The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

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

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

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

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

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