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/pianomaven Jed takes a deep dive into Deutsche Grammophon’s Friedrich Gulda Edition, which encompasses 84 CDs devoted to the pianist's complete recordings for labels contr...

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...

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=PLjQOybcDkZ...

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_I Alfred Cortot (1933 recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EW...

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 Je...

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...

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=1 Other reco...

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 Bér...

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.yo...

Jed talks about Krystian Zimerman’s Deutsche Grammophon recordings of Schubert's Piano Sonatas in A Major D. 959 and B-Flat Major D. 960 Links to selected movements are here: D. 959 – II. Allegretto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fubKC4TNi2g&list=PLsUQ1iTYBB1W0lEePuydi5ytSzbgscj3k&index=2 D. 960 – IV. Allegro ma non troppo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8WNaFz_F0U Consider making a...

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 Jed 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: htt...

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. Cl...

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_PIZM7nw Bandcamp 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 la...

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....

"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, wh...

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 r...

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=TzArJYgJqdE Annerose Schmidt plays Mozart's Complete Piano Concertos (Berlin Classics, 10 CDs). Link to purchase - https://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Piano-Concertos-Wolfgang-Amadeus/dp/...

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-...

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. Li...

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=1 Concerto No. 2: Julius Katchen - https://www.yout...

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/comm...

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=7m0hFO3yvyA Liszt 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_lJNWc Link to watch Memories of John Browning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_tqt112TlE