Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

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Jed goes back 70 years to look through High Fidelity’s Record Annual, a compendium of all of the reviews published by High Fidelity magazine in that year. He zeroes in on four releases that continue to hold interest for piano mavens, and what High Fidelity’s critics wrote upon their original LP release in 1956. The recordings have stood the test of time, but what about the reviews?

Here is a link to browse through back issues of High Fidelity:

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/High-Fidelity-Magazine.htm

And here is the link to Mortimer F. Frank’s article about Standards of Criticism that Jed cites in this episode:

https://classicalmusicguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=26605

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Ferruccio Busoni’s piano transcription of the Chaconne from J.S. Bach’s. Partita No. 2 in D Minor for Unaccompanied Violin is the topic of this episode, where Jed discusses nearly a century’s worth of worthy recorded versions, including Johanna Harris, Yvonne Loriod, Erik Then-Bergh, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Shura Cherkassky, Egon Petri, Agnelle Bundervoët, Gregori Ginzburg, Arthur Rubinstein, Alicia de Laroccha, Hélène Grimaud, Veronica Jochum, Peter Rösel, Sequeira Costa, Alexis Weissenberg, Jorge Bolet, Freddy Kempf, Mihail Pletnev, Evgeni Kissin, Kun-Woo Paik, Alberto Reyes, Maria Tipo, Rosalyn Tureck, Christopher O’Riley, Alexander Brailowsky and Lise de la Salle.

Here are a few performance links:

Johanna Harris - https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=bach+busoni+johanna+harris&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b6f400fe,vid:qU6DLkC9f-U,st:0

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli - https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=bach+busoni+michelangeli&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:6716feae,vid:w6-v-ZtCAFw,st:0

Veronica Jochum - https://www.qobuz.com/fi-en/album/piano-masterworks-of-busoni-veronica-jochum/0888831794370

Arthur Rubinstein (live) - https://open.spotify.com/track/6z2ch5cRKeDeCQHSStdAY6

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Jed has been enjoying Antoine Préat’s recent release “Fool’s Fortune,” an intriguing and highly distinctive program juxtaposing works of Haydn and Prokofiev.

Here’s a link to purchase:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9839841--fortunes-fool?srsltid=AfmBOooArl703ZarsYRkEgnTGPPSwzRJSwtrIjC6R5MGlJupPIil7AZN

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Vladimir Feltsman’s splendid recordings of the Bach Partitas have somehow been overlooked over the years. Jed recently revisited this release, to his delight and pleasure.

Here’s a link to purchase them:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009W00CO8?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

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

August 2026 marks the centenary of the American piano legend Julius Katchen (1926-1969). Jed discusses his early career, and picks some favorite recordings to recommend:

Brahms Piano Sonata No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rs94HqX4Xg

Schumann Carnaval - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YfHn1nMNOg

Mendelssohn/Liszt On Wings of Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Ppc05b7nE

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpOahze1hFc

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OpjRcHknko

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Evhp3hO1U&list=PLJhYe4hsVJRdwFJnYM10LPS21E4A21ZVB&index=3

Sorry, folks! My USB mixer died a few days ago, and I had to order a new one, which is why you didn't get a new episode this week. So I'm posting this episode from last year, for the simple reasons that these four "ripe for reissue" box sets still remain out of print as of August 19th 2026!

Enjoy the episode, and I plan to be back with fresh new stuff ASAP - thank you for your patience!

Here are links to the releases I discuss:

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/B0036ULAY6

France Clidat plays Liszt (Decca, 14 CDs). Link to listen to Hungarian Rhapsodies No.s 1-10 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afo2NTiZz2Y

Raymond 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

Season 2 episode 60

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Alexis Weissenberg was a fascinating yet polarizing pianist and interpreter, whose assertive profile and almost icy brilliance could be mesmerizing or exasperating, depending on the listener. Yet he projected authority in every note, and commanded attention. Jed discusses Warner Classics’ box set devoted to the pianist’s complete recordings for the EMI label, a 37-CD collection that will provide grist for the mill among pianophiles who relish a good and healthy debate.

Here are just a few links to performances discussed:

Chopin Piano Sonata No. 2: Scherzo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8SuXteuX80

Beethoven Rage over a Lost Penny - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tafWa0nkFk

Debussy Etude No. 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPKDXEo5uVY

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 – First Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpdmdLq7jzo

Schumann Carnaval: Paganini: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpHdCpIdT84

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Here are links to some of the performances of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor K. 466 that Jed mentions during the course of this episode. These are only suggestions, for the catalog abounds in excellent versions. Do you have favorites that Jed missed? Let us know!

Edwin Fischer (1954) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBa6W_RwkI8

Clara Haskil (Fricsay DG) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coBhUvFgR5U

Clara Haskil (Markevitch Philips) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Owbr_sfxEI

Yvonne Lefebure (Casals Sony) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEelBfqRB6M

Martha Argerich (Rabinowitz Teldec) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGldgW6mDnY

Bruno Walter (NBC) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axcdYP9MinU

André Previn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF9C_KOeYss

Arturo Benedetto Michelangeli (Garben DG) -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3rpMk44K5c

Vera Gornostaeva - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBIELDZg_Ns

Cyprien Katsaris - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTzkbqMqGxk

Alfred Brendel (Mackerras Philips) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvEOJEhU7TY&list=PLoasmABcHZdGdphk7QiXk7eWJKVhhIB_D

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Jed enthuses over Francesco Piemontesi’s 2023 Pentatone release encompassing Franz Liszt’s Twelve Transcendental Etudes and Piano Sonata in B Minor

Here are links to listen and purchase:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQJxeAuC-QI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lxcjQFNZAQ

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9513806--liszt-piano-sonata-transcendental-etudes

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Chopin’s Introduction and Rondo in E-flat Op. 16 is a virtuoso showpiece that always brings down the house, at least in the right hands. Here are links to some of the recordings discussed in this episode:

Anatole Kitain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrfhHc9r99o

Vladimir Ashkenazy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu5my_I_W3M

Nikita Magaloff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i7Ii71wqks

Danielle Laval - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHeZhRCMo4U

Frederic Chiu - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=binNHETSRe8

Ludmil Angelov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sttkIKQt9Mg

Vladimir Horowitz (1971 studio recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N6UTnvniVQ

Vladimir Horowitz – 1974 home video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKaSkhUkwvw

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2026 marks the centenary of the composer and pianist Hans Otte’s birth. His multi-movement minimalist masterpiece The Book of Sounds has been pretty lucky on disc, and Jed discusses the work’s discography for this episode.

Here are links to recordings:

Hans Otte - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHmWXLaSePc&list=PLWM30loNhYy-M0EmzudadkmyXfDXjH471

Ralph van Raat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXeD6h0cVMI

Nicolas Horvath (live performance) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUpt_f3b8z0

Nicholas Horvath (studio recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3UCKL7U6I

Carlos Cipa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsexWDGgGCU&list=OLAK5uy_kzPAmicXIR6pt8oXCSvTpGLCUjGFav9RA&index=2

Conor Hanick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT_NFb0XCUA

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Who is Maximianno Cobra, and why are his tempos so slow? Find out more from these links:

Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 32 Op. 111 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkjy9_EWAds

Ravel Pavane - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIcRh4wIIwY

Bach Goldberg Variations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5N04M2ieGg&list=PLr0MsaDpKsY-ygKOktmOA7Im7OL5wThfB

Liszt Consolation No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNG22kc9h8A

Brahms Symphony No. 3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sHVdmjFxe8

David Hurwitz Video on the 12 Most Annoying Conductors Ever! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JReLCF2tpck

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Arcadi Volodos records infrequently, so any new release automatically warrants attention, such as his very individual interpretations of the Schubert D Major Sonata D. 850 and Schumann’s Kinderszenen Op. 15.

Here’s a link to a live performance of D. 850 with Volodos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss8t5i1ZlBY

And a link to the Sony Classical release: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9843886--schubert-piano-sonata-no-17-in-d-major-d-850-schumann-kinderszenen-op-15

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Marc-André Hamelin’s 2011 recital in Schwhetzingen finds the great pianist on blazing form throughout. Here is a link to listen:

https://archive.org/details/nbghxf

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The long awaited 21-CD box set “Andrei Gavrilov – The Complete Warner Classics Recordings” recently dropped, and Jed has been reconnecting with some of its contents, while discovering items that he missed when they first were released. Gavrilov could be both stunning and infuriating, and one never knew which side of his complex persona would turn up on each release. But to say that he was a virtuoso is like saying that Niagara Falls has water.

Here are some audio excerpts from this collection:

Rachmaninov: Prelude in B-flat Major Op. 23 No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSegyiHDr4w

Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uaj-YlmG0k

Chopin Etudes & Ballades - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsCYJeh024&list=PLJULKzY28M2uQ6oKhoioP1gTOyeDp4PGd

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Volume 69 in Naxos’ slowly but surely growing complete Liszt piano works cycle introduces the fabulous Lisztian Michael Kaykov to the series with a collection of piano pieces based on choral works.

Here's a link to the CD: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9862444--liszt-complete-piano-music-vol-69?srsltid=AfmBOoql6erDpTuGvoYEcfWOJWFvOq1HAO5wuUdgRmwIimE47bqxWhTU

Here’s a link to Michael Kaykov’s 2023 all-Liszt recital at Klavierhaus in NYC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJLMFwG8CU

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Jed positively kvells over Behzod Abduraimov’s latest solo release “Inferno,” which features works by Czerny, Liszt, Debussy and Stravinsky.

Here’s a link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EskcWGtjK6E&list=OLAK5uy_lCKv3FweBlfLaPEAXazkGsmtt9JCBlDXs&index=2

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Jed listens to a four-CD release devoted to performances from the 2025 Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition featuring winners and laureates. (Order here: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9781374--queen-elisabeth-competition-piano-2025?srsltid=AfmBOor6c3a50lT0B5sBekufIIPg1PZCz81lmnUD9hdJtrjb58UbH8Cz)

There’s a lot of good music making to savor…..

Here are a few video links for performances included in this box:

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxsolOqudqI

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDi0ZdLYclI

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 27 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I6e6v9mCMc

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmeTysqpgII

PLUS an alternate performance of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 not in the box that Jed prefers!!!! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q6DGZnRES4

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Reconnecting with Wilhelm Backhaus’ 1954 recording of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, Jed shares his recent thoughts about this vintage interpretation, for which we’ve provided a link to listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ud7EwbPaY

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Jed explores Meloclassic’s deluxe 29 CD/1 DVD Walter Gieseking 130th Anniversary Edition, the largest collection of broadcast and concert recordings featuring the legendary pianist, with many items published for the first time.

Link to purchase:

https://www.meloclassic.com/home/walter-gieseking-edition/

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In response to your feedback from the previous episode devoted to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major K. 488, Jed talks about four recordings of K. 488 that he missed, all of which you recommended!

Here are links to the performances:

Solomon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKYmqFXqTZI

Grigory Sokolov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUx6b1TUlE

Zoltan Kocsis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFSnhW-eRTE

Eva Poblocka - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnZg_47a9YI&t=1144s

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Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major K. 488 is one of the composer’s most popular and beloved works in this genre, and has been quite lucky on disc. Jed surveys the K. 488 discography, singling out distinctive versions to consider. Here are links to hear some of these:

Arthur Rubinstein (1949, Golschmann/St Louis) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwsJ5io1pt8

Keith Jarrett - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3e0UTVc8I&list=PL44gxJwuwoabQLi7g9huA1zhqaAk77bYB&index=6

Chick Corea - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoGZVZd4870&list=PLxzmL-cP6cVe6bywQAEOMgNjAY6319qAW&index=3

Walter Gieseking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6v9_wUDEFk

Vladimir Horowitz - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vemFmTyo-tE

Halina Czerny-Stefanska - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tYMwY1EzYg

Annie Fischer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMa_S5ZPxa4

Rudolf Buchbinder - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTYFqkvYmcQ

Murray Perahia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSePVTW_OiU

Andras Schiff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oC69Em8_bI

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Sviatoslav Richter’s 1960 American debut made musical headlines, chiefly for the series of five recitals he gave in quick succession at Carnegie Hall in October. The recitals were recorded and issued by Columbia Masterworks, yet went out of print almost as quickly as they appeared. For decades these discs were a kind of “holy grail” among piano mavens. In 1996 Jed wrote an article about this ill-fated series of recordings, which is the topic of today’s episode.

Here are links to several of the performances discussed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7bu790QDd0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrrQXQMfcPc

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Jed discusses Beethoven’s sometimes overlooked yet delightful Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major Op. 14 No. 2, citing a wide variety of recordings to explore. Here are links to some of those recordings:

Artur Schnabel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbYeVXQpAFo

Wilhelm Kempff (wartime 78s) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbX43nNleFc

Wilhelm Kempff (mono LP) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzvi5YP6IEs

Wilhelm Kempff (stereo LP) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiEuonaUw0g

Alfred Brendel (Vox) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9DvXdtQ2FE

Alfred Brendel (Philips analogue) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfk5JCk6mA0

Stephen Kovacevich - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUXYVV_fbx8

David Korevaar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PINoBEvhdjM

Claude Frank - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQi2YBCHucs

Yves Nat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBcTUKNfOTw

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Can we trust Artificial Intelligence to recommend piano recordings? Well, yes and no. Jed explains why on this first in a series of “Maven Chats.”

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On this episode Jed discusses Warner Classics’ box set edition of Italian piano legend Maria Tipo’s complete EMI and Fonit Cetra recordings.

Here are links to several cited examples:

Bach Italian Concerto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUweFba-MfM

Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 2 No. 3 Mvt. 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1mvD4vONvU

Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zba5nlwcnYU

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Pianists occasionally record repertoire for which they are not immediately associated, or else they record works that one never would imagine hearing from these particular artists. On this episode, Jed explores examples of pianists “playing against type.”

Here are links to recordings discussed:

Glenn Gould: Chopin Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAHE8PTR8tE

Wilhelm Kempff: Faure Nocturne No. 6 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEar_UYFCeM

Rudolf Serkin: Chopin Etudes Op. 25 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYgpgEDw_08

Alfred Brendel: Stravinsky Three Movements from Petrushka - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u17LyeUvLs8

Wilhelm Backhaus: Moszkowski Caprice Espagnol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmE-PF-fINA

Georges Cziffra: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 23 (Appassionata”) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zSIn21gKHc

Walter Gieseking: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz5QAV_Ke88

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

Alicia de Larrocha’s only recording produced especially for Columbia Masterworks featured three works of Maurice Ravel. It’s never been reissued on CD outside of Japan. Jed discusses this fascinating and hard-to-source release on this episode. Here’s a link to the music:

Alborada del grazioso - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2upEuqpqA6M

Valses nobles et sentimentales (1969 Columbia) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPJG1msJufU

Valses nobles et sentimentales (1993 RCA) –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Uzfa5Y4zM

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Jed discusses three of Emil Gilels’ commercial recordings of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1; with links to the performances below:

with Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony (1955) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJy-hKfHdfw

with Lorin Maazel/New Philharmonia Orchestra (1972) –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHl73cAsGhw

with Zubin Mehta/New York Philharmonic (1979) – (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKh0czWT96c

and

(audio) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY4ql6BpkKI

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The unique and iconic improvising pianist, composer and bandleader Cecil Taylor (1929-2018) is the subject of today’s episode. Here are links to some of the recordings that Jed recommends:

Conquistador (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lq7liyDznk

Indent (1973) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ_UYNRKvBQ&list=OLAK5uy_lD9tgOUv7eJXPcsAbhDfEavQdGrMtEuYc

Spring of Two Blue-Jays (1973) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=405AX1gCSqU

Akisakila (1973) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvrszwugbs8

Three Phases (1978) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRv8k9wOc_g

Garden (1981) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyJk2wi4SPE

The “Feel” Trio (1990) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1XXbDUzBgs&list=PLfOs1ZtjYFMsEisE06b1lYd0eW2bmG7Te

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Jed recommends recordings for one of his favorite Mozart Piano Concertos, No. 17 in G Major K. 453.

Here are links to some of the recordings discussed:

Ernst von Dohnanyi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSo5SKsSQ6s

Edwin Fischer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYPFLlW9AaU

Rudolf Serkin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQeJuhxA_w

Peter Serkin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x9VPtd2mco

Mitsuko Uchida - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfb3wfVuNWo

Murray Perahia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR_MBAupDcI

András Schiff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCDBRFr1BI8

Maria João Pires - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvVpObv8j3U

Leif Ove Andsnes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3w65MG5vxk

Malcolm Bilson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46DB8qZX1po

Here’s a challenge - name a pianist who never made a bad recording.

Jed comes up with five pianists who possibly qualify. Here are links to selected recordings by these five:

Sergei Rachmaninov – Liszt Polonaise No. 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku5vyVticwA

Dini Lipatti – Ravel Alborada del gracioso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfypT_q6EUk

Ivan Moravec – Debussy Feux d’artifice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReXA2xlbq9M&list=OLAK5uy_kRuoBH-ae0Vld9umNkJVlV_Ghqbugp_WY&index=2

Martha Argerich – Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor Op. 39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c0s3X3gzd0

Vladimir Ashkenazy – Liszt Feux Follets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRh1Jk_2Msk

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On this episode, Jed talks about five notable Mozart pianists who brought divergent yet equally compelling approaches to this composer’s keyboard works. Here are links to listen:

Lili Kraus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2doJV0FR8Q

Walter Gieseking (Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major K. 467) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4VP_2rr-OQ

Robert Levin (Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Major K. 279) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4v1msNPkyU&list=PLpBPcOvehC0kbct3EB1ziaeT5wsNukRvs

Roberto Prosseda (Pianos Sonatas 13 through 18) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVfly6gG3ec&list=PLQ7td4BqY86XAc3tzqvMKpg80PyuMEfSj

Mieczyslaw Horszowski (Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major K. 453) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN2g2NO6pAo

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Jed talks about Piotr Anderszewski’s Warner Classics release devoted to a probing selection of late Brahms piano pieces, while also exploring comparative performances of certain works. Here are links to several of the comparisons cited in this episode:

Op. 118 No. 2 – Anderszewski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpISuRuqylc

Op. 118 No. 2 – Emanuel Ax - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLBwPu8tiPQ

Op. 116 No. 5 – Anderszewski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2Kivfkxq_Y

Op. 116 No. 5 – Wilhelm Kempff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMGg-IDhLYs

Op. 116 No. 5 – Elena Kuschnerova - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3rg7wcUrvw

Op. 117 No. 2 – Anderszewski - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7saFNzKdDjU

Op. 117 No. 2 – Walter Gieseking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdLeYOPHRkE

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Jed praises Boris Giltburg’s recent Naxos release devoted to early piano pieces of Rachmaninov.

Listen to the Nocturne No. 3 (1887) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_UzZmcZtZU

And compare both Giltburg’s earlier and new recordings of the Prelude in C-sharp Minor Op. 3 No. 2

Earlier recording - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKMbiBuJtvw

New recording - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmuO2uC84Dk

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Richard Strauss’ youthful and irresistible Burleske for Piano and Orchestra is the topic for this episode, where Jed discusses key recordings from the 78 and mono LP era, as well as top recent releases and several historical documents.

Here are links to some of the performances discussed:

William Kapell 1948 broadcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixCnmQ3Yu6Y

Claudio Arrau 1946 recording - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUjK8EeOBE0

Byron Janis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCAZrVvn3cg

Rudolf Serkin (mono recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfgd8Y72p0M

Marc-André Hamelin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpMFfs_RP44

Martha Argerich - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do7ppwLTvP0

Joseph Moog - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK4LC-dU1bA

Malcolm Frager - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uOwazyJYVI

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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 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=PyjnWqxL2CQ

Chopin: Preludes Op. 28 (live Deustche Grammophon recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRB23YrsTo4&list=PLnXTfjAd4PkepKFUVDOOSq_6XNxsJqqwg

Debussy: Suite bergamasque - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XDi-UHyDKY

Gulda: Suite 1962 (jazz trio) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNUwT8Adf6I

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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-_QNIsYP8a

Aki Takahashi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3R8gU-BBnQ

Stefan Schleiermacher - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvjXWa-pl30

Marilyn Nonken (the opening of her Mode Records recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbhkaCvPl_w

John Tilbury - https://www.ebay.com/itm/226501263349

John 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-Tixbl4v4MxO

Brahms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmVCcXY0Xbg

Schubert for Clarinet and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWD-wdgtfGo&list=PL-fcrLIr4hrfEQyfBQld3JOzFtRqjQEgk

Mussorgsky for Flute and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EATbUF90yo

Brahms Violin Sonata No. 1 "arranged" for Clarinet and Piano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE8UR7iQl3Y

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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=3EWRIOvTK0w

Percy Grainger (4th movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qW371IdjiA

Nadia Reisenberg (1st movement) - https://open.spotify.com/track/6Tq1qt6U0KIRveEnf6Z2Z0

Claudio Arrau - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1JousWsVYI

Witold Malcuzynski (3rd & 4th movements) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC_XCvBfGrE

Martha Argerich (4th movement DG) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMC3yToYuFA

Isaac Mikhnovsky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB-nzZs_ZwI&t=9s

Van Cliburn (1st movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsWNx-0h298

Bruce Hungerford (1st movement_ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvwHk1FeZMw

Bruno Leonardo-Gelber - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o841NQu6weg&t=563s

Ruth Slenczynska (4th movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsQC7vh5wOI

Jakob Kuszlik - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIFNr2f8fEs

Nelson Freire (1st movement, Columbia 1968) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15QCHMHhXW4

Nelson Freire (1st movement, Decca 2002) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cg0loc9vIs

Nelson Freire (live 2016) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ-Crrv1J34&t=1160s

Nelson 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-recordings

Links 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-chopin

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl-WVW02GBg

4. 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/pianomaven

Link 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/01diabellivariations120

A taste of Martino Tirimo's recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPxsk63yhWc

A taste of Cecile Ouuset's recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rwwCou7OyA

Download Olli Mustonen's recording: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7934860--beethoven-diabelli-variations-op-120?srsltid=AfmBOoo9TGZRcrhgz5R5_dw1J1E-JUCosDoaSFnujaaabvWhaeN2djzn

Paul Baumgartner's recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATxBzzFNvSU

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Link to Yunchan Lim’s Official Goldberg Variations Aria Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYfmj3L2EA&list=RDseYfmj3L2EA&start_radio=1

Other recordings mentioned in this episode:

Lori Sims Promo Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOp_QE4-JYc

Klara Wurtz (complete recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCae2ZDcfi8

Alexandra Papastefanou (Variation 1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duOTs7v9FaM&list=PL2TwZLoz4m4uJk9diP_73Mlnrvuq2I0ah

Murray 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=fvd2zGk11ic

Peter Serkin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlgD6cLyvj4

Anton Batagov - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30qcHdxnDRE

Jean-Rodolphe Kars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Vk7uRR0_Q&list=PLT7y1WItbPC5kkvWEj0wnAACsYsPzBYwg

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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=-jfAI0ZRGcs

Garrick Ohlsson – Concerto No. 5 First Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=729a99oqRBw&list=PL44gxJwuwoaZWuiR72s4g7Xj6gEHxA2HB&index=13

Haochen 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. 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

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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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQ_TktdZeA

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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=6nMR83ly5GU

2. Minoru Nojima - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3SoQ5-LCLI&list=PLrpUfzCDMUy106Wd9zufyedpnTFTXBt7u

3. Sandrine Erdely-Sayo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpYnmxKTBJA

4. Earl Wild - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvo8lJ1GOdA

5. Arnaldo Cohen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFmsjoKSU0k

6. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLoNn-I5JJg

7. 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_PIZM7nw

Bandcamp link: https://praguepianoduo.bandcamp.com/

Welcome to our second episode of Season Three.

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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