News Flash

2025-04-07

Best LvB Sonatas Cycles?

Many great pianists have recorded Beethoven's complete sonatas, each offering unique interpretations of his evolving genius, from poetic nuance to virtuosic power. This article examines six exceptional sets, comparing their insights, technique, and artistic vision, revealing the sonatas' endless richness for every listener.
Read more at classical-music.com

2025-04-06

The Piano Opens in Australia

Amanda Keller hosts this six-part series showcasing how pianos enrich everyday Australian lives. Pianists perform in public spaces, unknowingly observed by Harry Connick Jr. and Andrea Lam. These experts will mentor chosen talents for a life-changing performance at Sydney's City Recital Hall.
Read more at abc.net.au

2025-04-05

Anton Mejias on Bach

Born in 2001, Finnish-Cuban pianist Anton Mejias showed early fascination with Bach. Debuting at eight, he mastered The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, by ten. His repertoire now includes the complete French and English Suites, all six partitas, and The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk

2025-04-04

Indispensable Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach's enduring music has inspired composers for centuries, from the Classical and Romantic eras to today. Arrangements of Bach's keyboard music by legacy composers reveal pedagogical, interpretive, and evolving stylistic intentions across different performance mediums.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-04-03

The Fedorova & Takser Piano Duo

After graduating from Moscow in 2009, pianists Fedorova and Takser emigrated to Canada in 2010. They credit their teacher Richard Raymond and the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal for adding "charm and flavour" to their rigorous Russian training, creating a unique blend of styles.
Read more at myscena.org

2025-04-02

Pianist Jumppanen and Boulez

In 2001, young pianist Paavali Jumppanen, studying with Krystian Zimmermann, played Boulez's challenging Second Sonata for the composer in Paris. This pivotal meeting led Boulez to invite Paavali to record his piano sonatas, deeply influencing his career path despite his outsider status to the avant-garde.
Read more at abc.net.au

2025-04-01

The Lipatti Legend

Despite personal and historical turmoil, Dinu Lipatti achieved international fame, enthralling audiences and critics. His years of dedicated preparation for each concerto showcased a profound commitment beyond virtuosity. Every note he played resonated with purpose and humanity.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-03-31

Korean Top Prizes in Paris

Seventeen-year-old South Korean pianist Saehyun Kim triumphed at the 2025 Long-Thibaud Piano Competition with his Rachmaninoff 3rd. He also secured the Audience, Press Jury, and Paris Prizes, the latter voted on by over 20,000 Parisian music students. Kim's compatriot Hyo Lee won third prize.
Read more at theviolinchannel.com

2025-03-30

Rachmaninoff - The Last Great Romantic

Rachmaninoff, a nostalgic composer and the last great Romantic, sought to revive a bygone era. Thankfully, dedicated pianists, conductors, listeners, and critics like Fiona Maddocks share his spirit, ensuring his magnificent, anachronistic music remains vibrant and enduring.
Read more at thebulwark.com

2025-03-29

Clara - The Chopin Fan and Patron

Frédéric Chopin (1810) was nine years older than Clara Wieck (1819). In 1832 Paris, despite her father Friedrich's heavy-handed management, her performance impressed Chopin, whose early death (1849) contrasted with Clara Schumann's long career championing his music until 1896.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-03-27

More Ravel Album Celebrations

The reviewer thinks that the double-album titles felt wrong for Ravel, a master of exquisite miniatures whose singular beauty risks dissolving when presented en masse. Impressively, both collections, by Bavouzet and Martineau largely avoid this pitfall, preserving the unique essence of his concise masterpieces.
Read more at ludwig-van.com

2025-03-26

On Shaping an Artistic Path

Drawing on competition experience, Jingci Liu employs structured weekly practice and strategic repertoire choices. Yet, she welcomes challenges, notably her acclaimed all-female program featuring Clara Schumann, Marianna von Martinez, and Lili Boulanger, a surprising and appreciated selection by the judges.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-03-25

Thibaudet´s Tiny Desk

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, the renowned French pianist, excels in French repertoire but spans genres. He tackles Villa-Lobos's energetic works and Khachaturian's concerto on his latest album. His Tiny Desk performance featured favorites, including Ravel's "Pavane For a Dead Princess".
Read more at interlochenpublicradio.org

2025-03-24

Being a Contestant in The Cliburn

The 2025 Cliburn attracted 340 pianists from 45 nations, with China, the US, South Korea, and Italy leading. 77 were chosen for Texas live screenings, March 16-22. On April 9th, 30 finalists will be revealed for the May 21-24 rounds.
Read more at sfcv.org

2025-03-24

Do You Know Momo Kodama?

Celebrated for her crystalline technique and deep musical understanding, Kodama is acclaimed for her diverse repertoire. Captivating global audiences, her artistry beautifully blends tradition and innovation, precision and poetry, yielding a luminous and profoundly introspective sound.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-03-23

A Praised Ravel Celebration

Chamayou's "Ravel Fragments" honors Ravel's 150th, a key influence. It includes Ravel's "La Valse" and "Daphnis et Chloé," Chamayou's vocal transcriptions, and Ravel-inspired pieces by historical and modern composers, highlighting 20th-century works.
Read more at theguardian.com

2025-03-22

Struck by Player Pianos

Michael Bryant, a former sonar officer, transitioned to piano restoration during the 70s ragtime boom. His keen hearing, honed identifying ships by propeller sounds, fueled his craftsmanship. Seeking peace after naval service, he embraced repairing antique instruments.
Read more at opb.org

2025-03-21

Sudbin in Podcast

Yevgeny Sudbin is one of the most thrilling pianists of his generation. His playing combines exceptional virtuosity with remarkable precision, and he is equally compelling in Scarlatti, Beethoven, and Rachmaninov. In this podcast, the Russian-born pianist discusses his musical identity, Scriabin’s eccentric letters, and his love of currywurst.
Read more at letscast.fm

2025-03-20

The Great Herbie Hancock

Hancock's Polar Music Prize, akin to a musical Nobel, prompted this conversation. He joins legends like McCartney, Dylan, and Wonder. He's thrilled, especially given Wayne Shorter's prior win, highlighting their shared history in Miles Davis's quintet.
Read more at bbc.com

2025-03-19

Lisiecki on Chopin

Approaching his 30th year, pianist Jan Lisiecki, a Deutsche Grammophon recording artist since the age of 15, continues to captivate audiences. Now, with the 2025 release of "Preludes," his 11th album for DG, Lisiecki reaffirms his commitment to letting the music speak for itself.
Read more at sfcv.org

2025-03-18

Young-Gen Schumann

Schumann's piano works demand mental and emotional depth, exceeding mere technical skill. Beyond difficulty, they explore intimacy, drama, and poetry. Today's pianists offer fresh interpretations, showcasing innovative approaches to his complex, evocative compositions.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-03-17

Piano Legends' Last Recording

Over a century, recordings brought legendary pianists' artistry to listeners. We explore six masters' final recordings, some captured mere days before their passing. These poignant works offer a glimpse into their enduring genius, a final testament to their musical legacy.
Read more at interlude.hk

2025-03-16

Pianist Izik-Dzurko in Conversation

The Leeds victory, a peak for the Canadian pianist, capped arduous years of competitive striving. He declared it his final contest, a welcome closure. Beyond technique, competitions demand mental fortitude. Izik-Dzurko felt a need to transcend the constant ranking, finding its relentless nature spiritually taxing.
Read more at udwig-van.com

2025-03-15

Jablonski Takes on Stevenson

Ronald Stevenson's piano works, once overlooked by top pianists, now flourish. Peter Jablonski's Ondine series showcases diverse, short pieces, including premieres. This comprehensive anthology offers a representative glimpse into Stevenson's vast piano repertoire.
Read more at gramophone.co.uk