The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

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

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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=Qe7Vr2...

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=wZTfslob7Sw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ0_tTsiHtw

https://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=134s

Live at the Concertgebouw - https://open.spotify.com/album/5u9s4m4f1og4Yz6uUfuljk

West Side Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGb2wuT1p9o

Canadiana Suite - https://www.amazon.com/Canadiana-Suite-Oscar-Peterson/dp/B00000E5HT

My Favorite Instrument - https...

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=ABwyRNbfHoU

Mozart 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=enPP00uLYeQ

Eileen Joyce - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX4MB8rKv08

...

On this episode of The Piano Maven, Jed Distler reconsiders the legacy of jazz pianist, bandleader and educator Lennie Tristano (1919-1978).

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Links to recordings cited in this episode:

“Wow” Lennie Tristano Sextet (1949) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GSjkYnpvYM

“C Minor Complex” (1961) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX1s3OWXxZg

“Desce...

Carlo Grante is the first pianist to have recorded Domenico Scarlatti's complete keyboard sonatas on a modern concert grand piano. Issued by Music & Arts in six volumes totaling 34 CDs, Jed explores Grante's monumental achievement on this episode of The Piano Maven.

Here's a link to Volume 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WWSLwOjjqY&list=PLhQbBbPdSZ2wycF4j85kfeNYL7sPNFHuS

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...

Jed discusses Angela Hewitt's 2018 remake of the Six Keyboard Partitas by J.S. Bach.

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Partita No. 5: Preambulum (recorded 1997) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c1yNfGVM2E&list=PLPXd6_jpWSlfkR9JT-aCF-MxovL5gwr08&index=30

Partita No. 5: Preambulum (recorded 2018) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noHcLr_XPXw

Partita No. 4: Sarabande (recorded 2018) - https://www...

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Schubert Duo 1st Mvt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1eK9WDenQA

Beethoven Op. 30 No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIxv9mac01c

Grieg Sonata No. 3 Op. 45 Mvt. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCxvH9mRXvs

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 purchase Rudolf Buchbinder's 1986 EMI Chopin disc - https://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Piano-Works-Rudolf-Buchbinder/dp/B000239B96

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’s Jed’s Gramophone Cliburn Competition Blog about Alexei Sultanov - https://www.gramophone.co.uk/blogs/article/jed-distler-s-cliburn-blog-no-16-alexei-sultanov-reconsidered

Link to purchase Sultanov’s Rachmaninov Sonata No. 2, Prokofiev SOnata No. 7 and Scriabin Sonata No. 5 - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7948204--rachmaninov-prokofiev-scriabin-piano-sonatas

Chopin's uniquely hypnotic Berceuse has been lucky on disc, and Jed discusses seventeen pianists who've made memorable recorded versions. Here are links to some of them:

Josef Hofmann - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzqGLmLlMHY&t=3s

Alfred Cortot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqSDOLmfk30

Solomon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O8rbQ6Hi2M

Wilhelm Kempff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsKxP_4byAk

Walter Gieseking (both versions) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccf2FSvkzWA

Vladimir...

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The third and arguably final of three episodes discussing big box sets featuring pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli is devoted to his Deutsche Grammophon recordings.

You can find some of these on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arturobenedettimichelangel8450

And while this box set may be hard to source, all of the individual recordings are readily available from...

Jed discusses the 26-CD box set Jorge Bolet: The Complete Decca Recordings on this episode.

Here are several samples:

Franck - Prelude, Chorale & Fugue (live recording) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZTtcCLrNqM

Chopin - Prelude Op. 28 No. 8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpbwtXP00pg

Reger - Telemann Variations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzPdVE12MvI

Liszt - Waldesrauchen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbi3XaM45ds

Consider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic...

In 2006 & 2007, Franz Hummel (1939-2022) composed his own set of 33 variations on a waltz by Diabelli, the very same waltz on which Beethoven based his iconic Diabelli Variations Op. 120. Is it a masterpiece or a curiosity? Jed Distler fills you in on this episode.

Here's a link to listen purchase Franz Hummel's Diabelli Variations: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7980049--beethoven-hummel-diabelli-variations

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...

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 discusses the complete recordings of French pianist Edouard Risler (1873-1929), made acoustically for the Pathé label in 1917.

Link to listen via YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNyKzgpI20w

Link to Marston Records release - https://www.marstonrecords.com/pages/lagniappe-5-risler

A CDR transfer - https://classicmusiccds.com/product/edouard-risler-the-complete-recordings-cdr/

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 Rosalyn Tureck's 1952/3 recording of Bach's Fugue in C-sharp Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book II -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9UypYRjv4g

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 explores Anton Kuerti's 1985 recordings of the five Beethoven Piano Concertos; a cycle that deserves wider attention. Here's are links to purchase -

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7971236--beethoven-piano-concertos-1-2

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7971233--beethoven-piano-concertos-3-4

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7971216--beethoven-emperor-concerto-etc

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 Philipp Lynov playing Ravel's Miroirs in The Cliburn 2025 Semi-Finals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj9hASh2wgw&t=1521s

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 discusses a very rare all-Schubert disc with live performances by Steven de Groote (Claremont GSE 1527)

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 purchase recording - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9735901--kate-liu-plays-beethoven-brahms

Link to video of Kate Liu playing Brahms' Piano Sonata No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OwW0T1PvZM

Link to Kate Liu 2022 Van Cliburn International Competition Quarterfinal Recital - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nliha96TliY

Jed explores recordings of Chopin's 24 Preludes Op. 28 with 24 pianists. Actually 25, since one is mentioned in passing, but it's basically 24!

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 review of Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/schmitt-leonardys-stimulating-chopin/?search=1

Link to Alfred Cortot’s 1934 recording via The Piano Files with Mark Ainley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4aeV1...

Andrew Tyson's Landscapes - https://open.spotify.com/album/0g83URd7QGhtgWw2kj13sa

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

Consider 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

The teenage Grigory Sokolov's recordings of the Tchaikovsky 1st and Saint-Saëns 2nd Concertos reveal how this gifted pianist already was "Sokolov" at such a tender age - everything is there: the impeccable technique, utmost control of sonority and balance, and almost scientific awareness of his instrument's mechanical and expressive potential.

Here are links to the performances:

https://w...

Jed Distler’s “top ten” list of Alfred Brendel recordings is the topic for this episode. Here are links to some of Jed’s reviews on Classicstoday.com:

Mozart Sonatas - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-9108/?search=1

Mozart Concertos - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-3408/?search=1

Liszt - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-13884/?search=1

Bach - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-13776/?search=1

Schumann - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-3829/?search=1

Beethoven - https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-6210/?search=1

Chopin - https...

The gifted young Hungarian/American pianist Julia Hamos presents Ellis Island, one of the most impressive solo piano debut releases in recent memory, featuring works by Kurtag, Bartok, Ligeti, Meredith Monk, Charles Mingus and Schubert.

Promotional video - https://www.facebook.com/reel/621337480674569

Ligeti's Fanfares - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tItbf6F-M3A

Link to purchase - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9759948--ellis-island?srsltid=AfmBOorpob-cx3Rc0JrrcaEg1sIz9QHIn6gnHJQ7ssacJ2q_cgF5Irm-

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Here's a link to Claudio Arrau's Mozart cycle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UvgqXHK_HI&list=PLsmSVKWkK9kEEjqHFYLWnxKe11GwPbyGo

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/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...

Although the official Medici Masters CD release for Cziffra's April 23rd 1964 Tokyo recital is out of print, you can find the music here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2mag2yGhvA

Five commercial Liszt Sonata recordings that deserve wider recognition:

Van Cliburn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyFMhtJngc

Jitka Čechová - https://www.supraphon.com/album/96-brahms-liszt-live-at-the-rudolfinum

Boris Berezovsky - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7984370--boris-berezovsky-plays-liszt?srsltid=AfmBOoqEJKHu96EbKtmOz-nQ49y2jA-JVNeJKTTDZ6BHHAMJzTx0dVAp

Alexei Grynyuk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVyMCDz2JJc

George-Emmanuel Lazaridis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g5HBjoEFAI

This episode lists ten more piano-related box sets that Jed would like to see released!

Link to purchase this recording - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8035178--beatrice-rana-silver-medalist

Consider 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

Consider 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

A (mostly) Liszt recital from January 19th, 2001; link to video -https://lukarn.fr/en/program/akiko-ebi-franz-liszt-frederic-chopin/

Link to audio-only soundtrack on Archive.org - https://archive.org/details/thr_20250223

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 purchase The Complete Josef Hofmann Volume 4 - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7975345--the-complete-josef-hofmann-vol-4?srsltid=AfmBOoqLMI6L0tKzaqNGf5Anub3i79RwrSjZXDkItZ-GLeu81P6yMn4-

Link to listen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBk8UEpltw

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 John Ogdon's Beethoven "Appassionata" - https://johnogdon.bandcamp.com/album/ludwig-van-beethoven-piano-sonata-no-23-in-f-minor-op-57-appassionata

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Link to sample from Daan Vandewalle's recording - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PCCGC3nFBU&list=OLAK5uy_kZxHScVEUv64oJbjzSdZ32guSxV6c-krM

Link to purchase (the downloads are less expensive than the physical CDs!) - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9561387--sorabji-opus-clavicembalisticum-collection-passacaille-plus?srsltid=AfmBOoqb-90fg0quVJ-oJHyvYA15xGTxqOQ0qw_kQx6bzY974oXA5RMD

An interesting link comparing five pianists - https...

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 Sonia Rubinsky's Scarlatti release - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8429262--sonia-rubinsky-sonatas-de-scarlatti

Whatever happened to these ten pianists?

A discussion about pianists whose recordings received lots of attention at the start of their careers. Yet where are they now?

Here are the ten pianists, along with relevant links

Leonid Kuzman - https://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Piano-Concerto-Minor-Liszt/dp/B000001LM3

Alexei Sultanov – video about the pianist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zgBSe45SGE

Dimitris Sgouros – 1987 recital https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on8gADSt3Tg;

Max Levinson – his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@natjesmusic

Naida Cole – one of h...

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Links to selected individual recordings and cycles:

Ignaz Friedman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_BeZQMySpM

Guiomar Novaes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQG5gETm4nU

Ginette Doyen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wQJAyvktrg

Ania Dorfmann - https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8339372--mendelssohn-songs-without-words

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