Explore every episode of the podcast The Pianist Podcast

In the first episode of The Pianist Podcast, British pianist Charles Owen shares his unique perspective on Schumann with Pianist editor Erica Worth, revealing a fun-loving, big-hearted side to the composer that often gets overshadowed by his tortured persona. Charles discusses the personal lessons he’s learned from recording Schumann's music and offers advice for pianists looking to explore beyond the usual pieces like Kinderszenen.

Charles also opens up about his dual passion for performing and teaching, his love for collaborating with other musicians, and the importance of being a “late developer” in his career. He reflects on how his exceptional teachers helped shape his artistry and how he maintains balance between intense practice and personal life.

Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation!

In this Pianist Podcast, the American pianist Sarah Cahill talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her upcoming recital at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Saturday 8 March, as part of International Women’s Day.

Entitled The Future is Female, the six-hour ‘marathon’ performance explores music for solo piano by women composers from the Baroque to the present day. There are sure to be some very unfamiliar names within her programme, which will surely inspire piano lovers in search of hidden gems! Tune in to hear what Sarah says about the repertoire, and about her quest for bringing these neglected women composers into the limelight… at long last.

In this podcast, the Italian pianist Margherita Torretta talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about the keyboard works of the Late-English Baroque composer, Elisabetta De Gambarini. Having recently recorded De Gambarini’s complete keyboard works for Piano Classics, Margherita shares her thoughts on how to play them on a modern-day concert-grand Steinway, and with the necessary improvisations.

She also offers up valuable learning tips on De Gambarini’s energetic Tambourin score which appears inside Pianist No 143, out on 21 March. Finally, she talks candidly about her own personal tragedy, and how she managed to turn her life around to become to a professional pianist.

In this podcast, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her new album, Fantasies, which combines works by Debussy, Chopin and Scriabin with African American composers Florence Price, Margaret Bonds and William Grant Still. Jeneba talks about the desire to create an improvisatory style within Chopin’s Nocturnes, what it’s like growing up in a family of musically talented siblings, and why Yuja Wang is her biggest idol.

In this podcast, Margaret Fingerhut talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her new album, Ukraine – a Portrait, and all the repertoire – most of it heartbreakingly beautiful – that we can look forward to discovering. She also offers up a wealth of piano-playing advice – from getting to know your left-hand part inside out, the importance of micro-practising, and how to make a real ‘story’ out of a short piece.

In this podcast, pianist and teacher Ann Martin-Davis talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her summer course for amateur pianists in southwest France. Ann also discusses the pros of teaching the adult returnee – her star pupil being Ray Eveleigh who passed his Grade 8 at the age of 88! – and her passion for the piano music of Ravel.

In this podcast, Leif Ove Andsnes talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new album, Via Crucis, and all the repertoire – some of it well known, some less so – that we can look forward to hearing. He also touches on the importance of having a good manager, why you should learn a piano piece that’s within your technical grasp, and the spiritual side to Liszt and his music.

In this podcast, Melanie Spanswick talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her various publications, including her latest releases for Schott Music, and what it’s like teaching – and writing for – adult amateur pianists. Melanie also talks about her popular ‘Adult Piano Returners’ Facebook group, championing repertoire by women composers, and she offers up advice for adult beginners and returners of all levels on how to improve their playing.

To find more about Melanie Spanswick’s publications, visit schottmusiclondon.com/pianistmagazine

In this podcast, Chloe Flower talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her new album, I Love Me More, explaining the reason behind the name and the repertoire, as well as the joys of recording it over a two-day period at the famous Abbey Road Studios. Chloe also talks about her ‘popsical’ style, why the cellist Yo-Yo Ma is her biggest living idol and how she’ll always have time for Bach.

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, the American pianist and composer Josh Cavazos talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new piano and cello duet anthem, Prayers for Cassie. The piece was inspired by his friend Cassie’s battle with cancer and her story of hope and perseverance. Josh believes that the music and his mission will be of inspiration for others who are experiencing cancer.

In this podcast Kathryn Page talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about the popular Adult Amateur course at Chetham’s International Summer School for Pianists, her musically-talented family, and her student days of inspiring lessons from Yonty Solomon.

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.

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, 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 your fingerings!

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 the moment and not the anxiety beforehand.

And who knew there were similarities between giving a piano performance, performing surgery and flying a plane? All is revealed.

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! His one piece of advice for aspiring amateur pianists? Practise every day – even if just for 15 minutes.

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, 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 art forms – whether it be visiting a museum or listening to an opera. Her

biggest piece of playing advice? Remember to ‘breathe’.

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, 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 leave Bach to the experts.

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, 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, 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, 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.

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 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, his passion for cooking and how he can never tire of learning and playing the Beethoven sonatas.

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.

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.

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.

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 introduce their pianos to UK audiences.

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, Sir Stephen Hough talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new release, Piano Postcards, 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, 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, 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 offering advice to amateur pianists on how to use imagination and be courageous.

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, Chenyin Li talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her role as house pianist for each Pianist magazine album. She talks about the recording process from start to end, how she’s discovered so many fascinating gems of piano music during these past 15 years of recordings, and what she’s learned by being Pianist’s pianist.

In this podcast, the Ukrainian-born pianist GéNIA talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her yoga-inspired piano method, which she says brings greater focus to one’s playing and helps small hands stretch further.

Actor, broadcaster, writer and classical music critic Jeremy Nicholas talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new book, The Great Piano Makers. He also shares his passion for Liszt, as well as his fascination with the piano repertoire of the more unknown composers – particularly Charles-Valentin Alkan – and explains his own musical journey from learning by ear as a teenager to composing.