PODCAST

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

Jed Distler

Your friendly podcast guide to piano recordings.

music music commentary

All Episodes

19:50

Warner's Maria Tipo Box

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/04/09

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 On this episode Jed discusses Warner Classics’ box set edition of Italian piano legend Maria Tipo’s complete EMI and Fonit Cetra recordings.Here are links to several cited examples:Bach Italian Concerto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUweFba-MfMBeethoven Piano

11:51

They Recorded THAT? - Pianists "Playing Against Type"

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/04/06

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/pianomavenPianists occasionally record repertoire for which they are not immediately associated, or else they record works that one never would imagine hearing from these particular artists. On this episode, Jed explores examples of pianists “playing against type.”Here are

4:52

Alicia de Larrocha's 1969 Columbia Ravel Disc

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/04/02

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 Alicia de Larrocha’s only recording produced especially for Columbia Masterworks featured three works of Maurice Ravel. It’s never been reissued on CD outside of Japan. Jed discusses this fascinating and hard-to-source release on this episode. Here’s a link to the

9:28

Emil Gilels' Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 Reconsidered

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/30

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/pianomavenJed discusses three of Emil Gilels’ commercial recordings of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1; with links to the performances below:with Fritz Reiner/Chicago Symphony (1955) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJy-hKfHdfwwith Lorin Maazel/New Philharmonia Orchestra

9:34

The Unique Cecil Taylor

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/26

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 The unique and iconic improvising pianist, composer and bandleader Cecil Taylor (1929-2018) is the subject of today’s episode. Here are links to some of the recordings that Jed recommends:Conquistador (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lq7liyDznkIndent (1973)

19:17

Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 17 K. 453 on Disc

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/23

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/pianomavenJed recommends recordings for one of his favorite Mozart Piano Concertos, No. 17 in G Major K. 453.Here are links to some of the recordings discussed:Ernst von Dohnanyi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSo5SKsSQ6sEdwin Fischer -

11:48

Five Pianists - No Bad Recordings?

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/19

Here’s a challenge - name a pianist who never made a bad recording.Jed comes up with five pianists who possibly qualify. Here are links to selected recordings by these five: Sergei Rachmaninov – Liszt Polonaise No. 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku5vyVticwADini Lipatti – Ravel Alborada del gracioso https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfypT_q6EUkIvan Moravec – Debussy Feux d’artifice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReXA2xlbq9M&list=OLAK5uy_kRuoBH-ae0Vld9umNkJVlV_Ghqbugp_WY&index=2Martha

8:39

Five Notable Mozart Pianists

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/12

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 On this episode, Jed talks about five notable Mozart pianists who brought divergent yet equally compelling approaches to this composer’s keyboard works. Here are links to listen:Lili Kraus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2doJV0FR8QWalter Gieseking (Piano Concerto

13:40

Piotr Anderszewski's Late Brahms

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/09

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/pianomavenJed talks about Piotr Anderszewski’s Warner Classics release devoted to a probing selection of late Brahms piano pieces, while also exploring comparative performances of certain works. Here are links to several of the comparisons cited in this episode:Op. 118 No. 2

8:57

Boris Giltburg's Ravishing Rachmaninov

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/05

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/pianomavenJed praises Boris Giltburg’s recent Naxos release devoted to early piano pieces of Rachmaninov. Listen to the Nocturne No. 3 (1887) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_UzZmcZtZUAnd compare both Giltburg’s earlier and new recordings of the Prelude in C-sharp Minor Op. 3

18:25

RIchard Strauss' Burleske on Disc

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/03/02

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 Richard Strauss’ youthful and irresistible Burleske for Piano and Orchestra is the topic for this episode, where Jed discusses key recordings from the 78 and mono LP era, as well as top recent releases and several historical documents.Here are links to some of the

22:08

From Deutsche Grammophon - Gallons of Gulda on 84 CDs

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/26

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/pianomavenJed takes a deep dive into Deutsche Grammophon’s Friedrich Gulda Edition, which encompasses 84 CDs devoted to the pianist's complete recordings for labels controlled by Universal Music, plus some bonus DVDs. Gulda was one of the 20th century’s most fascinating,

13:57

Morton Feldman's Triadic Memories

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/23

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 Morton Feldman’s hypnotically absorbing Triadic Memories has fare well on disc, and to mark the composer’s centenary, Jed explores several catalog options.Here are links to the recordings discussed:Roger Woodward -

9:46

Claudio Colombo Plays the Complete Piano Repertoire -...

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/19

If you search for piano recordings via downloading and streaming platforms, you may encounter the name Claudio Colombo, who has seemingly recorded everything ever written for the piano, and for the harpsichord as well. Or has he? Just what is this all about? Jed tries to find out for himself on this episode.Some examples:Clementi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMAOTrCTYT4&list=PLjQOybcDkZBMDEqcph3Os-Tixbl4v4MxOBrahms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmVCcXY0XbgSchubert for Clarinet and Piano

38:59

Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op. 58 on Disc

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/17

Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op. 58 may be the most frequently recorded among all of the Romantic piano sonatas, and Jed has his hands full on a lengthy episode that explores this work’s rich discography. Here are links to several of the recordings discussed:Moriz Rosenthal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn4SmBSoG_IAlfred Cortot (1933 recording) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EWRIOvTK0wPercy Grainger (4th movement) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qW371IdjiANadia Reisenberg (1st

25:10

The Chopin Etudes on Record (rebroadcast)

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/12

A rebroadcast of Episode 20 from Season 1, where Jed discusses complete cycles of the Chopin Etudes on record. If you enjoy this rebroadcast, please 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 Gramophone Collection Chopin Etudes Survey:

50:51

A Deep Dive into Beethoven's Diabelli Variations...

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/09

A rebroadcast of Episode 23 from Season 2, where Jed discusses fifteen favorite recordings of Beethoven's last and largest piano work, the Variations on a Theme of Diabelli Op. 120.If you enjoy this special extended episode, please 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/pianomavenLink to Jed's 2015 Gramophone survey of the

10:25

Yunchan Lim's Goldberg Variations

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/05

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 Yunchan Lim’s Official Goldberg Variations Aria Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seYfmj3L2EA&list=RDseYfmj3L2EA&start_radio=1Other recordings mentioned in this episode:Lori Sims Promo Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOp_QE4-JYcKlara

17:13

Messiaen's Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jésus - four...

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/02/03

I;m launching a multi-episode discographical exploration of Messiaen's monumental piano cycle Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jésus, starting with four recordings dating from the late 60s through the late 80s. So sorry that I kept pronouncing the pianist's name "Jean Rudolphe," when it's obviously "Jean-Rodolphe." My apologies!!!!!Here are audio samples from the recordings under discussion:Michel Béroff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvd2zGk11icPeter Serkin -

11:55

Three Recent Beethoven Piano Concerto Cycles Considered

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/29

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 are recommendations for three recent releases devoted to the Five Beethoven Piano Concertos:Inon Barnatan – Concerto No. 1 Third Movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jfAI0ZRGcsGarrick Ohlsson – Concerto No. 5 First Movement:

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