This podcast has been a fantastic introduction to classical music that is new to me, and a wealth of insight into works I’ve listened to many times before. I’ll be singing in the choir for Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony tonight (as of the writing of this review of course) and it was such a joy to learn the background of the symphony as a whole from this podcast. I also had the pleasure of attending a SF Symphony performance of Prokofiev’s fifth symphony a few months back, a piece introduced to me through Sticky Notes. Thank you for accompanying my daily commutes and expanding my knowledge of classical music. 10/10 podcast!

I love his description of Dvorak cello concerto- it is pure beauty. But the rubato hurts-the main challenge. The solo part does get very high- full of cadenzas and ornaments

Joshua Weilerstein is a modern-day Leonard Bernstein, as an educator and proponent of classical music. If you’ve had doubts about whether classical music is your cup of tea, I can’t think of a better way to get hooked than by tuning in to Sticky Notes.

Thank you Josh for making this show! I have a newfound love for classic music and the history intertwined with it. My favorite part of the week is when you drop a new episode, please do more in French (:

I listened to your commentary on Shostakovich’s 8th symphony before I went to the concert. It helped me a lot to understand the music and I was deeply impressed and overwhelmed. Keep up the good work. You’re promoting classical music so that people who don’t know any musical theory can enjoy a concert more. I do hope that you can dive into some more chamber music as well cuz I love them too :D

Really enjoy this! Very well done!

This podcast is really good for me. It soothes my heart and mind in a unique way.

I absolutely love the host’s enthusiasm and love for the music he analyzes! I find this podcast very entertaining, informative, and fun. I’ve been a student of classical music for decades now, and I’ve learned so much about the history, context, and intricacies of these pieces from Mr. Weilerstein. Bravo, and keep up the excellent work!

For a conductor, you might be concerned about this; as a listener quite familiar with Audio levels, realize that you were voice is about four times maybe five times as loud as the music you play. Very annoying because to actually hear the textures in the music we have to turn up the volume and then turn your dialogue down, because it would break glass at that level. Maybe you can get your engineers or whoever, to level out the music and the voice to be in the same neighborhood.

A wonderful analysis of this great Czech music by a conductor who loves this piece. As usual, I always learn new things on these podcasts. I suggest a future show exploring some of Dvorak’s musical fairy tales such as the “Water Goblin.”

I would recommend doing an episode on Kodaly’s Hary Janos suite or Hayden’s 55th symphony

I love this podcast - the host is passionate about music, is insanely knowledgable about it as a musician, conductor, and musicologist, and whether it’s with pieces I’ve known all my life or pieces I don’t know and have never been drawn to, his enthusiasm is infectious. Wondferul. Thank you.

Don’t worry, your phone is not set to 1.25 or 1.5 or even 2x faster. That’s just the way he zips through words. For real, check out the speed of “Shostakovich.” It’s a land speed record.

i’m a teenage girl and this is actually my favorite thing ever i listen to this podcast all the time, i just finished listening to shostakovich quartet no. 8 and it was so interesting and beautiful and amazing omg i love this so much thank you for creating this masterpiece 😍😍😍

It’s fantastic that this podcast exists: it makes classical music fun and accessible, and provides real insight into the pieces.

This was exactly what I was looking for after listening to the Apple podcast on the history of classical. This podcast goes deeper into specific pieces and topics - really making me appreciate music more.

This wonderful podcast is the reincarnation I have been seeking of the great old radio program “Adventures in Good Music,” and Joshua Weilerstein is a latter-day Karl Haas. “Adventures in Good Music” lured me into a life in music when I was a teenager, and now that I’m decades into my musical career, “Sticky Notes” is bringing back some of the sense of wonder, discovery, and rapture that I felt as a kid. Thank you so much, Joshua, for this gift—I think it will keep me sane for the next four years.

This podcast is a complete delivery on what a classical podcast should be. It’s informative, clever, and the music is extremely well chosen. Would give 20 stars if I could, every episode is a gem. I suspect that Joshua does it simply for the love of the game as well, which makes it all the more meaningful. Have been listening for years, and do not plan to stop.

I listened to the two part episodes on the Schubert piano Sonata, and then the next night went to hear Paul Lewis play the last three sonatas. My listening and enjoyment were enhanced significantly by listening to the two podcasts . Sticky notes remains my very favorite music based podcast

Really really enjoyed the Beethoven’s 5th episode! My only quibble- I don’t think anyone needs to hear the first eight notes to recognize the music. The first four’ll do it. Esp since (to my musically challenged ears) they seem to be a repeat.

This show is exactly what classical music needs.

I would like you to do a episode on the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1

Love it! So insightful and detailed

I truly appreciate the work the podcaster has put into this episode. Using original recordings to demonstrate the birth of the blues teaches you what the composer had around him in his time. The explanation of each movement drew your ear to listen. Having the podcaster’s use of a recording in which he conducted the work was icing on the cake.

An insightful, entertaining, and educational podcast that provides wonderful insights into some of the world’s best musical composers and performers. Thank you , Joshua, for your insights and knowledge and for introducing me to some composers and/or works I have not had the opportunity to encounter before. I particularly loved the episode on the Afro American Symphony and the additional insights provided by John McWhorter. Simply marvelous!!

Informative and beautifully presented. Please continue!

I used to like this podcast until the host decided to go political. I don’t listen to a podcast about classical music for the political view of the host. Why alienate half of your audience?

I went looking for a podcast of classical music, and was surprised and delighted to find a podcast commenting on classical music. It’s educational in the best way, fun and humorous.

Three stars because I loved this show. Then they decided to get involved in political fundraising. I appreciate the honesty but, unfortunately, no account was taken for all the musicians who are not far left.

I love this podcast, however, the word “folk”, contains a silent “L”, like the silent “T” in the word “often”.

Previously I gave this podcast 5 stars. Since Weilerstein has started using it to promote political candidates, I have to lower the rating.

What a fun podcast for music lovers! I just discovered this podcast todqay and have been glued to my computer listening to Josh's commentary. I will love loading a bunch of shows and listening tothem on long car trips.

Listened to every episode!

It is such a fun to have Joshua Weilerstein as your interlocutor, although he does all the talking. His choice of music is quite interesting and analyses are very informative. Shows on Bartok and Shostakovich were outstanding. Surprisingly, I also learned a lot from his “Something“ in 60 minutes shows. I was so lucky to stumble on this podcast. The latest podcasts on Schubert’s last piano sonata and on music of Lili Boulanger were done with moving affection to this great and under appreciated in the case of Boulanger music. Victor R.

Enjoy this show immensely

I love this podcast, as a music major this has helped me a lot!

Intelligent, trenchant guide to the world of classical music. A must-listen for all lovers of music.

This and Aria Code are my 2 favorites!

Thanks so Much Joshua!

One of the most exquisite show!! Every episode is extremely well thought-out and executed. I treasure this show like exquisite treats.

Absolutely love the content and flow of this podcast. Brilliant!!

I use the search feature in my phone's podcast app to look for composers and pieces that Joshua might have covered before going out to concerts … VERY ENLIGHTENING!

These present clear, in-depth discussions of well-chosen pieces from (mostly) classical music. The musical sections highlight the discussion well- I always want to go hear the full piece when I finish with the podcast. The presentations are simple enough for those with little music training and deep enough to hold the attention of those with experience. It is easy to see why Mr. Weilerstein is doing well as a conductor!

What superlatives can I use to describe this podcast: THE BEST if you love or want to learn more about classical music: Tip-Top

Fantastic show. Thanks for this gift to music lovers.

The Copland episode was my intro. Fun listen for a long time string player.

Insightful, interesting, and well paced discussion of wonderful pieces I would love to hear an episode on Michael Haydn’s Requiem some time.

Not since Karl Haas’ Adventures in Good Music, have I enjoyed a classical music program like Joshua Weilerstein’s Sticky Notes. Sticky Notes energetically and intelligently focuses on explaining both the history and mechanics of particular pieces. Weilerstein has also created excellent shows on broader topics, most recently Klezmer and Modes. Haas is smiling down from Heaven.

Fantastic show. Thank you for sharing!!

The narratives behind the music that Joshua presents are so compelling (and so well written) that no one could hear these podcasts and claim classical music is boring! Thank you for inspiring this amateur pianist to get back to the keyboard.