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The Well-Tempered Cast

The Well-Tempered Cast

Written by: Nenad Leonart
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About this listen

"The Well-Tempered Cast" (WTC), hosted by harpsichordist and historical organist Nenad Leonart, is a deep dive into the world of Historically Informed Performance (HIP) and a light-hearted homage to Johann Sebastian Bach – the one musician seeking to understand everything to its foundation and complete all form of music. This podcast celebrates the art and scholarship behind early music and attempts to offer a gateway into the exciting universe of baroque music and its historical keyboard instruments.



The "Why"



  • Preserving Historical Music: The podcast seeks to honor and preserve the authentic traditions and sounds of early music, ensuring that the true intentions of baroque composers resonate with contemporary audiences.
  • Bridging Eras: It aims to create a bridge between historical music practices and modern understanding, inviting both enthusiasts and curious newcomers to explore the richness of the baroque period.
  • Key to the Essence: The WTC seeks to uncover the truth behind early music by exploring the specific intentions of composers and the archetypical structures within their works, revealing a profound connection between true craftsmanship and the human spirit.



The "What"



  • Exploration of Historical Instruments: Episodes feature in-depth discussions on the design, mechanics, and unique sounds of instruments like the harpsichord, organ, clavichord, virginal, and the differences among unique national styles as well as epoques.
  • Insights into Performance Practice: Nenad and his guests delve into the nuances of authentic playing techniques, discerning different probabilities, and shedding light on how baroque composers intended their works to be performed.
  • Historical Context: The podcast provides listeners with a glimpse into the lives, philosophies, and creative processes of composers like Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, and their contemporaries.
  • Craftsmanship and Innovation: Expert luthiers and instrument builders join the conversation to share the artistry behind constructing and restoring historical keyboards. New technology helps to analyze and recreate historical instruments with unprecedented precision, enabling researchers to uncover hidden details about their construction and acoustics.




The "How"



  • Engaging Storytelling: Nenad narrates episodes with passion and clarity, blending technical knowledge with anecdotes and cultural insights to make the content accessible.
  • Guest Experts: Each episode features guest performers, scholars, or instrument makers who bring specialized knowledge and vibrant discussions to the table.
  • Audio Enrichment: High-quality recordings of performances on historical keyboards are interwoven throughout the episodes, immersing listeners in the soundscapes of the past.
  • Interactive Community: The podcast encourages listener engagement through Q&A sessions, social media interactions, and opportunities to share their own experiences with baroque music.


If you’re captivated by the magic of historical music and the stories behind the instruments that shaped it, don’t miss a single episode of "The Well-Tempered Cast." Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform, and leave a review to let us know your thoughts. Share the journey with fellow music lovers by liking and following us on social media. Your support keeps the music alive!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nenad Leonart
Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Music
Episodes
  • How the Baroque Worldview Influences Today's Art and Music
    Mar 26 2025

    Enjoy Part 4 of the "Baroque Worldview" Mini-Series on this podcast. Today, we're unraveling the last mysteries of the Baroque Life, which apparently shaped today's culture more than we ever expected!


    So, let's dive deep into the captivating realm of Baroque music and society with Nenad Leonhart in this final episode of our enlightening four-part series. Have you ever wondered how the people of the Baroque era perceived their world, crafted their art, and expressed their emotions through music? Join us as we unravel the complex fabric of Baroque life, exploring everything from the everyday challenges of the time to the intricate relationship between art, culture, and spirituality.


    In this episode, we’ll explore crucial topics like the influence of guilds on craftsmanship, the impact of superstition and mysticism on daily life, and how the divine right of kings shaped societal structures. Discover how the echoes of the past resonate in today’s music and art, challenging us to reflect on our own living conditions compared to those of the past.


    Whether you’re a seasoned musician, a lover of Baroque art, or just curious about music history, this episode promises valuable insights into the Baroque worldview and its enduring legacy. From the elaborate craftsmanship of harpsichords to the philosophical shifts leading to the Enlightenment, we continue our journey of discovery through the enchanting and complex world of Baroque society.


    Tune in for this fascinating exploration and broaden your understanding of the Baroque era. Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments below; we appreciate your feedback and ideas for future episodes!


    **Keywords:** baroque music, historical performance, historical keyboard instruments, Baroque era, Baroque podcast, Nenad Leonhart, Well-Tempered Cast, harpsichord, musical heritage, Baroque worldview, Baroque art, Baroque society, Baroque technology, classical music, music history, art history, music education, Baroque architecture, cultural podcast, music and science.


    Join us, subscribe, and prepare to be transported back in time!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    44 mins
  • Death and Art: Baroque Culture (10 Key Elements)
    Feb 12 2025

    🎶 Dive into the intricate world of Baroque music like never before! 🎶 In this episode of **The Well-Tempered Cast**, your harpsichord guide Nenad Leonart unveils the fascinating layers of culture, music, and philosophy that shaped the Baroque era. Ever wonder what it was really like to compose under the watchful eye of a monarch? Or how preoccupations with death and the afterlife influenced the vibrant art of the time?


    Join us as we explore **cultural work in the Baroque era**, tracing the emotional threads that connect us to the past. From the struggles of daily life to the rigid social hierarchies, uncover how these elements not only impacted Baroque composers like **Johann Sebastian Bach** but also reflected broader societal views.


    In this third episode of our four-part series, we delve into **Baroque culture and its work**, capturing the essence of a time rich in artistic innovation yet tangled in the complexities of existence. You'll learn about pivotal concepts like *memento mori* and how the cultural landscape was forever altered by the patrons of the arts.


    Whether you're a classical music enthusiast, a lover of history, or simply curious about the Baroque lifestyle, you'll find something to captivate your imagination. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Join the conversation in the comments and let us know your thoughts on the relationship between art and mortality in the Baroque period.


    🔊 **Tune in for this enlightening journey into Baroque music interpretation, the art of listening, and historical performance practice!**


    🖼️ **Explore Baroque life with us—your next fascinating learning experience awaits!** 🎻


    **Episode Summary**:

    - The episode discusses the realities of life in the Baroque era, focusing on aspects of culture and work.

    - **Series Overview**: Part of a four-part series about Baroque life, with previous episodes covering daily life and technological/scientific advancements.

    - **Main Themes**:

    - **Preoccupation with Death**: Baroque culture's intense focus on death and the afterlife, influenced by war, disease, and high mortality rates.

    - **Clothing and Manners**: Fashion signified social status, with strict societal norms dictating behavior and dress.

    - **Social Inequality**: Strong class distinctions, reflected even in the music's rhythmic and harmonic structures.

    - **Manual Labor**: Most people engaged in physical jobs; leisure and culture were rare and often linked to the church and community events.

    - **Musical Instruments**: Handmade and highly individual, reflecting non-standardized designs and soundscapes.

    - **Lack of Recorded Music**: Preservation of music hinged on labor-intensive sheet music copying; cultural exchange was limited without recordings.

    - **Emergence of Public Theaters**: Marked a cultural shift, especially in cities like Hamburg and London, with opera becoming more accessible.

    - **Patronage System**: Artists depended on commissions from the nobility; taste of patrons heavily influenced artistic output.

    - **French Cultural Influence**: Louis XIV’s patronage shaped European art; artists had to stay informed of dominant trends.

    - **Peace and Political Navigation**: Identifying with particular cultural styles or rulers had political and cultural implications amidst ongoing conflicts.


    - **Purpose**: Nenad aims to help listeners appreciate Baroque music and culture by understanding its historical context, fostering a deeper connection with the era’s art and societal norms.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    59 mins
  • 10 Amazing Facts About Tech & Science in the Baroque Era
    Feb 5 2025

    Step into the fascinating world of the Baroque era as we explore its music, science, and daily life in this new episode of The Well-Tempered Cast!


    Are you curious about how people thought, lived, and experienced music in a time where the relationship to sound was profoundly different from today’s fast-paced digital world? Join me, your harpsichordist and your guide, Nenad Leonart, as we delve deep into the heart of Baroque society in part two of our four-part series dedicated to time travel through this remarkable period.


    Welcome to the Time Travel Part 2 {10 Realities of the Baroque} about Technology & Science! [The Well-Tempered Cast Podcast]


    In this episode, we explore the profound impact of technology and science on Baroque life, linking giants like Galileo, Kepler, and Newton to the musical practices that defined an era. With enlightening discussions about the limitations of knowledge and communication, discover how the invention of the printing press paved the way for music distribution, and how the lack of electricity shaped daily routines and learning methods. We shed light on how beliefs about music once intertwined with astronomy, philosophy, and even medicine, painting a vivid picture of life several centuries ago.


    Prepare for a thought-provoking journey that bridges music history with the scientific revolution, exposing how the past informs our present experience of art and knowledge. If you've ever wondered how artistic and scientific inquiries intersect, or how societal beliefs shaped the music we cherish today, this episode reveals it all.


    Don't miss out on the captivating stories, intriguing insights, and meaningful reflections that may just change the way you perceive music, history, and the interconnectedness of life's disciplines. Comment below with your thoughts and what interests you most about the Baroque era!


    Subscribe for more deep dives into Baroque music, historical keyboard instruments, and the societal contexts they were born from. Hit the bell icon so you never miss an episode!


    Join us as we embark on this enlightening exploration of the Baroque world's vibrant and sometimes perplexing realities!


    - **Podcast Name**: The Well-Tempered Cast

    - **Host**: Nenad Leonart

    - **Episode Topic**: Technology and Science in the Baroque Era (Part 2 of a four-part series on time travel into the Baroque era)

    - **Overview**:

    - Exploration of the Baroque era's approach to technology and science, highlighting the differences between past and present.

    - Examination of scientific revolution during the Baroque era, including figures like Galileo, Kepler, and Newton.

    - Discussion on how science was interconnected with music, viewing music as a science tied to mathematics, astronomy, and more.

    - Overview of societal constraints on scientific inquiry and freedom of speech during the Baroque era.

    - Importance of the printing press in spreading knowledge during the Baroque period, despite its rarity and expense.

    - Challenges of lack of electricity and limited medical knowledge in everyday life.

    - Education and scientific knowledge being reserved for the elite and its impact on society.

    - Slow transport and manual communication impacting cultural exchange and information flow.

    - Insight into how limited information in the Baroque era led to deep focus and interconnectedness in creative works like music and art.

    - Final thoughts on understanding history to avoid repeating past mistakes and inform future progress.


    #BaroqueMusic #HistoricalKeyboardInstruments #HistoricallyInformedPerformance #BaroqueEra #NenadLeonart #Harpsichordist #JohannSebastianBach #BaroqueTechnology #BaroqueScience #ScientificRevolution #MusicHistory #BaroqueDailyLife

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    51 mins
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