The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenJed takes a deep dive into Deutsche Grammophon's Friedrich Gulda Edition, which encompasses 84 CDs devoted to the pianist's complete recordings for labels controlled by Universal Music, plus some bonus DVDs. Gulda was one of the 20th century's most fascinating, multi-talented, confrontational and boundary-breaking musicians, who embraced both classical and jazz idioms with equal fervency and commitment. How has this immense recorded legacy stood the test of time? Listen and find out!Here are links to selected recordings featured in the box:Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major (“Waldstein”) – first movement (Amadeo recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyjnWqxL2CQChopin: Preludes Op. 28 (live Deustche Grammophon recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRB23YrsTo4&list=PLnXTfjAd4PkepKFUVDOOSq_6XNxsJqqwgDebussy: Suite bergamasque - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XDi-UHyDKYGulda: Suite 1962 (jazz trio) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNUwT8Adf6I

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven Morton Feldman's hypnotically absorbing Triadic Memories has fare well on disc, and to mark the composer's centenary, Jed explores several catalog options.Here are links to the recordings discussed:Roger Woodward - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM2_Vow5mms&list=PLbG9xmYd3shTK3wbQlBZaXI-_QNIsYP8aAki Takahashi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3R8gU-BBnQStefan Schleiermacher - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvjXWa-pl30Marilyn Nonken (the opening of her Mode Records recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbhkaCvPl_wJohn Tilbury - https://www.ebay.com/itm/226501263349John Tilbury (live recording) - https://www.jtilbury.com/Sabine Liebner – (beginning) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b05nkvU-bFo; (conclusion) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3blAgt09ow0

If you search for piano recordings via downloading and streaming platforms, you may encounter the name Claudio Colombo, who has seemingly recorded everything ever written for the piano, and for the harpsichord as well. Or has he? Just what is this all about? Jed tries to find out for himself on this episode.Some examples:Clementi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMAOTrCTYT4&list=PLjQOybcDkZBMDEqcph3Os-Tixbl4v4MxOBrahms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmVCcXY0XbgSchubert for Clarinet and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWD-wdgtfGo&list=PL-fcrLIr4hrfEQyfBQld3JOzFtRqjQEgkMussorgsky for Flute and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EATbUF90yoBrahms Violin Sonata No. 1 "arranged" for Clarinet and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE8UR7iQl3YConsider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven

Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op. 58 may be the most frequently recorded among all of the Romantic piano sonatas, and Jed has his hands full on a lengthy episode that explores this work's rich discography. Here are links to several of the recordings discussed:Moriz Rosenthal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn4SmBSoG_IAlfred Cortot (1933 recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EWRIOvTK0wPercy Grainger (4th movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qW371IdjiANadia Reisenberg (1st movement) - https://open.spotify.com/track/6Tq1qt6U0KIRveEnf6Z2Z0Claudio Arrau - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1JousWsVYIWitold Malcuzynski (3rd & 4th movements) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC_XCvBfGrEMartha Argerich (4th movement DG) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMC3yToYuFAIsaac Mikhnovsky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-nzZs_ZwI&t=9sVan Cliburn (1st movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsWNx-0h298Bruce Hungerford (1st movement_ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvwHk1FeZMwBruno Leonardo-Gelber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o841NQu6weg&t=563sRuth Slenczynska (4th movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsQC7vh5wOIJakob Kuszlik - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIFNr2f8fEsNelson Freire (1st movement, Columbia 1968) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15QCHMHhXW4Nelson Freire (1st movement, Decca 2002) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cg0loc9vIsNelson Freire (live 2016) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-Crrv1J34&t=1160sNelson Freire (live 2002) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IVT9EaUbyI&t=1243s

A rebroadcast of Episode 20 from Season 1, where Jed discusses complete cycles of the Chopin Etudes on record. If you enjoy this rebroadcast, please consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven Link to Jed's Gramophone Collection Chopin Etudes Survey: https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/chopin-s-etudes-a-deep-dive-into-the-best-recordingsLinks to selected recordings:1. https://musicandarts.com/product/zayas-plays-chopin-12-a%C2%89tudes-op-10-12-a%C2%89tudes-op-25-trois-nouvelles-a%C2%89tudes-juana-zayas-pianist/2. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9264484--cziffra-plays-chopin3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl-WVW02GBg4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4aeV1_Fhgc

A rebroadcast of Episode 23 from Season 2, where Jed discusses fifteen favorite recordings of Beethoven's last and largest piano work, the Variations on a Theme of Diabelli Op. 120.If you enjoy this special extended episode, please making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenLink to Jed's 2015 Gramophone survey of the Diabellis on record: https://reader.exacteditions.com/issues/45340/page/118?term=distler%20diabelli Link to an LP transfer of Charles Rosen's recording: https://archive.org/details/01diabellivariations120A taste of Martino Tirimo's recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPxsk63yhWcA taste of Cecile Ouuset's recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rwwCou7OyADownload Olli Mustonen's recording: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7934860--beethoven-diabelli-variations-op-120?srsltid=AfmBOoo9TGZRcrhgz5R5_dw1J1E-JUCosDoaSFnujaaabvWhaeN2djznPaul Baumgartner's recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATxBzzFNvSU

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven Link to Yunchan Lim's Official Goldberg Variations Aria Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYfmj3L2EA&list=RDseYfmj3L2EA&start_radio=1Other recordings mentioned in this episode:Lori Sims Promo Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOp_QE4-JYcKlara Wurtz (complete recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCae2ZDcfi8Alexandra Papastefanou (Variation 1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duOTs7v9FaM&list=PL2TwZLoz4m4uJk9diP_73Mlnrvuq2I0ahMurray Perahia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBFRBWEuP0w&list=OLAK5uy_mUzRzgAFefvXjhs2oep2psqlNXVQltcK8

I;m launching a multi-episode discographical exploration of Messiaen's monumental piano cycle Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jésus, starting with four recordings dating from the late 60s through the late 80s. So sorry that I kept pronouncing the pianist's name "Jean Rudolphe," when it's obviously "Jean-Rodolphe." My apologies!!!!!Here are audio samples from the recordings under discussion:Michel Béroff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvd2zGk11icPeter Serkin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlgD6cLyvj4Anton Batagov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30qcHdxnDREJean-Rodolphe Kars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Vk7uRR0_Q&list=PLT7y1WItbPC5kkvWEj0wnAACsYsPzBYwg

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven Here are recommendations for three recent releases devoted to the Five Beethoven Piano Concertos:Inon Barnatan – Concerto No. 1 Third Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jfAI0ZRGcsGarrick Ohlsson – Concerto No. 5 First Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=729a99oqRBw&list=PL44gxJwuwoaZWuiR72s4g7Xj6gEHxA2HB&index=13Haochen Zhang – Concerto No. 4 Second Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb9VEL3poPY&list=PLuUMeVsvQwwF0mDUPSEZlbRsC_5iZDGkB&index=13

Jed talks about Krystian Zimerman's Deutsche Grammophon recordings of Schubert's Piano Sonatas in A Major D. 959 and B-Flat Major D. 960Links to selected movements are here:D. 959 – II. Allegretto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fubKC4TNi2g&list=PLsUQ1iTYBB1W0lEePuydi5ytSzbgscj3k&index=2D. 960 – IV. Allegro ma non troppo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8WNaFz_F0UConsider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenJed talks about Ingrid Fliter's first volume of Chopin Mazurkas on the Outhere label. Here's a link to her performance of the C Major Mazurka Op. 24 No. 2:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQ_TktdZeA

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven This episode focuses upon seven highly distinctive all-Liszt recitals that surely will enhance any piano collection. Here are links to sample selections:1. Claudio Arrau - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nMR83ly5GU2. Minoru Nojima - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3SoQ5-LCLI&list=PLrpUfzCDMUy106Wd9zufyedpnTFTXBt7u3. Sandrine Erdely-Sayo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpYnmxKTBJA4. Earl Wild - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvo8lJ1GOdA5. Arnaldo Cohen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFmsjoKSU0k6. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLoNn-I5JJg7. Vladimir Ashkenazy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX0vjDUPF_k

Jed discusses a terrific all-Schubert release from the Prague Piano Duo. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_yu59RaaAY&list=OLAK5uy_nbCOUfqIFHKJwhOEzQaxNWFor_PIZM7nwBandcamp link: https://praguepianoduo.bandcamp.com/

Welcome to our second episode of Season Three.Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven A listener asked me about Sviatoslav Richter's August 26th 1977 Salzburg Festival recital issued on the Orfeo label. I hadn't heard this disc in a while, so I decided to revisit it. Here's a link to the music:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0_PSRycUck&list=PLFer8UZgtB8JaLO0P43YDjLAfeB9sFqv6

Welcome to our first episode of Season Three! Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven Chopin's Barcarolle is the topic of this episode, where Jed recommends some of his long-time favorite recordings. Here are links to recordings discussed: Alfred Cortot – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhHWqVvPrgBenno Moiseiwitsch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sEf08rtl8oWalter Gieseking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEXhUzGEwj8Wilhelm Kempff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLjXQslVQcDinu Lipatti - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG5nREXB3agVladimir Horowitz (1957) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhzN8lSvitsVladimir Horowitz (1980) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a79dAwTMWvUIvan Moravec - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJk9J-KAI-cMurray Perahia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIwC-Qire0wKrystian Zimerman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cv7diE0ZMcRichard Goode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7bM0DYjikBenjamin Grosvenor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-R0YOlZdRoRoland Pöntinen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQKgok39lKkArthur Rubinstein (1964) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hTIzGlfOJ0

"Vladimir Horowitz Plays Great Sonatas" is culled from the legendary virtuoso's Columbia Masterworks and RCA Victor catalogs, and features selections ranging from the Baroque era to mid-20th century works that are strongly identified with the pianist. Although most of the performances can easily be sourced outside of this collection, piano mavens still will want to know about this ten-disc set, which can be obtained from second-hand dealers: https://www.amazon.com/Vladimir-Horowitz-Plays-Great-Sonata/dp/B0056K4V2M

A look back at the Winter 1999 issue of International Piano Quarterly (now International Piano), when twelve critics were asked to pick their top piano releases for 1998, as well as to mention recordings they'd like to see reissued. How many of these reissue requests came to pass over the next 27 years? And have their 1998 top release choices stood the test of time?Here are links to some of the recordings discussed:The William Kapell Edition - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8079691--william-kapell-editionMedtner – Complete Piano Sonatas, with Marc-André Hamelin - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7945019--medtner-the-complete-piano-sonatasMonique de La Bruchollerie box from Meloclassic - https://www.meloclassic.com/home/monique-de-la-bruchollerie-box/Benno Moiseiwitsch is amply represented in Naxos' Great Pianists' series - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7948359--great-pianists-moiseiwitsch-2Lukas Foss plays Bach Concertos Nos. 1 & 5 (LP transfer) - https://archive.org/details/lp_concerto-no-1-in-d-minor-concerto-no-5-in_johann-sebastian-bach-lukas-foss-the-zimblInternational Tchaikovsky Competition Vol. 1 – Vladimir Ashkenazy & John Ogdon - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8253856--tchaikovsky-competition-vol-1-1962-the-competition-that-was-a-draw

An adventurous six-CD box set containing original piano works by Beethoven, plus chamber and orchestral repertoire in rare solo piano transcriptions, all brilliantly served up by Cyprien Katsaris.Link to the recordings: https://www.amazon.com/Chronological-Odyssey-Cyprien-Katsaris/dp/B081WQS75L

Here's a rebroadcast of Season Two Episode 60:Jed discusses four out-of-print piano box sets that are ripe for reissue:Milosz Magin plays Chopin (Accord, 10 CDs). A link to his Etudes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzArJYgJqdEAnnerose Schmidt plays Mozart's Complete Piano Concertos (Berlin Classics, 10 CDs). Link to purchase - https://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Piano-Concertos-Wolfgang-Amadeus/dp/B0036ULAY6France Clidat plays Liszt (Decca, 14 CDs). Link to listen to Hungarian Rhapsodies No.s 1-10 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afo2NTiZz2YRaymond Trouard: Une vie pour le piano (Sony Classical, 11 CDs). Links to purchase - https://www.ebay.com/itm/115569835636, https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-Trouard-Une-Pour-Piano/dp/B0017YZIIW. Link to Grieg Concerto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVYdTY_uxM

Jed discusses Claudio Arrau: The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals, Pasadena, California, USA, 1977, 1981 and 1986 - a five CD set containing previously unpublished performances by one of the 20th century's most singular pianists. For more information, visit First Hand's website: https://firsthandrecords.com/products-page/album/claudio-arrau-the-ambassador-auditorium-recitals-pasadena-california-usa-1977-1982-1986-5cd/

Here is yet another list of ten piano box sets that Jed would like to see released in the future, although whether or not his wish will come true is an open question! Pianists discussed include Gina Bachauer, Tamas Vasary, Rafael Orozco, Bruce Hungerford, Rudolf Firkusny, Sequeira Costas, Cyprien Katsaris and a special edition of piano recordings issued in the 1950s by the American M-G-M label.Links to earlier Box Set Wish List episodes:https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven/1789163/https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven/2027603/Link to “Ripe for Reissue” Box Set Episode:https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven/2029278/

Jed talks about recordings of Rachmaninov's Four Concertos and Paganini Rhapsody that fall “under the radar" according to him, yet have great value and interest. Here are links to the pianists and their interpretations:Concerto No. 1: Tamas Vasary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRvbD20edYU&list=PLyrANGPNARULY0PWEc0R3HuZNfRP2oD9L&index=1Concerto No. 2: Julius Katchen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Evhp3hO1U&list=PLJhYe4hsVJRdwFJnYM10LPS21E4A21ZVB&index=3Concerto No. 3: Mirka Pokorná - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3wBB_v5fskConcerto No. 4: Idil Biret - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ya80wfAbgPaganini Rhapsody: Yevgeny Sudbin (live performance) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxiiWDxo1JQ

By request, a rebroadcast of 2024's Thanksgiving "Turkeys" episode! Here are some genuine piano "turkeys" to consider, or perhaps to avoid, with links below:For Valery Afanassiev's Beethoven, check out Victor Carr, Jr.'s review: https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-11451/. For commentary about Rita Bouboulidi's Beethoven Sonata cycle, visit this link: https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?topic=23626.0

Jed discusses Arcadi Volodos' 2009 Vienna Recital released by Sony Classical, one of this pianist's finest recordings:Excerpts:Scriabin Prelude Op. 11 No. 16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m0hFO3yvyALiszt Dante Sonata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZYJvX8Ruck

Jed recommends documentaries about legendary American pianists Malcolm Frager and John Browning. Link to watch Malcolm Frager: American Pianist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q-cx_lJNWcLink to watch Memories of John Browning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tqt112TlE

Jed recommends individual recordings for each one of Debussy's twelve Preludes Book I, picking twelve pianists without repeating a pianist. Here are links to listen to, to download, to stream or to purchase these performances:No. 1 Catherine Kautsky - https://music.apple.com/us/album/debussy-pr%C3%A9ludes-for-piano/905973751No. 2 Philippe Cassard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHIwKlPewVgNo. 3 Alfred Cortot – (1931 recording) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZVy_6T86bINo 4 Catherine Collard - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9592584--debussy-preludes-books-1-2?srsltid=AfmBOoqOKz2MWmGhobWiohTCz2e6tCSL7x7cUJlV3vlSd8xq6bEMnzjZNo 5 Livia Rev - https://www.ebay.com/itm/402637135496?hash=item5dbf0b1e88:g:RzcAAOSw3KZdGgswNo. 6 Ivan Moravec - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoGAZxklQJINo. 7 Pascal Roge - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgxsWjzaZ60No. 8 Jean-Yves Thibaudet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0e1bJ0gVV0No. 9 Nelson Freire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGP98I9pmvcNo. 10 Claudio Arrau - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Shy_JWQ8kNo. 11 Steven Spooner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icu2ROCvUt8No. 12 Henriette Faure - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyrIhbiLGIc&t=6s

Jed discusses Jorge Bolet's August 4th 1964 Tangelwood recital, which featured a stunning performance of Liszt's Twelve Transcendental Etudes. Here's a link to hear the recital:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvJo1ciAq3M&t=2021sConsider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven

Jed recommends Paolo Bordoni's delightful survey of each and every Waltz that Schubert composed for solo piano, once available from EMIHere's a link to the pianist's rare EMI recording of Schubert's "Unfinished" Sonata in C Major D. 840:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bXlwC8Lf68

Jed discusses Czech pianist Stanislav Knor (1929-1984) and his early 1960s recording of the Chopin Scherzos, available to download here:https://archive.org/details/fbgsfAnd here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdSRZ_yOL7E&t=1890s

We continue rebroadcasting earlier Chopin-centered episodes of The Piano Maven with Jed Distler, this time with six recommended cycles of the complete Nocturnes.Here are some relevant links:Jan Smeterlin Op. 48 No. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lssPl98jDkMoura Lympany link: https://www.classicstoday.com/review/sublime-sounds-sacred-space/Stephen Hough link to Hyperion video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqD7AHQAKykIvan Moravec plays Chopin Op. 48 No. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BaLVjoLUAQ

Continuing our rebroadcasts of selected Piano Maven episodes centered around Chopin, here's Jed's evaluation of a genuine download bargain.Here's a link to purchase and download Bach Guild's Big Chopin Box here: https://www.classicselectworld.com/products/big-chopin-box-7-hour-digital-download-boxed-set?_pos=1&_sid=598a0a1ad&_ss=rConsider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/..., which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven

To mark Eric Lu's first prize victory in the 19th Warsaw International Chopin Competition, I'm offering a rebroadcast of my episode about the pianist's July 2nd 2022 recital in Leipzig, which included Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 – here's a link to listen:https://archive.org/details/3_20240904_20240904_1534 And here's a link to purchase his Warner solo debut CD –https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8732850--chopin-preludes-op-28-schumann-ghost-variationsConsider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/..., which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven

As we decompress from the 19th International Chopin Competition, my 100th episode in this second season of The Piano Maven podcast rebroadcast will be a repeat of the 2024 episode where I compare Arthur Rubinstein's three integral edition of the Chopin Mazurkas.Here are download links for all three cycles: 1. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8079160--rubinstein-collection-vol-6-chopin-mazurkas-scherzos; 2. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8079130--rubinstein-collection-vol-27-chopin-mazurkas-impromptus; 3. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7933105--rubinstein-collection-vol-50-chopin-51-mazurkas

On this episode, Jed offers a list of both historic and modern recommendations for each major Chopin work or cycle of works, without repeating a pianist.Here are selected links to some of the recordings that Jed discusses:Poloniases – Maurizio Pollini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-OK5a1h07s&list=PLC3ZgwGAh0c9yect11lXvWOIhHs8vRjUOPoloniase Op. 26 No. 1 - Arthur Rubinstein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVaLArwr80Etudes – Paul Badura-Skoda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2n7NMgzjwY&list=PL4D14bmfCxVVkhor7FZs6mJeC9n_854gHFantasy in F Minor Op. 49 – Solomon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTY5CybIEaABarcarolle Op. 60 – Richard Goode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL7bM0DYjikPiano Sonata No. 2 Op. 25 – Sergei Rachmaninov: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrQG-Z5gdfgPiano Sonata No. 3 Op. 58, 4. Finale – Percy Grainger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE_ftBizu0EPreludes Op 28 – Alfred Cortot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J1R6Bpo-CQScherzo No. 1 in B Minor Op. 20 – Benjamin Grosvenor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XFdKFWJ618

Jed Distler is in Warsaw as official Gramophone blogger for the 19th International Chopin Competition, as well as hosting a daily video "Chopin Report" Here are links to five performances that Jed considers special:Yanyan Boa - Ballade No. 4 in F Minor Op. 52 (at 37:21, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjQQa0YtGq0)Pedro Lopez Salas - Nocturne in E Major Op. 62 No. 2 (at 00:02, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ0ZwM7Hz4Y&t=1151s)Kevin Chen - Etudes Op. 10 (at 15:14, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsaCHVBpGvI)Shiori Kuwahara - Polonaise in A-Flat Major Op. 53 (at 38:23, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq02Z3Pvz_g)WIlliam Yang - Andante Spianato ed Grande Polonaise Op. 22 (at 21:14, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kcv0suUQNYQ)Here are video links to Jed's first four episodes of The Chopin Report:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kPMJ9wvmTc&t=69shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDkPdla2xAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh0MeCpROVQ&t=17shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE9llDb71HM

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenTying in with Jed's live onsite coverage of the 19th Warsaw International Piano Competition this month, all of October's episodes are devoted to recordings of Chopin's music. On this episode, Jed discusses Deutsche Grammophon's 2021 box set reissue The Chopin Masters, featuring 28 CDs with 28 pianists.Here are links to some of the performers and performances covered:The original DG YouTube promotional trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2oBU-hb2KARoberto Szidon plays Scherzo No. 3 in C-Sharp Minor Op. 39 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKIRQBFB2_MAdam Harasiewicz plays Ballade No. 1 in G Minor Op. 23 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAsOmf3EWeIFou Ts'ong plays Mazurka in B-Flat Minor Op. 24 No. 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m81GFTfo3FkVladimir Ashkenazy plays Scherzo No. 4 in E Major Op. 54 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olKoS6Q1AM4Shura Cherkassky plays Polonaise-Fantasie in A-Flat Major Op. 61 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lzfx2n6iCIArturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays Prelude in C-Sharp Minor Op. 45 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHbxF0SP8Bg

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenOur third and final three episode covering complete Chopin Mazurka Cycles on disc, along with significant releases featuring selections from the Mazurkas. Here are links to some of the recordings that Jed discusses:Ignaz Friedman - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_-zrhZVF69NS5DXmagEMV6uoRw2X2SXUMaryla Jonas plays Op. 17 No. 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF91sYFAamoGuiomar Novaes plays Op. 59 No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z1zql-yv5YYoura Guller plays Op. 6 No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gjjeQRVlfMVladimir Horowitz plays Op. 63 No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH7uie6_hRAWilliam Kapell plays Op. 41 No. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuOxOAgG95QArturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays 10 Mazurkas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDz8DbgUV1QKlara Min plays Op. 56 No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAoVKDuQCRQMarjan Kiepura's Mazurkas on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpGfzkIOBVY&list=PLKkve0LtLL-XJCJrqq1qH74CFrTenXQUFPavel Kolesnikov plays Op. 50 No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfjn9Ll4eUkIdil Biret plays Op. 56 No. 1 (not from her complete cycle, but this performance is special!) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nIgUVlcf_QJean-Marc Luisada Mazurka Cycle (DG) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiY09aR8nm8&list=PLJ0ZmvzszsR1I_DxuugLqQfclnB5UUyc2Antonio Barbosa Lima Mazurka Cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYdYwk3Vjqg&list=PLQopr5raEipfPQXYanmfhTpHhPp9abuNZGarrick Ohlsson Plays Op. 59 No. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jm0uwfoRgg

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven The second of three episodes covering complete Chopin Mazurka Cycles on disc. Here are links to some of the recordings discussed:Tatiana Shebanova plays Mazurkas Op. 17 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi6Q3XNRnXQRussell Sherman - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8019963--chopin-mazurkas-nos-1-51?srsltid=AfmBOoo7Sf4Gtm0gjjXPu8cjZzgEQwkrZl1ybRtCdsROO93NZaEE1yCZAlessandro Deljavan - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8700579--chopin-mazurkasJoanna MacGregor - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8315247--joanna-macgregor-plays-the-complete-chopin-mazurkasPeter Jablonski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j-3QI0RbLc&list=PLalhy4gc-IIKve9Z6Rzr4eje2cTvDp3PS

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenWhose new recording of Tchaikovsky's The Seasons should you acquire?Jed discusses two recent and rather diverse interpretations from Bruce Liu and Yunchan Lim.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVYdHjTYKfshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_-bTQ0toQ4

Although we're focusing on Chopin this month, I've decided to offer a bonus episode comparing Bruce Liu and Yunchan Lim in their recent recordings of Tchaikovsky's The Seasons.Yunchan Lim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvMdJnTjJ1kBruce Liu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVYdHjTYKfs

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomavenThis is the first of three episodes covering selected complete Chopin Mazurka Cycles on disc. Here are links to some of the recordings that Jed discusses in this episodeArthur Rubinstein 1930s version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ092gZHB54Excerpt from Nikita Magaloff's Philips Mazurka recordings- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG0cOqLE9l0Excerpt from Nadia Reisenberg's Westminter Mazurka recordings- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drnot1bqt4YJan Ekier Cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4axX2Gy_Fm8&list=PL1gAgJIplj-mM-QawlQNdOv-sMB2UfP0TExcerpts from Ryszard Bakst's Muza/Westminster Mazurka cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC1_R6rFr-MVladimir Ashkenazy Cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Yhyt9XwAo&list=PLKq64tL0GeMFI4Pl7zmJhL7lNrld8kQokAdam Harasiewicz Cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0na0rEmuYM&list=PLnnh5FPx2uWoV5vPXi55j6CIAITikHsdUExcerpt from Fou Ts'ong's Sony Mazurka cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_xSHt-B6Vc

Warner Classics' box set edition of Boris Berezovsky's Teldec Studio Recordings oddly omitted his Ravel recital for that label. This disc has long been one of Jed's "guilty pleasures," as you will learn from this episode. Here's a link to find second-hand copies of this long out-of-print disc: https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/6924178Consider a paid sunscription to The Piano Maven by clicking on this link: https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/.

Jed discusses Martin Jones' complete Debussy piano music cycle on Nimbus.Link to recordings: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7961023--debussy-complete-piano-music?srsltid=AfmBOopkhy9q8dyyUowlAshDW8DXwGTyp91S-5Dqf2XRm72pz6TEF7KD

Want to get acquainted with Hyperion's Romantic Piano Series, but don't know where to begin? Jed selects five representative volumes to get you started. Volume 42: Sinding and Alnaes Concertos - https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67555Volume 55: Widor Concertos and Fantasie - https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67817Volume 18: Marx and Korngold Concertos - https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA66990Volume 62: Gounod's Complete Works for Pedal Piano and Orchestra - https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67975Volume 49: Stenhammar Concertos 1 & 2 - https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67975

Claude Loyola Allgén's 49 minute Fantasia for Piano (1956) is a work that unfolds in one long uninterrupted movement. What does one make of this strange yet fascinating music? Is it a neglected masterpiece, or merely just one big mess? Decide for yourself by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpFb-rabTkU

Jed reviews Edna Stern's 2024 Orchid Classics Schumann release. Here's a link to download: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9664747--carnaval

Consider supporting The Piano Maven Podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven For this episode, Jed talks about six pianists who had major careers yet recorded relatively little. The pianists are Yara Bernette, Carl Friedberg, Malcolm Frager, Myra Hess, Eduard Steuermann and Ossip Gabrilowitsch. Here are links to some recordings: Yara Bernette: Rachmaninov Prelude Op. 32 No. 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe7Vr2wZcLQCarl Friedberg: Brahms Intermezzo Op. 117 No. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4-oOizOgVUMalcom Frager: Works of Carl Maria von Weber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOiAoQbDThIMyra Hess: Beethoven “Appassionata” Sonata First Movement (video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq_yHDbbB18Eduard Steuermann: Schoenberg Complete Piano Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv22iGfGN_0Ossip Gabrilowitsch and the Flonzaley Quartet: Schumann Piano Quintet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4f-cJNKrWk

Who said that ancient keyboard music doesn't work on the modern concert grand. Evidently it does, and wonderfully well, as Kit Armstrong demonstrates on this magnificent release. Here are some video links that should entice you to explore further......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZTfslob7Swhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ0_tTsiHtwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K86xCd6COBo

Jed Distler picks ten albums that represent a broad scope of jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson's extraordinary career.Links to the albums here:The Oscar Peterson Quartet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2QAj7OuSXc&t=134sLive at the Concertgebouw - https://open.spotify.com/album/5u9s4m4f1og4Yz6uUfuljkWest Side Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGb2wuT1p9oCanadiana Suite - https://www.amazon.com/Canadiana-Suite-Oscar-Peterson/dp/B00000E5HTMy Favorite Instrument - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t_GnQVgvewWalking the Line - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4MzBdy05TUOscar Peterson and Dizzy Gillespie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57nzCqu0rjoOscar Peterson and the Bassists - https://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Peterson-Bassists-Montreux-77/dp/B00004ZC1P; video link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4LXYe-bTRASatch and Josh: Count Basie Encounters Oscar Peterson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z14WqU_9xwThe Legendary Oscar Peterson Trio Live at the Blue Note (4 CD set, complete recordings) - https://concord.com/concord-albums/the-legendary-oscar-peterson-trio-live-at-the-blue-note-complete-4-cd-set/

Th great Hungarian pianist Annie Fischer's EMI legacy is the topic of today's episode. Here are links to recordings discussed:Beethoven "Moonlight" Sonata - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABwyRNbfHoUMozart Piano Concerto K. 595 Rondo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RObJ2V9R3v8

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven For this episode of The Piano Maven, Jed Distler discusses selected recordings of Edvard Grieg's Ballade in G Minor Op. 24. Here are links to most of the cited performances: Leopold Godowsky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enPP00uLYeQEileen Joyce - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX4MB8rKv08Arthur Rubinstein - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mggEbCn4mbkRichard Farrell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu0TkGUlu2M&t=856sAldo Ciccolini - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7-g3JZ6fPsJorge Bolet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILXOjgCU4sQ (note, this performance is from London 1987, and is not cited in the episode, yet comes from the same period as the 1987 Amsterdam recording issued by Marston)Robert Riefling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wscw6bsj9cQLeif Ove Andsnes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOtIV5ErxL4Peter Jablonski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV-TRMS7pHE&t=1163sEva Knardahl (BIS) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbdOG40uw50&t=377sEva Knardahl (Simax) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbdOG40uw50&t=377sEinar Steen-Nokleberg - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CQttvvCOfIAntonio Pompa-Baldi - https://open.spotify.com/track/26OnOoWfQnAXfeZ9H2zCIuHåkon Austbø - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQWL9lc5cOc