The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

Afleveringen

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  Spirit, Body, and Soul: Pianist & Composer David Berry on Virtuosity, Creativity, and Artistic Identity 16.06.2026 1u 26min

  How do we bring our full musical selves to the stage?In this Season 6 finale of The Piano Pod, concert pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and artistic leader David Berry joins host Yukimi Song for a rich and deeply personal conversation on virtuosity, improvisation, composition, contemporary music, artistic identity, and the connections that unite seemingly different musical worlds.A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School, Berry has built a multifaceted career as a performer, educator, curator, and advocate. Equally at home with Liszt, George Walker, James P. Johnson, contemporary composers, and his own original works, he embodies the spirit of this season’s theme: Creativity and Connection.Throughout the episode, listeners will hear excerpts from Berry’s own compositions and arrangements, including Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho and Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.Featured Music & RecordingsJoshua Fought the Battle of Jericho Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child Danse Andalouse by Joaquín Nin James P. Johnson: Yamekraw – A Negro Rhapsody Adolphus Hailstork: Chamber Works Featuring the premiere recording of Hailstork’s Piano Quintet Detroit with The Harlem Chamber Players. SpotifyTiny Glass Tavern — Let Us Dance, Let Us Sing Featuring David Berry’s performance of Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho. SpotifyPublicationsJoshua Fought the Battle of Jericho for solo piano David Berry, Since Jesus Came Into My Heart: 10 Stylish Arrangements for Solo Piano Lillenas Publishing Company, 2024 David BerryWebsite FacebookThe Piano PodBecome a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content on Substack Season 6 Piano Music PlaylistNominate Guests for Season 7: Culture and Courage HERE#DavidBerry #ThePianoPod #PianoPodcast #ClassicalMusic
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  Sound Liberation: Joe Williams on Black Artistry, Legacy & Belonging in Concert Music 02.06.2026 1u 41min

  What does it mean to become a "Sound Liberator"?In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, composer, educator, filmmaker, scholar, and advocate Joe Williams joins host Yukimi Song for a wide-ranging conversation on artistry, legacy, belonging, improvisation, education, and the evolving landscape of concert music.Currently pursuing a PhD in composition at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Williams has built a multifaceted career championing composers of African descent while developing his own distinctive creative voice. From premiering new works and producing documentary films to contributing scholarship on Florence Price and composing music rooted in liberation, spirituality, and human connection, Williams exemplifies what it means to be a 21st-century artist.Throughout the episode, listeners will hear musical excerpts featuring works by Florence Price, Maria Thompson Corley, Richard Thompson, Brian Raphael Nabors, and Joe Williams himself.🎹 Featured Music & PerformancesBrian Raphael Nabors – Piano Sonata No. 2 Brian Raphael Nabors – Sonata for Cello and Piano (Sterling Elliott, cello; Joseph Williams, piano)Florence Price – Fantasie Nègre in E Minor James Lee III - Album for the Young at Heart Maria Thompson Corley – Lucid Dreaming 👤 Joe WilliamsInstagram: @soundliberator🎙️ The Piano Pod💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content here🎵 Season 6 Piano Playlist🎙 Nominate Guests for Season 7 HERE📫 Join Our Newsletter HERE🌐 Website#JoeWilliams #ThePianoPod #FlorencePrice #BrianRaphaelNabors #MariaThompsonCorley #ConcertMusic #ContemporaryClassical #Juneteenth #PianoPodcast #ClassicalMusic
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  Beyond Borders: From Argentina to Poland to Texas—Oscar Macchioni reflects on a life in music 19.05.2026 1u 48min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by Steinway Artist, pianist, and pedagogue Dr. Oscar Macchioni.Born in Argentina, shaped by years of study in Poland, and now serving as Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of North Texas, Macchioni reflects on a life in music that moves across borders — culturally, intellectually, and artistically.A central focus of this conversation is his album Mostly Tangos: Piano Music from the Americas. But this episode goes far beyond tango itself.Together, we explore artistic identity, the dangers of labels, concert programming, the evolution of tango into concert music, and how composers such as Astor Piazzolla, William Bolcom, and Karol Szymanowski shaped Macchioni’s artistic world. We also discuss his years teaching in the culturally rich border community of El Paso, Texas, his philosophy on piano pedagogy, and the role universities and artists can play in building meaningful human connection through music.This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on artistry, cultural identity, education, and how music continues to travel across generations and borders.🌐 Oscar Macchioni Website🎬 Oscar Macchioni YouTube🎹 Borderland Chopin International Competition📖 Read the “Meet Our Guest” blog💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content🎵 Season 6 Piano Playlist🎙 Nominate Guests for Season 7📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 The Piano Pod Website📱 Follow The Piano PodInstagramFacebookTikTok🔗 All Links
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  Music As Witness feat. Concert Pianist, Anna Shelest 05.05.2026 1u 49min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by concert pianist Anna Shelest.Her work spans major orchestral collaborations, recording projects, and repertoire advocacy — but this conversation centers on her latest album A Romantic from Kharkiv; Music of Sergei Bortkiewicz and the deeper artistic and cultural meaning behind it.Together, we explore how music becomes a form of testimony — shaped by memory, identity, and history — and how Shelest’s connection to Kharkiv, Ukraine informs her interpretation of Bortkiewicz’s music. We also discuss her Donna Voce project, her collaboration with conductor Neeme Järvi on Anton Rubinstein’s piano concertos, and her work as part of the Shelest Piano Duo with her husband, Dmitri Shelest.This episode is sponsored by the Alexander & Buono Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting classical musicians through performance opportunities, recordings, and artistic development.This episode offers a powerful reflection on rediscovery, cultural heritage, and the role of classical music in today’s world.📖 Read the blog (Meet Our Guest): Anna Shelest — Concert Pianist🎧 Listen to Anna Shelest on Spotify🎬 Explore more video clips on YouTube💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content on Substack🎵 Listen to the Season 6 Piano PlaylistNOMINATE GUESTS FOR SEASON 7: https://forms.gle/z3Q78dtTBbe5hdYr9📫 Join our Newsletter🌐 Visit our Website📱 Follow The Piano Pod on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok🔗 Access all links via Linktree🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, artistry, and the future of classical music.
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  Joy Luck Trio -- Groundbreaking Pipa-Erhu-Piano Trio 21.04.2026 1u 20min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, we welcome Joy Luck Trio — a newly formed ensemble bringing together pianist Donna Weng Friedman, pipa virtuoso Gao Hong, and erhu virtuoso Karen Han-Ottosson.Together, these three Chinese-American artists unite piano, pipa, and erhu in a rare chamber collaboration rooted in heritage and shaped by contemporary expression.In this conversation, we explore how the trio first came together, the histories and sound worlds of the pipa and erhu, what makes these instruments distinct from Western strings, and the remarkable artistic journeys that led each member to this moment.We also discuss Gao Hong’s expansive career as a pipa virtuoso and composer, Karen Han’s work on major Hollywood soundtracks, Donna’s recent creative accomplishments, and the trio’s artistic vision, repertoire, and the origin of the name Joy Luck Trio.This episode is about identity, reinvention, artistry, and the excitement of building something new after decades of achievement.📖 Read the Meet Our Guest Blog🌐 Joy Luck Trio Facebook🌐 Gao Hong (Pipa Virtuoso, Composer)🌐 Karen Han-Ottosson (Erhu Virtuoso)🌐 Donna Weng Friedman (Pianist, Filmmaker)📱 Follow The Piano Pod💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content https://thepianopod.substack.com🎵 Sounds of Inspiration (all the music mentioned in Season 6: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa📫 Join Our Newsletter https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe🌐 Website https://thepianopod.com🔗 All Links https://linktr.ee/thepianopod🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, artistry, and the future of classical music.
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  The Sound of Perseus feat. Composer & Conductor Michael Ostrzyga 07.04.2026 1u 26min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by composer, conductor, & Music Director at Univeristy of Cologne, Michael OstrzygaHis work spans composition, conducting, editorial scholarship, and large-scale projects — but this conversation centers on his piano writing, especially his recent solo album Perseus.Together, we explore how music begins — whether from structure, memory, or sound itself — and how these ideas shape a body of work that moves between tradition and exploration. We also discuss his pedagogical work Der singende Wind, his early musical formation, and his recent arrangement of Beethoven’s Mass in C for four-hand piano and harmonium, commissioned by the Harvard Choruses.This episode offers a deeper look into the relationship between structure and intuition, and how personal experience finds its way into music.📖 Read our blog🌐 Michael Ostrzyga — Official Website🎧 Listen to his music (Spotify):💿 Album — Perseus📘 Der singende Wind - the Singing Wind (Breitkopf & Härtel):🎼 Beethoven Mass in C arrangement - article🎥 Harvard performance of Beethoven's Mass in C[THE PIANO POD]💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content🎵 Season 6 Piano Playlist (piano music mentioned in Season 6)📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 Website📱 Follow The Piano PodInstagram: https://instagram.com/thepianopodFacebook: https://facebook.com/thepianopodTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thepianopod🔗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
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  The Infinite Staircase feat. Concert Pianist, Han Chen 24.03.2026 1u 18min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Han Chen joins TPP for a deep conversation about virtuosity, vision, and what it means to build something meaningful in today’s classical music landscape.Han Chen is a GRAMMY Award–nominated pianist known for his fearless approach to some of the most demanding repertoire in the piano canon — from György Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études to Beethoven’s Hammerklavier. His recent recording of Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with conductor John Jeter and the Malmö Opera Orchestra has brought renewed attention to one of the most compelling American concertos of the 20th century.Beyond performance, Han is also a curator and creator. His large-scale project Infinite Staircase pairs all 18 Ligeti Études with 18 newly commissioned works by living composers, expanding the repertoire while rethinking what a piano program can be.This episode offers a rare look into the mind of a pianist who is not only performing at the highest level, but actively shaping the future of classical music.In This Episode, We Talk AboutFlorence Price and the legacy of her Piano ConcertoLigeti’s Complete Piano Études and technical/interpretive challengesInfinite Staircase — a 36-work project pairing Ligeti with new commissionsCreative programming as artistic identityCommissioning new music and working with living composersJuilliard training and mentorship under Yoheved KaplinskyExpanding the role of the pianist in today’s classical music worldLearn More About Han ChenWebsiteInstagramMeet Our Guest: Han Chen The Piano PodBecome a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive ContentSubscribe to the Season 6 Piano Playlist — a collection of every piano work mentioned throughout the episodes Join Our NewsletterWebsiteInstagramFacebook🔗 All Links
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  Accents of Love feat. Pianist and Singer-Songwriter, Vivian Fang Liu 17.03.2026 1u 32min

  Accents of Love: Vivian Fang Liu on Artistry, Belonging, and Music for the Next GenerationThe Piano Pod — Season 6, Episode 13In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer, educator, and music researcher Vivian Fang Liu joins host Yukimi Song for a powerful conversation about identity, creativity, and the role of music in shaping the next generation.Vivian Fang Liu is a classically trained pianist whose work spans classical performance, cross-genre songwriting, children’s music, and music education research. Her award-winning children’s album Accents of Love (2023) invites young listeners to celebrate their voices, languages, and identities through imaginative storytelling and vibrant musical production.Throughout the conversation, Vivian shares the inspiration behind her children’s music, her journey immigrating to the United States at age fifteen, and how themes of belonging, cultural identity, and resilience shape both her artistry and her educational work.This episode explores how music can empower children to embrace who they are while also building bridges across cultures and communities.Listen to Vivian Fang LiuChinese Pop OriginalChildren's MusicBelongI Is LoveTalk to the Fishes with Your Inner VoiceSilenceAll Accents Are ArtLearn More About Vivian Fang LiuWebsite Instagram SpotifyMeet Our Guest: Vivian Fang Liu https://substack.com/home/post/p-190096545The Piano Pod💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content 📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 Website
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  "Sapiens: A Human History at the Piano" feat. Sean Hickey, Composer 25.02.2026 1u 26min

  Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book. From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this episode explores what it means to create — and remain human — in a rapidly changing world. Performed by pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev, Sapiens translates big philosophical questions into sound, structure, and silence. This conversation moves from macro-history to the deeply personal — from Detroit and electric guitar to leading major recording labels — and ultimately asks: What allows music to endure? 📺 Watch the 2/1/24 premiere of A Brief History of Humankind at Klavierhaus, NYC (Vladimir Rumyantsev) HERE🎧 Listen to Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for Solo Piano 📺 Watch the Trailer for Recorder Concerto “A Pacifying Weapon” (Recorder: Michala Petri | Royal Danish Academy of Music Concert Band | Jean Thorel)📚 Read “Release Rationale, Why and Why Now” From Harari’s sweeping vision of human history to the realities of AI in today’s music industry, this episode centers on one enduring question: How do we remain authentic — and human — in the age of acceleration? If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to support independent classical media. [SEAN HICKEY - Composer and Record Label Executive] 🌐 Website: https://seanhickey.com 📝 Read our blog about Sean[THE PIANO POD] 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content https://thepianopod.substack.com 📫 Join Our Newsletter https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe/ 🌐 Website https://thepianopod.com 📱 Follow The Piano Pod https://linktr.ee/thepianopod Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.
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  “Fearless Vision” Asiya Korepanova on Extreme Repertoire, Interdisciplinary Creation, and Artistic Risk 11.02.2026 1u 48min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with pianist, composer, visual artist, and poet Asiya Korepanova for a wide-ranging conversation on extreme repertoire, transcription as a creative act, long-form artistic commitment, and what it means to think at scale as a musician today.Born into a deeply musical family in Izhevsk, Russia, and now based in the United States, Asiya’s career is defined by projects many would consider “impossible”: performing the complete solo piano works of Rachmaninoff during the composer’s 150th-anniversary year, Liszt’s 24 Études, and Bach’s complete Well-Tempered Clavier. In this conversation, Asiya reflects on what draws her to repertoire that unfolds over years rather than hours, and how long-form thinking shapes her artistic identity.A central focus of the episode is Asiya’s work as a transcriber. She speaks candidly about transcription as a form of composition—an act she once described as “taming a wild animal”—and how her deep understanding of orchestral, vocal, and chamber music informs the way she reimagines works for solo piano. We hear excerpts from her transcriptions of Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, alongside reflections on craft, risk, and responsibility.The conversation also explores Asiya’s work beyond performance: her compositions, her multidisciplinary projects that integrate visual art and poetry, her commitment to education and access through her nonprofit Music for Minds, and her curatorial leadership at Festival Baltimore and Festival Flatiron NYC.This episode offers a rare, unfiltered look into the inner life of an artist whose work is driven not by spectacle, but by depth, rigor, and fearless vision.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCESAsiya Korepanova — Official Website Asiya's Merch on EtsySounds of Inspiration — Piano Works from Season 6 (Music mentioned in this episode) Read the accompanying blog on Substack🎧 THE PIANO POD💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock exclusive content 📫 Join our newsletter🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.comFollow Us on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
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  Mirrors & Echoes: Aïda Lahlou on Ravel, Risk, and Reframing Tradition 28.01.2026 1u 14min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with pianist, recording artist, and multidisciplinary creator Aïda Lahlou for an in-depth conversation on Ravel’s Miroirs, sound as physical reality, and what it means to build an artistic life through curiosity, risk, and purpose. At the center of the conversation is Aïda’s debut album, Mirrors and Echoes—a recording that places Ravel’s Miroirs as its reflective core, surrounded by carefully curated piano miniatures from across cultures and centuries. Rather than treating the album as a collection of pieces, Aïda speaks about programming as experience: sequencing, resonance, and how sound can function as landscape rather than emotional narrative. We also explore her broader artistic practice—from environmental engagement and rethinking institutional success, to her one-woman show blending stand-up comedy with solo piano performance, and her advocacy for the return of the modern impresario / creative producer in today’s classical music ecosystem. 🎧 Listen to Aïda's album, Mirrors and Echoes, on Spotify📝 Meet Our Guest — Aïda Lahlou: Read the accompanying blog exploring Mirrors and Echoes and Aïda’s artistic vision🎧 THE PIANO POD 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock exclusive content HERE.📫 Join our newsletter HERE🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
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  Schubert Now: Storytelling, Connection, and the Road to the 2028 Bicentennial 14.01.2026 1u 26min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, host Yukimi Song sits down with concert pianist and recording artist Ammiel Bushakevitz for a wide-ranging conversation on Franz Schubert, the German Lied tradition, and what makes 19th-century music speak powerfully to 21st-century audiences.Ammiel shares insights from his major long-term projects, including Schubert 200 — a multi-album Lied collaboration building toward Schubert’s bicentennial in 2028 — and his ongoing recording of Schubert’s complete solo piano works. We explore intimacy versus scale, collaboration between singer and pianist, audience-building for a new generation, and why Schubert’s music remains profoundly human and relevant today.🎧 Note: This video episode concludes around the 51-minute mark. The audio version continues further, with additional reflections on collaboration, teaching, empathy, and artistic legacy. Find the full episode wherever you listen to podcasts.🎹 Meet Our Guest — Ammiel Bushakevitz📝 Read the blog post exploring Ammiel’s artistry and his approach to SchubertAbout Ammiel: Concert pianist, recording artist, and one of today’s leading interpreters of Schubert and the German Lied tradition. Ammiel performs internationally across six continents and is also the Artistic Director of Les Voix d’Orphée, an organization dedicated to song, education, and cultural exchange.🔗 Learn more about Ammiel Bushakevitz🎧 Listen to all the pieces mentioned during the episode here🎧 THE PIANO POD💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock exclusive content HERE.📫 Join our newsletter!🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱 Follow: IG @thepianopod | FB @thepianopod | TikTok @thepianopod 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
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  Bells of Nagasaki — Anli Lin Tong on Faith, Lineage, and the Artist’s Callin 17.12.2025 1u 34min

  What does a piano recital have to do with war, faith, and forgiveness?In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist and educator Anli Lin Tong shares the story behind Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation—a profoundly moving concert created for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.What began as a single song her father used to sing—The Bells of Nagasaki—became a powerful act of remembrance, shaped by the legacy of Dr. Takashi Nagai, a survivor who transformed unimaginable loss into a life devoted to peace.This conversation moves beyond repertoire and performance into questions rarely asked in classical music:• What responsibility does an artist carry when history is still unresolved? • How does sound hold memory when words fail?From the history of Urakami Cathedral’s bells, silenced for decades, to Anli’s own journey—moving to the U.S. alone as a child, studying with legendary teachers, and carrying artistic lineage forward—this episode reveals how music can become a moral witness.It’s a conversation about remembrance, responsibility, and the quiet power of sound to hold history—and humanity—together.Learn More About Anli Lin Tong📝 Read my blog exploring Anli’s artistry and work📰 Press Coverage: Bells of Nagasaki: Music for Contemplation 🎓 Juilliard Feature The Juilliard School highlights Anli’s writing on her teacher Mieczysław Munz: 🎹 THE PIANO POD🎵 Subscribe to the Season 6 Piano Playlist — a collection of every piano work mentioned throughout the episodes: 💖 Become a VIP Member or unlock exclusive content: 📫 Join our newsletter:🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱 IG: @thepianopod | FB: @thepianopod | TikTok: @thepianopod 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod
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  Between Worlds: Mirna Lekic on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection 10.12.2025 1u 21min

  In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator Mirna Lekić for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.Born and raised in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and now based in New York City, Mirna brings a rare perspective to the piano — one shaped by resilience, migration, devotion, and an unshakable belief in music as a stabilizing, healing force.We explore her acclaimed 2023 album MIRAGE, a breathtaking collection of sonic illusions and cultural crossings that reimagines the piano as a global storyteller — moving from Azerbaijan to Spain, Armenia to Java, and beyond.This episode dives into:how early musical experiences during war shaped Mirna’s artistic identitythe healing and stabilizing role music played during her family’s resettlementthe depth of Bosnian and Balkan musical influenceshow cultural diversity becomes musical philosophy, not performanceMIRAGE and its groundbreaking approach to sound, resonance, and identitycollaborative work with living composers, shadow puppeteers, and multidisciplinary artistshow educators can guide young musicians toward authenticity in a rapidly changing worldIt’s a conversation about healing, devotion, heritage, and the power of sound to help us make sense of where we come from — and where we’re going.🌟 SOUND BITES“Music was a healing presence.” “Music study demands devotion.” “Music can be a lifeline.”🎧 FEATURED LINKS FROM MIRNA'S WORKFrom the album Masks: Debussy, The Toybox (opening) Villa-Lobos: Negrinha, No. 5 from Baby’s Family From MIRAGE: Ali-Zadeh — Music for Piano Lachenmann — Guero Cowell — Aeolian Harp From Eastern Currents: Ramin Heydarbeygi — Aramesh Mirna’s Shadow Puppetry Collaborations: https://youtu.be/V5Tj2ZHDGS8?si=Aa05gwPs0R0evO8r https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duMJtVPVOIs&t=262sRead my review on Mirna's Album, MIRAGE on Substack
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  The Embodied Pianist: Elena Riu on Presence, Breath, and Artistic Freedom 19.11.2025 1u 32min

  In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Elena Riu — pianist, groundbreaking recording artist, educator, and yoga/mindfulness teacher — whose work has reshaped how we think about artistry, embodiment, and the future of piano performance. Elena has long been a force of quiet revolution. Long before conversations about inclusivity and expanded repertoire entered the mainstream, she was commissioning bold new works, centering Latin-American and women composers, and exploring how breath, movement, and somatic awareness can transform the way we play and teach music. This conversation travels across the full spectrum of her artistry — from embodied performance to cultural identity, from the menstrual cycle as a source of creativity to breaking nineteenth-century norms about who pianists should be and what they should play. If you’ve ever wondered how breath shapes sound, how identity shapes expression, or how artists can create courageously beyond convention, this is a conversation you won’t forget. [Explore Elena’s Work] Salsa Nueva — Score (16-piece anthology): 📘 Purchase on Stretta📘 Purchase on Presto Music Salsa Nueva — Album (with Latin percussionist Wilmer Sifontes): 🎧 SOMM RecordingsOut of the Blues / R&B Collection — Score: 📘 Purchase on Presto Music Piano Icons for the 21st Century (Linn Records):🎧 Amazon 🌐 Elena’s Website✨ If you enjoyed this episode… Please like, comment, and subscribe — it truly helps our community grow. Follow The Piano Pod on social media for more conversations at the intersection of creativity, connection, and the evolving world of classical music. 📝 My blog on Elena & her album Salsa Nueva: 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 Playlist Thank you for listening — and for supporting a space where artists can be fully themselves. #ThePianoPod #Season6 #ElenaRiu #EmbodiedMusician #EmbodiedPianist #ClassicalMusic #Piano #SalsaNueva #MindfulnessForMusicians #Somatics #YogaForMusicians #NewMusic #LatinAmericanComposers #CreativeCourage #PianistLife
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  "This Is Jazz" 🎹 Pianist & Educator Quentin Walston on Jazz for Everyone 12.11.2025 1u 12min

  🎶✨ What if jazz could be taught as naturally as language—where freedom, creativity, and collaboration drive learning?Welcome to Season 6, Episode 5 of The Piano Pod, featuring Quentin Walston — pianist, composer, educator, and founder of This Is Jazz™. In this conversation, we explore how Quentin bridges performance, pedagogy, and entrepreneurship through his acclaimed book How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation and his growing online platform empowering educators worldwide.In our talk, Quentin shares: ✅ His mission to make jazz approachable for every student ✅ How his book helps teachers with little or no jazz background start confidently ✅ Turning small classroom moments into creative breakthroughs ✅ Building a thriving online community for jazz educators ✅ Balancing artistry and business as a modern musician ✅ His personal journey — from discovering jazz as a child to releasing his album Retro Future👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun and key insights on creativity, confidence, and cultivating joy through improvisation.🎼 Explore Quentin’s Work 🌐 Website: quentinwalston.com 📘 Book: How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation 🎵 Platform: This Is Jazz 💿 Album: Retro Future🎧 The Piano Pod 💖 Subscribe or unlock exclusive content: thepianopod.substack.com 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist: YouTube Playlist 📫 Join our newsletter: Sign UpStay Connected: 🌐 thepianopod.com 🚨 linktr.ee/thepianopod 📱 Instagram: @thepianopod 😃 Facebook: @thepianopod ⏳ TikTok: @thepianopod
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  🎬 TPP LIVE IN CONCERT REPRISE | Recorded Live at Mannes Prep, The New School 28.10.2025 1u 36min

  The Piano Pod Live in Concert: A Bold New Chapter in Classical Music marked the first-ever live event for the award-winning podcast and YouTube show The Piano Pod, conceived and hosted by Executive Producer Yukimi Song. Presented in collaboration with Mannes Prep, a pre-college music program offering comprehensive and nurturing pre-professional training at The New School, this milestone concert brought the show’s signature format — music performance, interview, and panel discussion — from the digital space to the stage. 🎹 Featured Artists Dr. Jee-Hoon Krska — Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 32 No. 12 by Sergei Rachmaninoff 🔗 https://www.keystosuccessnewark.org Eleonor Bindman — her transcription of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 for piano four hands (Secondo: Yukimi Song) 🔗 https://www.eleonorbindman.comDr. Nnenna Ogwo — The Sun is Rising by Black American composer Consuela Lee 🔗 https://www.juneteenthlp.org Donna Weng Friedman ( @donnawengfriedman9968 ) — Fantasy on The Wizard of Oz by William Hirtz for piano four hands (Secondo: Yukimi Song) 🔗 https://www.donnawengfriedman.com 🎙️ About the Event Filmed live at Ernst C. Stiefel Hall at The New School, this 90-minute event blended world-class performances with an engaging interview session and audience panel discussion. The artists shared personal stories, insights on collaboration, and visions for keeping classical music vibrant and relevant today. 💬 Special Guests Caroline Sonett-Assor, Director of Mannes Prep, The New School Audience members and artists in conversation 🎥 Video by: Scott Chiu, Portable Recording Studio (https://www.portablerecordingstudio.com/) 📸 Photography by: Vin Carvalho (https://www.thephotoartstudio.com/) ✨ Presented by: The Piano Pod — Where tradition meets innovation. In Collaboration with: Mannes Prep, The New School Produced by: Yukimi Song Studio LLC #ThePianoPod #MannesPrep #LiveConcert #ClassicalMusic #PianoPodcast #ConcertAndConversation #PanelDiscussion #CreativityAndConnection #DonnaWengFriedman #NnennaOgwo #EleonorBindman #JeeHoonKrska #YukimiSong #TheNewSchool
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  The World of MICROVIDS 🎶 Composer, Stefania de Kenessey on Music, Poetry & Love 14.10.2025 1u 23min

  🎶✨ How can nineteen tiny piano miniatures blossom into one of the most expansive, collaborative, and award-winning projects of our time? Welcome to Season 6 Episode 3: The World of MICROVIDS — Composer & Advocate for Women in Music, Stefania de Kenessey. In this episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Stefania de Kenessey, a composer whose works have been heard at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, and around the world. Her latest project, Microvids, began as nineteen piano miniatures written during the pandemic — and has since grown into a global tapestry of music, poetry, improvisation, orchestral performance, and film. In our conversation, Stefania opens up about: ✅ The surprising origins of MICROVIDS and how “tiny nothings” became her richest work ✅ Collaborations with pianist Donna Weng Friedman, violinist Curtis Stewart, narrator Krystal Joy Brown, and the New Jersey Youth Symphony under Helen Cha-Pyo ✅ Award-winning films inspired by MICROVIDS, including Silent Cry ✅ How MICROVIDS can connect with youth orchestras and piano students around the world ✅ Her advocacy for women in music, her Hungarian roots, and her expansive multi-genre style — from opera to dance to provocative video works like Menstrual Rosary 👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, candid reflections, and exclusive performance excerpts from MICROVIDS, Unorthodox, and Menstrual Rosary. https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6751/ 🌐 Stefania's Website🎬 Watch Silent Cry (award-winning short film)🎬 Watch Menstrual Rosary (winner of 33 film awards) [The Piano Pod] 💖 Subscribe TPP on Substack to unlock exclusive content 🎵 Listen to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlist 📫 Subscribe to our newsletter🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod 🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com
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  "Boundless Creativity" feat. Mada & Hugh Piano Duo on Love, Life, & Artistic Freedom 23.09.2025 1u 52min

  🎹🔥 What makes a four-hand piano duo so powerful, intimate, and endlessly creative?Welcome to Season 6 Episode 2: Four Hands, Boundless Creativity — Mada & Hugh, the Award-Winning Duo on Love, Life & Artistic FreedomIn this captivating episode of The Piano Pod, I sit down with the award-winning Mada & Hugh Piano Duo — Romanian-born pianist Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung. Known for their electrifying four-hand performances, imaginative arrangements, and engaging video productions, Mada & Hugh are redefining what it means to collaborate in classical music today.In our conversation, they open up about:The artistry and intimacy of four-hand piano playing Their daring arrangements, from Romanian folk gems to Sweet Child O’ Mine Behind-the-scenes secrets of their video production and vlogs Mădălina’s journey from Romania to the U.S. and her research on George Crumb Hugh’s entrepreneurial path — inventing AirTurn and pushing the boundaries of music tech The risks they’ve taken to reinvent themselves and the courage it takes to build a new artistic life together👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, candid reflections on creativity and connection, and exclusive performance excerpts — including Suita din Dobrogea and Silence and a Face from Christian Mecham’s Three Omens.[Mada & Hugh Piano Duo] Website:YouTube Channel🎼Download their amazing 4-hand arrangements HERE[The Piano Pod]Subscribe to TPP on Substack for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscriptionSubscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6 playlistLatest NewsWebsite
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  Music Transforms -- Chad Lawson on creativity, healing, and human connection 09.09.2025 1u 39min

  🎹✨ Can music heal, comfort, and truly transform lives?In this special Season 6 premiere of The Piano Pod, I sit down with Billboard-charting pianist and composer Chad Lawson — also the first musician ever appointed as a U.N. Ambassador for the World Federation for Mental Health. His composition “The Light Within” became the official theme song for World Mental Health Day, and his music has touched millions through streaming, concerts, hospitals, and beyond.In our conversation, Chad opens up about:The inspiration behind his latest album, Where We Are: Unity EditionHow he turned adversity into artistry with his debut Set on a HillWhy combining music and wellness has become his missionAnd the story of how he became a U.N. Ambassador through music👉 Stay tuned until the end for rapid-fire fun, personal insights, secrets to building a successful creative career, and an exclusive excerpt of Chad’s breathtaking piece “Sanctuary.”[Chad Lawson]Sanctuary full video: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5gThe Light Within: https://youtu.be/QZwL3ojac0I?si=dR6CUnz-UECGgH5gWebsite: https://www.chadlawson.com/Podcast: https://www.calmitdownpodcast.com/[The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music]💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription: https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration – Piano Works from Season 6: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTkMwM4nISe9vxvDa📫 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/40kiukhStay Connected:🚨 Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod🌐 Website: https://thepianopod.com📱 Instagram: @thepianopod😃 Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThePianoPodNYC⏳ TikTok: @thepianopod