The Piano Maven with Jed Distler | Podcast on RSS.com

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

by Jed Distler

Music Commentary

Season 3

Antoine Préat's distinctive Haydn and Prokofiev

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 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

Vladimir Feltsman's Superb Bach Partitas

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 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

Julius Katchen at 100

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

Ripe for Reissue - Four Box Sets (rebroadcast)

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

Alexis Weissenberg - The Complete Warner Classics Edition

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 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

Mozart's Piano Concerto in D Minor K. 466 - an overly selective guide

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 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

Francesco Piemontesi's Stellar Liszt Sonata & Etudes

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 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

Chopin's Introduction & Rondo Op. 16 on Disc

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 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

Hans Otte's The Book of Sounds

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 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

Maximianno Cobra: Slower than slow, and even slower!

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven with Jed Distler 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 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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