The Pianist Podcast

In this podcast, Alexandra Dariescu speaks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her upcoming debut at the BBC Proms on 5 August. She also talks about her childhood in Romania, championing the piano music by women composers, and why we should always begin our practice sessions of a piece with the most difficult part first!

In this podcast, Katia and Marielle Labèque talk to Pianist editor Erica Worth about their new 3-CD project, 55 , out on Deutsche Grammophon in June 2026, which celebrates 55 years of making recordings. They also discuss their upcoming worldwide tour performing pieces from the 55 album and reflect on their long musical partnership – including the challenges of playing as a duo – as well as offerin...

In this podcast, composer Will Bates speaks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his score for the film Tuner . He also talks about working with actors Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall, how he developed a unique sound using mallet-triggered MIDI devices attached to a ‘lobotomized’ piano, and why it’s important to understand the power of silence in film scoring.

In this podcast, Sir Stephen Hough talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new release, Piano Postcard s, out on the Hyperion label in July 2026. He also talks about a deep passion for the music of Chopin, managing a busy concert schedule, and why it’s so important for all pianists to write their fingerings onto the score.

In this podcast, Mark Viner talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his continued commitment to recording the complete piano music of Charles-Valentin Alkan. He also talks about the pros of being a later starter at the piano, the importance of teaching, and why an appreciation of harmony is essential for all pianists.

In this podcast, Indrek Laul, CEO of Laul Estonia Pianos, discusses the company's history and its recent expansion into the UK market through a partnership with Coach House Pianos. He also talks about his musical background as a pianist who studied at The Juilliard School – and we get to hear all about the launch event on May 7th at Coach House Pianos in London, where Indrek and his team will intr...

In this podcast, Isata Kanneh-Mason talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her latest all-Prokofiev recording, which has just been released on the Decca label. She also chats about her passion for bringing classical music to the young people of Antigua, growing up in a family of seven talented siblings, and why she’d love to have played for Chopin.

Born without a right hand, British pianist Nicholas McCarthy talks about his unique musical achievements with Pianist editor Erica Worth. These include his being the first left-hand-only pianist to graduate from London’s Royal College of Music, his recent Proms debut in 2025, the launch of ABRSM’s graded syllabus for one hand, and much more.

As Chetham’s International Piano Summer School turns 25 this summer, founder Murray McLachlan talks to Erica Worth about his ongoing passion for creating a special place for all types of pianists. He also shares his thoughts on how to overcome technical hurdles, why we should all love every single note we play, and why we really need to listen… even to the silences.

In this Pianist Podcast, Italian pianist Alessio Bax talks about his role as Artistic Director at the first London Festival of Chamber Music which takes place at London’s Smith Square Hall. At the end of March. Bax discussed his career journey from his early studies in Bari, Italy, to winning the Leeds Competition at age 22 and beyond. Bax also shares insights about his approach to piano technique...

With clients including Mitsuko Uchida, Paul Lewis and Sir András Schiff, ‘tuner to the stars’ Ulrich Gerhartz talks to Erica Worth about his role as Director, Concert and Artists Services, Steinway & Sons – a profession he’s been proudly enjoying for exactly 40 years.

In this podcast, Jessica Duchen talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her new biography, Myra Hess: National Treasure. She enjoys talking about all the legendary pianists she’s interviewed over the years (and yes, there are some great stories) and why she decided that – having studied the piano seriously as a student – the career of a professional pianist wasn’t for her.

In this podcast, Danny Driver talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his current Variation Series at London’s Wigmore Hall. He also discusses what it was like to have lessons with Maria Curcio, why he’s passionate about Ligeti, and how he’d have loved to play for Rachmaninov.

In this podcast, Paul Wee talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his unique double career – that of barrister and pianist. He also talks about why he’s turned to the late sonatas of Beethoven for his latest album, the challenges of having small hands, and the reasons why he’s not yet ready to tackle Schumann.

In this podcast, Graham Fitch talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about the joys of teaching all types of pianists and why he always knew that teaching was his vocation. He also discusses how he helps other piano teachers improve their own teaching methods, why he loves being a judge for music festivals across the UK, plus he offers up invaluable advice for amateurs on how to improve.

In this podcast, Lucy Parham talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her Composer Portrait series and all the many actors she works with. She also explains why teaching the piano plays such an important role in her musical life, how learning to play a good simple cantabile melody is just as ‘difficult’ as playing a prestissimo run, and – even if she can’t live without his music – why she’ll leav...

In this podcast, Marc-André Hamelin chats with Pianist editor Erica Worth about his latest release for Hyperion Records, Found Objects / Sound Objects. Marc also talks about how he would have loved to play for Liszt, why understanding Theory is of the utmost importance for all musicians, and why he’s not yet ready to tackle the Chopin Préludes.

In this podcast, Anna Geniushene talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her recent release, Opus 1, which includes the first Opus works by composers Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Berg and Brahms. Anna also explains why she’s not yet ready to tackle Bach, what it’s like being married to a fellow concert pianist, and why we should all accept our imperfections at the piano.

In this podcast, Ivana Gavrić talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her upcoming release, Throwback to Dance, which includes an assortment of solo works by Grieg, Ravel, Chaminade, Pejačević and Cheryl Frances-Hoad. We will also find out what she likes to eat before giving a performance, the reasons why she’s not yet ready to tackle Brahms, and why it’s so important to immerse oneself in all a...

In this podcast, Clare Hammond talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her latest album – of British Piano Concertos by Britten, Walton and Tippett – which was released this month on the BIS label. Clare also talks about her passion for off-the-beaten-track repertoire, the technical issues of learning left-hand repertoire, and why it’s so important to bring music to a wider audience.

In this podcast, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his latest album, the Complete Works of Ravel, which was released in April this year to tie in with the 150th anniversary of Ravel’s birth. Bavouzet talks about the musical differences between Ravel and Debussy, why Haydn always puts him in a great mood, and how his biggest hobby in life has always been model railways!...

In this podcast, Dominic Ferris and Ugne Peistaraite talk discuss Performance Anxiety and Emotional Intelligence. They talk through such topics as: the importance of practising performing, how to deal with audience distractions mid-performance (such as a phone ringing), looking at anxiety as something positive (rather than negative), how to learn from mistakes in performance and focusing on being...

In this podcast, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about what makes the C major Prelude from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Book 1 such a work of art, how it’s OK to play Bach with rubato, and why Bach shouldn’t be put on a pedestal. Plus, Mahan’s two biggest pieces of advice for amateur pianists: Have an achievable goal at each practice session, and always write in y...

In this podcast Yevgeny Sudbin talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his fascination with Scriabin’s soundworld, how playing live and making recordings are two totally different art forms, and why lockdown was so very tough on his soul. Plus, his one important piece of advice for amateur pianists on how to improve at the piano: Find the right teacher.

In this podcast Daniel Grimwood talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about learning Henselt’s complete etudes during lockdown, how his inspiring piano lessons with Peter Feuchtwanger ‘saved’ him, and why Schubert and Liszt are his dessert island composers.