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Recent Interviews
Seong-Jin_Cho_1_086-2000x1328-2.jpg
December 8, 2022
Seong-Jin Cho (Part II)
December 8, 2022
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December 8, 2022
Ynchan Lim.large.jpg
September 15, 2022
Yun-chan Lim
September 15, 2022
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September 15, 2022
Seong-Jin_Cho-Hoffmann.jpg
May 9, 2017
Seong-Jin Cho
May 9, 2017
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May 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
Lucas Debargue
February 9, 2017

Winner of the Critics' Award at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the latest pianistic phenomenon: on Jazz, his ear training, music critics, and ideals in Art.

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February 9, 2017
November 12, 2015
Leif Ove Andsnes
November 12, 2015

One of the most in-demand pianists in the world, The Wall Street Journal calls him "one of the most gifted musicians of his generation,": on the advantages of today's artists, Beethoven, the Ojai Music Festival, and why he has never recorded Medtner.

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November 12, 2015
October 29, 2015
Thomas Adès
October 29, 2015

Conductor, pianist, and one of the finest composers of our time: on the influence of Chopin, Vienna as music capital of the world, pop music, and his creative process.

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October 29, 2015
February 11, 2015
Charles Dutoit
February 11, 2015

Artistic director and principal conductor of the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, former artistic director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra: on the effects of commercialism, the study of Music, and the events leading to his departure from Montreal.

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February 11, 2015
September 19, 2014
Leon Fleisher
September 19, 2014

"The pianistic find of the century", winner of the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium competition (1952): on today's music critics, the music of Beethoven, Horowitz, and music education.

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September 19, 2014
April 14, 2014
Michael Hersch
April 14, 2014

Pulitzer-winning music critic Tim Page calls him "a natural musical genius". The head of composition at the Peabody Institute: on the duty of performers, pop-music, and his First String Quartet ("Images from a Closed Ward").

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April 14, 2014
February 14, 2014
Paul Jacobs
February 14, 2014

Chair of the organ department at the Juilliard School, Grammy winner (2011): on the essence of a piece of music, the ability to listen critically, and Glenn Gould at the organ.

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February 14, 2014
January 29, 2014
Hélène Grimaud
January 29, 2014

An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist since 2002, she caught the attention of the music world when at the age of fifteen, she won France's Grand Prix du disque: on early lessons with Pierre Barbizet, the Brahms Piano Concerto in D minor, and final thoughts on the late maestro Claudio Abbado.

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January 29, 2014
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November 22, 2013
Marina Mdivani
November 22, 2013

The first female Soviet instrumentalist to perform in North America, pupil of Emil Gilels and winner of the 1961 Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud competition: on hearing the Russian debut of a then-unknown Glenn Gould, studies with Gilels, and her Carnegie Hall debut scheduled the day of President Kennedy's assassination.

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November 22, 2013
November 8, 2013
Marc-André Hamelin
November 8, 2013

An Officer of the Order of Canada, virtuoso of uncommon ability, his recorded output is both daunting and a monumental contribution to musical art: on musical beginnings, piano technique, his repertoire and Medtner. 

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November 8, 2013
October 18, 2013
Zsolt Bognár
October 18, 2013

The host and creative director of "Living the Classical Life", prize-winning student of Sergei Babayan: on the impetus for his show, problems with the recording industry, Martha Argerich, his neighbour and fellow Babayan student, Daniil Trifonov.

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October 18, 2013
October 4, 2013
Gary Graffman
October 4, 2013

President and director of the Curtis Institute for over two decades, former pupil of Isabella Vengerova and Vladimir Horowitz, teacher of Yuja Wang and Lang Lang: on pianism today, the criticism of Lang Lang, and his memories of Art Tatum, Vladimir Horowitz and Glenn Gould.

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October 4, 2013
January 7, 2013
Yo-Yo Ma
January 7, 2013

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011) and eighteen Grammys, the former student of Leonard Rose: on virtuosity, the importance of traditions, Vladimir Horowitz, and more.

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January 7, 2013
August 13, 2012
Jerome Lowenthal
August 13, 2012

Piano professor at Juilliard, a former student of William Kapell, Eduard Steuermann and Alfred Cortot: on tone production, Vladimir Horowitz, and the link between various art forms.

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August 13, 2012
February 18, 2012
Daniil Trifonov
February 18, 2012

Winner of the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, the International Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv: on his musical roots, Vladimir Horowitz, Lang Lang, and his musical memory.

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February 18, 2012
February 4, 2012
Garrick Ohlsson
February 4, 2012

The only American to win the International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw, the native of White Plains, New York is also a Grammy winner: on his teacher Rosinna Lhevinne, Lang Lang, and comparing Chopin and Liszt.

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February 4, 2012
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January 26, 2012
George Li
January 26, 2012

Silver medalist at the 2015 Tchaikovsky competition, George Li made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of eleven. The Washington Post said, “There is no question 16-year-old pianist George Li has prodigious talent…he combines staggering technical prowess, a sense of command and depth of expression,”. 

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January 26, 2012
January 14, 2012
Ingolf Wunder
January 14, 2012

Second Prize winner at the 2010 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition: on musical beginnings, Adam Harasiewicz, and his motivation before and after the 2005 and 2010 Chopin competitions.

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January 14, 2012
January 4, 2012
Cyprien Katsaris
January 4, 2012

He ranks firmly among the finest that have ever played the piano. Winner of the International Cziffra Competition at Versailles.

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January 4, 2012
September 22, 2011
Dang Thai Son
September 22, 2011

Winner of the 1980 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw: on growing up in war-torn Vietnam, Lang Lang, Trifonov, and being the first pianist of Asian descent to win a major international music competition.

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September 22, 2011
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July 22, 2011
Alessio Bax
July 22, 2011

Winner of the Leeds International Pianoforte competition (2000) and the Hamamatsu International Piano competition (1997): on pianistic idols, Brahms, and the young artists who have made an impression on him.

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July 22, 2011

Recent Articles
sf chronicle (Pianist Seong-Jin Cho, a musical force around the globe, to make Berkeley debut).jpg
December 6, 2022
SF Chronicle: Pianist Seong-Jin Cho, a musical force around the globe, to make Berkeley debut
December 6, 2022

A conversation with Pianist Seong-Jin Cho and his teacher, Shin Soojung.

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December 6, 2022
sfcv (The Desire for Risk: Yunchan Lim at Steinway Society).jpg
September 27, 2022
SFCV: The Desire for Risk: Yunchan Lim at Steinway Society
September 27, 2022

Our review of pianist Yunchan Lim’s West Coast debut: Brahms Ballades Op. 10, Mendelssohn Fantasy Op. 28, Liszt ‘Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata’.

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September 27, 2022
mercury news ('Absolute superstar' pianist, 18, makes West Coast debut in San Jose).jpg
September 15, 2022
Bay Area News Group: 'Absolute superstar' pianist, 18, makes West Coast debut
September 15, 2022

An exchange with pianist Yun-chan Lim, ahead of his California debut: on his spectacular Cliburn performance, musical influences, and memorable moments in Art.

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September 15, 2022
kqed (piano virtuoso george li rises above the child prodigy label).jpg
August 5, 2021
KQED: Piano Virtuoso George Li Rises Above the 'Child Prodigy' Label
August 5, 2021

A conversation with pianist George Li and his teacher, Wha Kyung Byun, about Mozart and talent.

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August 5, 2021
sf chronicle (Jonathan Biss is obsessed with Beethoven. What he's learned might surprise you).jpg
September 19, 2019
SF Chronicle: Jonathan Biss, the Beethoven Sonatas
September 19, 2019

A conversation with pianist Jonathan Biss and Leon Fleisher on the Beethoven Piano Sonatas.

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September 19, 2019
sf chronicle (Piano legend Leon Fleisher celebrates 90th birthday with a concert).jpg
February 3, 2019
SF Chronicle: Leon Fleisher at 90
February 3, 2019

Conversations with Gary Graffman, Jerome Lowenthal, Garrick Ohlsson and Jonathan Biss - on the living legend, Leon Fleisher, at 90.

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February 3, 2019
kqed (leon fleisher turns 90) copy.jpg
July 23, 2018
KQED: Leon Fleisher at 90
July 23, 2018

Conversations with Gary Graffman, Jerome Lowenthal, Garrick Ohlsson and Jonathan Biss - on the living legend, Leon Fleisher, at 90.

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July 23, 2018
mercury news (Korean wunderkind pianist ready to dazzle in San Jose).jpg
May 24, 2018
Bay Area News Group: Seong-Jin Cho in San Jose
May 24, 2018

A conversation with pianist Seong-Jin Cho, gold medalist of the 2015 International Fryderyk Chopin Piano competition in Warsaw. Additional remarks by Alessio Bax and Dang Thai Son.

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May 24, 2018
mercury news (Game-changing young pianist comes to San Jose recital).jpg
December 5, 2017
Bay Area News Group: Fremont’s Daniel Hsu breathing fresh air into age-old piano traditions
December 5, 2017

A conversation with pianist Daniel Hsu, 2017 prize winner at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Additional remarks by Gary Graffman and Dang Thai Son.

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December 5, 2017
mercury news (Alma Deutscher, stunning music prodigy, comes to San Jose).jpg
November 27, 2017
Bay Area News Group: Music world buzzing over 12-year-old composer coming to San Jose
November 27, 2017

A conversation with composer with David Ludwig, chair of composition at the Curtis Institute, and Alasdair Neale, former music director of the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra: on 12-year-old phenomenon, Alma Deutscher.

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November 27, 2017
KQED (Trifonov takes music world by storm).jpg
October 27, 2017
KQED: Wunderkind Daniil Trifonov Takes Classical Music World by Storm
October 27, 2017

A conversation with pianist Daniil Trifonov: on realizing his potential, devotion to composition, and the importance of rest. Additional comments by Sergei Babayan and Zsolt Bognar.

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October 27, 2017
mercury news(2017 Van Cliburn winner ready to dazzle at South Bay recital).jpg
October 4, 2017
Bay Area News Group: Superstar Korean pianist, modest as ever, comes to Bay Area recital
October 4, 2017

A conversation with Yekwon Sunwoo, winner of the 2017 Van Cliburn competition. Additional remarks from Juilliard professor, Robert McDonald, and President and CEO of the Cliburn, Jacques Marquis.

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October 4, 2017
mercury news (Symphony Silicon Valley showcases pianists Alessio Bax, Orion Weiss).jpg
March 18, 2017
Bay Area News Group: Symphony Silicon Valley showcases pianists Alessio Bax and Orion Weiss
March 18, 2017

A review of Alessio Bax and Orion Weiss performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 10 K365 with Symphony Silicon Valley.

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March 18, 2017
kqed (Meet Lucas Debargue, the Young Classical Pianist Breaking All the Rules).jpg
February 9, 2017
KQED: Meet Lucas Debargue, the Young Pianist Breaking All the Rules
February 9, 2017

A conversation with pianist Lucas Debargue, the latest phenomenon of the piano world.

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February 9, 2017
mercury news ('Barber of Seville' is a thriller of an opera in San Jose).jpg
November 14, 2016
Bay Area News Group: 'Barber of Seville' is a thriller of an opera in San Jose
November 14, 2016

A review of Opera San Jose's production of Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia'.

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November 14, 2016
kqed (On SF Symphony's First Trip to Korea, a Family Legacy Comes Full Circle).jpg
November 11, 2016
KQED: On SF Symphony’s First Trip to Korea, a Family Legacy Comes Full Circle
November 11, 2016

A conversation with San Francisco Symphony violinist, Kum Mo Kim, on her father - the man who brought classical music to Korea.

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November 11, 2016
kqed ('Insanely Beautiful' Scriabin Concerto Gets Rare Performance in San Jose).jpg
October 20, 2016
KQED: 'Insanely Beautiful' Scriabin Concerto Gets Rare Performance in San Jose
October 20, 2016

A conversation with pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Kirill Gerstein and Nikolai Demidenko: on Alexander Scriabin’s ravishing Piano Concerto Op. 20, and why it’s underplayed.

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October 20, 2016
mercury news ('Lucia di Lammermoor' opens Opera San Jose season).jpg
September 13, 2016
Bay Area News Group: 'Lucia di Lammermoor' opens Opera San Jose Season
September 13, 2016

A review of Opera San Jose's production of Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor'.

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September 13, 2016
kqed (What's Wrong With Mozart? Pianist Jan Lisiecki, 21, Asks the Same Question).jpg
June 6, 2016
KQED: 'What's Wrong With Mozart ? Pianist, Jan Lisiecki, 21, Asks The Same Question'
June 6, 2016

A conversation with pianist Jan Lisiecki and his teacher, Marc Durand, before his San Francisco Symphony debut: on Mozart and talent.

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June 6, 2016
kqed ('It's a Matter of Energy': Sasha Cooke on Mahler's Greatest Work).jpg
April 5, 2016
KQED: 'It's a Matter of Energy': Sasha Cooke on Mahler's Greatest Work
April 5, 2016

A conversation with mezzo-soprano, Sasha Cooke, on singing Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde'.

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April 5, 2016
kqed ('What's Between the Notes': Jeremy Denk's Boundary-Pushing Recital).jpg
March 10, 2016
KQED: 'What's between the notes': Jeremy Denk's Boundary-Pushing Recital
March 10, 2016

A conversation with pianist Jeremy Denk: on Jazz, Art Tatum, Conlon Nancarrow, and the effects of pop music on classical performers.

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March 10, 2016
mercury news (Review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center quartet delivers an exquisite recital for Music@Menlo).jpg
February 12, 2016
Bay Area News Group: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center quartet delivers an exquisite recital for Music@Menlo
February 12, 2016

A review of musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in works by Beethoven, Dvořák and Dohnányi.

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February 12, 2016
mercury news (Review: ‘Tosca’ enchants in Opera San Jose opener).jpg
September 13, 2015
Bay Area News Group: 'Tosca' enchants in Opera San Jose opener
September 13, 2015

A review of Opera San Jose's production of Puccini's "Tosca".

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September 13, 2015
mercury news (Review: Schubert’s end-of-life masterpieces bring Music@Menlo fest to a compelling close).jpg
August 9, 2015
Bay Area News Group: Schubert's end-of-life masterpieces bring Music@Menlo fest to a compelling close
August 9, 2015

A review of Music@Menlo's season-ending performance of Schubert.

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August 9, 2015
 “ To dearest Alexander Samoilovich Petrokovsky, with all best memories of our meeting in Tiflis, ” - March 22, 1924.
August 1, 2015
A 1924 Review: Vladimir Horowitz in recital, Tiflis, Georgia
August 1, 2015

A review from 1924 in the “Zarya Vostoka” Russian newspaper covers three Horowitz recitals that took place in the Small Hall of the Conservatory in Tbilisi (formerly Tiflis), Georgia...

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August 1, 2015

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