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The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

Jed Distler

Your friendly podcast guide to piano recordings.

music music commentary

All Episodes

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:

8:48

Krystian Zimerman's Schubert

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/25

Jed talks about Krystian Zimerman’s Deutsche Grammophon recordings of Schubert's Piano Sonatas in A Major D. 959 and B-Flat Major D. 960Links to selected movements are here:D. 959 – II. Allegretto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fubKC4TNi2g&list=PLsUQ1iTYBB1W0lEePuydi5ytSzbgscj3k&index=2D. 960 – IV. Allegro ma non troppo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8WNaFz_F0UConsider making a donation to The Piano Maven podcast by subscribing to our Substack page

8:53

Ingrid Fliter's Chopin Mazurkas Volume 1

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/19

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/pianomavenJed talks about Ingrid Fliter's first volume of Chopin Mazurkas on the Outhere label. Here's a link to her performance of the C Major Mazurka Op. 24 No. 2:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQ_TktdZeA

19:52

Essential All-Liszt Recitals Part 1

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/15

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 This episode focuses upon seven highly distinctive all-Liszt recitals that surely will enhance any piano collection. Here are links to sample selections:1. Claudio Arrau - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nMR83ly5GU2. Minoru Nojima -

7:57

The Prague Piano Duo Plays Schubert

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/12

Jed discusses a terrific all-Schubert release from the Prague Piano Duo. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_yu59RaaAY&list=OLAK5uy_nbCOUfqIFHKJwhOEzQaxNWFor_PIZM7nwBandcamp link: https://praguepianoduo.bandcamp.com/

8:43

Sviatoslav Richter's 1977 Salzburg Recital Revisited

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/08

Welcome to our second episode of Season Three.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 A listener asked me about Sviatoslav Richter’s August 26th 1977 Salzburg Festival recital issued on the Orfeo label. I hadn't heard this disc in a while, so I decided to revisit it. Here's a link to the

19:50

Chopin's Barcarolle on Disc

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2026/01/05

Welcome to our first episode of Season Three! 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 Chopin’s Barcarolle is the topic of this episode, where Jed recommends some of his long-time favorite recordings. Here are links to recordings discussed: Alfred Cortot – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhHWqVvPrgBenno

19:47

A Vladimir Horowitz Sonata Collection from Sony/BMG

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/29

"Vladimir Horowitz Plays Great Sonatas" is culled from the legendary virtuoso's Columbia Masterworks and RCA Victor catalogs, and features selections ranging from the Baroque era to mid-20th century works that are strongly identified with the pianist. Although most of the performances can easily be sourced outside of this collection, piano mavens still will want to know about this ten-disc set, which can be obtained from second-hand dealers:

23:39

Reviews in Retrospect - IPQ's critics pick the best...

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/18

A look back at the Winter 1999 issue of International Piano Quarterly (now International Piano), when twelve critics were asked to pick their top piano releases for 1998, as well as to mention recordings they’d like to see reissued. How many of these reissue requests came to pass over the next 27 years? And have their 1998 top release choices stood the test of time?Here are links to some of the recordings discussed:The William Kapell Edition -

8:50

Cyprien Katsaris' Beethoven Odyssey

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/15

An adventurous six-CD box set containing original piano works by Beethoven, plus chamber and orchestral repertoire in rare solo piano transcriptions, all brilliantly served up by Cyprien Katsaris.Link to the recordings: https://www.amazon.com/Chronological-Odyssey-Cyprien-Katsaris/dp/B081WQS75L

14:05

Ripe for Reissue - Four Out-of-Print Piano Box Sets...

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/11

Here's a rebroadcast of Season Two Episode 60: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=TzArJYgJqdEAnnerose Schmidt plays Mozart's Complete Piano Concertos (Berlin Classics, 10 CDs). Link to purchase - https://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Piano-Concertos-Wolfgang-Amadeus/dp/B0036ULAY6France Clidat plays Liszt (Decca, 14 CDs). Link to listen to Hungarian Rhapsodies No.s 1-10 -

8:05

Arrau at the Ambassador

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/08

Jed discusses Claudio Arrau: The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals, Pasadena, California, USA, 1977, 1981 and 1986 - a five CD set containing previously unpublished performances by one of the 20th century's most singular pianists. For more information, visit First Hand's website: https://firsthandrecords.com/products-page/album/claudio-arrau-the-ambassador-auditorium-recitals-pasadena-california-usa-1977-1982-1986-5cd/

16:29

Still Another Box Set Wish List

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/04

Here is yet another list of ten piano box sets that Jed would like to see released in the future, although whether or not his wish will come true is an open question! Pianists discussed include Gina Bachauer, Tamas Vasary, Rafael Orozco, Bruce Hungerford, Rudolf Firkusny, Sequeira Costas, Cyprien Katsaris and a special edition of piano recordings issued in the 1950s by the American M-G-M label.Links to earlier Box Set Wish List

8:33

Rachmaninov Concertos Under the Radar

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/12/01

Jed talks about recordings of Rachmaninov’s Four Concertos and Paganini Rhapsody that fall “under the radar" according to him, yet have great value and interest. Here are links to the pianists and their interpretations:Concerto No. 1: Tamas Vasary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRvbD20edYU&list=PLyrANGPNARULY0PWEc0R3HuZNfRP2oD9L&index=1Concerto No. 2: Julius Katchen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Evhp3hO1U&list=PLJhYe4hsVJRdwFJnYM10LPS21E4A21ZVB&index=3Concerto No. 3: Mirka

13:49

Thanksgiving Turkeys (rebroadcast)

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/11/27

By request, a rebroadcast of 2024's Thanksgiving "Turkeys" episode! Here are some genuine piano "turkeys" to consider, or perhaps to avoid, with links below:For Valery Afanassiev's Beethoven, check out Victor Carr, Jr.'s review: https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-11451/. For commentary about Rita Bouboulidi's Beethoven Sonata cycle, visit this link: https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?topic=23626.0

6:05

Volodos in Vienna

The Piano Maven with Jed Distler ·

2025/11/24

Jed discusses Arcadi Volodos' 2009 Vienna Recital released by Sony Classical, one of this pianist's finest recordings:Excerpts:Scriabin Prelude Op. 11 No. 16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m0hFO3yvyALiszt Dante Sonata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZYJvX8Ruck

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