classical gems, includes music-inspired games, and fo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes25Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsDocumentaryMusicSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Classical Music Happy Hour

Latest Episodes

Host Manny Ax is back for a very special live episode of Classical Music Happy Hour featuring highlights from the sold-out launch party this past March.

Joined on stage by Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce, author and New York Times columni... more

Hi Classical Music Happy Hour listeners! I’m your host, Manny Ax. I’ve heard from so many of you over the course of this season and I’m so proud of this show and the community we are creating. We’re working hard on another season with amazing guests,... more

Violinist and social media guru Ray Chen wraps up this season of Classical Music Happy Hour with an in-studio live performance. He chats with Manny about video games, performance anxiety, and his practice app Tonic. In our game, he joins Manny in our... more

Paquito D’Rivera is composer, saxophonist and clarinetist whose work spans classical, jazz and latin music.  Born in Havana, Cuba,  D’Rivera started his career playing with the National Theater Orchestra at the age of 10 and has been on stage for sev... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ray Chen
Violinist; co‑founder of the Tonic app
Tonic, violinist
Episode: Ray Chen - superstar violinist wants you to practice
Paquito D'Rivera
Saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, author
Cuban musician, Grammy-Latin Grammy winner
Episode: Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman)
Yefim Bronfman
Pianist
Episode: Yefim Bronfman - master of the keyboard
Isabel Hagen
Juilliard-trained violist, comedian, writer/director of On a String
Violist and comedian
Episode: Isabel Hagen - likes a good viola joke
Nicholas Brittel
Composer known for film scores such as Moonlight, The Big Short, Succession theme
Composer
Episode: Nicholas Britell - more than that one viral theme song!
David Hyde Pierce
Actor known for Frasier; active in musical theater
Actor, performer
Episode: David Hyde Pierce - a.k.a. Niles Crane
Jeanine Tesori
Composer and librettist known for Fun Home, Kimberly Akimbo, Grounded, Blue
Composer
Episode: Jeanine Tesori - from “Fun Home” to the Met Opera
Yo-Yo Ma
World-renowned cellist invited as guest
Yo-Yo Ma; performer
Episode: Yo-Yo Ma - 53 years of friendship and duets
John McWhorter
Linguist and Columbia University professor; host of Lexicon Valley
Columbia University
Episode: John McWhorter - Lover of Language

Host

Manny Ax
Host of Classical Music Happy Hour; frequent interviewer of leading classical musicians and performers.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 424 ratings
  • My Get Away

    I look forward to learning about our First Peoples and our dependence on nature and how humans connect music.

    i enjoy relaxed interviews with musicians that bring me closer to their humanness and inspire me to continue my own passion in music.

    It's simplistic, sophisticated and includes rich pieces of music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a2mmmmm
    United Statesa month ago
  • Never too Many Manny!

    We love this show, our favorite new podcast. Great, relaxed conversations, but the games are also a hoot. Please bring it back for another season!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Neil in NYC
    United States2 months ago
  • Two thumbs up!!

    My new favorite podcast. It has everything I enjoy: a friendly and generous host, musical samples, and it's very informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mudpie55
    United States3 months ago
  • Best classical music podcast

    I’ve been waiting for classical music podcasts like this for years, finally it happened! I don’t miss any episode! Thanks for the conversations with the greatest musicians alive!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sofieindie
    United States3 months ago
  • Happy Hour Indeed

    So far, I have listened to all 16 episodes twice. It is joyous, it is informative, it is entertaining. Ax is a wonderful host, and his guests are delightful to get to know. I will surely listen repeatedly and you should as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Janet in Atlanta
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many reviewers highlight the live music, games, and informative discussions as standout elements.
Fans appreciate the host's warmth and the show's ability to make classical music feel accessible and human.
Listeners praise the relaxed, friendly interview style and engaging conversations with top musicians.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ray Chen - superstar violinist wants you to practice
Q: Was there a time when you realized that you made it as a soloist?
Ray explains that realizing success came from a sequence of competitions; winning the Yehudi Menuhin Competition boosted his confidence and the subsequent Queen Elizabeth win confirmed that he had crossed from potential to a established soloist, changing how he approached music and his career.
Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman)
Q: Is improvisation something you can teach, or is it mostly innate?
Paquito emphasizes that while some learn by ear and practice, true improvisation comes from harmony knowledge, listening, and constructing phrases rather than merely playing by rules.
Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman)
Q: What makes Benny Goodman's playing so special to you?
He points to Goodman's beautiful timbre and distinct sound, noting the difficulty of making the clarinet sing without turning it into something unpleasant, which inspired his own approach to tone.
Paquito D’Rivera -Beef, Beans and Benny (Goodman)
Q: How did you learn to improvise when you started as a kid?
Paquito explains that improvisation grew from learning by ear and transcribing solos from Benny Goodman and others, then gradually developing his own voice through practice and listening.
Yefim Bronfman - master of the keyboard
Q: What do you look for in music that is unfamiliar to the public?
Bronfman emphasizes believing in the music and choosing pieces you personally connect with, because public reception often follows the performer's conviction and enthusiasm rather than solely the piece's fame.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Music Happy Hour

What is Classical Music Happy Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Relaxed, music-loving conversations with a wide range of classical musicians, composers, and artists. Each episode blends intimate career stories, discussions of repertoire and creative process, live musical moments, and entertaining games or listener Q&As. The host duo brings warmth, curiosity, and humor to topics ranging from technique and practice to performance psychology and culture, making it accessible for both avid classical fans and newcomers. Noteworthy are the guest roster (top-tier performers and composers), the cocktail-party vibe, and audience participation elements that invite listeners to engage beyond the episode ends.

Potential listeners may appreciate thoughtful interviews that balance depth with charm, frequent live mus... more

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How many listeners does Classical Music Happy Hour get?

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How many subscribers and views does Classical Music Happy Hour have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Classical Music Happy Hour has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Classical Music Happy Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Classical Music Happy Hour:

1. Fresh Air
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. This American Life
4. Radiolab
5. The Moth

How many episodes of Classical Music Happy Hour are there?

Classical Music Happy Hour launched a year ago and published 25 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Classical Music Happy Hour?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Classical Music Happy Hour?

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What guests have appeared on Classical Music Happy Hour?

Recent guests on Classical Music Happy Hour include:

1. Ray Chen
2. Paquito D'Rivera
3. Yefim Bronfman
4. Isabel Hagen
5. Nicholas Brittel
6. David Hyde Pierce
7. Jeanine Tesori
8. Yo-Yo Ma

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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