American Public Media to launch Decomposed - a new podcast exploring the daring acts and surprising inspirations of famous composers

St Paul MI, USA—Concert pianist and world-class storyteller Jade Simmons, pictured above, will explore some of the most captivating aspects of the lives of classical composers as host of American Public Media’s new weekly podcast, Decomposed, launching April 16.

While the work of these composers is well known even centuries later, their personal stories have often turned into footnotes. Simmons will bring fascinating elements of classical music history to life for longtime fans as well as new listeners. The composer’s stories are woven together with the symphonies, operas and other masterpieces that they inspired.

Listen to a trailer of Decomposed and subscribe here.

By emphasizing the personal struggles of revered composers, Simmons hopes to connect audiences to the humanity of classical music. Episodes will take listeners all the way from concert halls with composers donning powdered wigs to Cold War propaganda, showcasing the wide reach of this musical genre.

“As I do with my own concert experiences, I would hope Decomposed attracts new ears while reintroducing connoisseurs to composers they thought they knew,” Simmons said. “Nothing to me is more fascinating than the people behind the music, and the circumstances in their lives that caused the incredible music we know and love to come into existence. Decomposed will shed light on those most powerful moments.”

Simmons has been nicknamed “Classical Music’s #1 Maverick” for her habit of blending music, real time innovation and motivation. She has quickly become the face that represents the relevance of classical music while pushing the boundaries of its presentation. As a world- renowned concert artist, keynote speaker, best-selling author and multimedia personality, Simmons is a fascinating and passionate storyteller with a strong understanding of classical music’s roots.

Decomposed is made possible by Inspired by You, MPR’s capital campaign and the generosity of Ruth and John Huss. It is produced in partnership with Classical Minnesota Public Radio.

Listeners can find Decomposed on Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. Connect with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About American Public Media

American Public Media® is the national programming division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches 20 million listeners via approximately 1,000 radio stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org. Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘18. Data are estimates only.