The Pianist Podcast

In this podcast, Indrek Laul, CEO of Laul Estonia Pianos, discusses the company's history and its recent expansion into the UK market through a partnership with Coach House Pianos. He also talks about his musical background as a pianist who studied at The Juilliard School – and we get to hear all about the launch event on May 7th at Coach House Pianos in London, where Indrek and his team will introduce their pianos to UK audiences.

Born without a right hand, British pianist Nicholas McCarthy talks about his unique musical achievements with Pianist editor Erica Worth. These include his being the first left-hand-only pianist to graduate from London’s Royal College of Music, his recent Proms debut in 2025, the launch of ABRSM’s graded syllabus for one hand, and much more.

In this Pianist Podcast, Italian pianist Alessio Bax talks about his role as Artistic Director at the first London Festival of Chamber Music which takes place at London’s Smith Square Hall. At the end of March. Bax discussed his career journey from his early studies in Bari, Italy, to winning the Leeds Competition at age 22 and beyond. Bax also shares insights about his approach to piano technique, his passion for cooking and how he can never tire of learning and playing the Beethoven sonatas.

In this podcast, Jessica Duchen talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her new biography, Myra Hess: National Treasure. She enjoys talking about all the legendary pianists she’s interviewed over the years (and yes, there are some great stories) and why she decided that – having studied the piano seriously as a student – the career of a professional pianist wasn’t for her.

In this podcast, Paul Wee talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his unique double career – that of barrister and pianist. He also talks about why he’s turned to the late sonatas of Beethoven for his latest album, the challenges of having small hands, and the reasons why he’s not yet ready to tackle Schumann.

In this podcast, Lucy Parham talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her Composer Portrait series and all the many actors she works with. She also explains why teaching the piano plays such an important role in her musical life, how learning to play a good simple cantabile melody is just as ‘difficult’ as playing a prestissimo run, and – even if she can’t live without his music – why she’ll leave Bach to the experts.

In this podcast, Anna Geniushene talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her recent release, Opus 1, which includes the first Opus works by composers Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schumann, Berg and Brahms. Anna also explains why she’s not yet ready to tackle Bach, what it’s like being married to a fellow concert pianist, and why we should all accept our imperfections at the piano.

In this podcast, Clare Hammond talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her latest album – of British Piano Concertos by Britten, Walton and Tippett – which was released this month on the BIS label. Clare also talks about her passion for off-the-beaten-track repertoire, the technical issues of learning left-hand repertoire, and why it’s so important to bring music to a wider audience.

In this podcast, Dominic Ferris and Ugne Peistaraite talk discuss Performance Anxiety and Emotional Intelligence. They talk through such topics as: the importance of practising performing, how to deal with audience distractions mid-performance (such as a phone ringing), looking at anxiety as something positive (rather than negative), how to learn from mistakes in performance and focusing on being in the moment and not the anxiety beforehand.And who knew there were similarities between giving a piano performance, performing surgery and flying a plane? All is revealed.

In this podcast Yevgeny Sudbin talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his fascination with Scriabin’s soundworld, how playing live and making recordings are two totally different art forms, and why lockdown was so very tough on his soul. Plus, his one important piece of advice for amateur pianists on how to improve at the piano: Find the right teacher.

In this podcast Kathryn Page talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about the popular Adult Amateur course at Chetham’s International Summer School for Pianists, her musically-talented family, and her student days of inspiring lessons from Yonty Solomon.

In this podcast, Graham Fitch talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about the joys of teaching all types of pianists and why he always knew that teaching was his vocation. He also discusses how he helps other piano teachers improve their own teaching methods, why he loves being a judge for music festivals across the UK, plus he offers up invaluable advice for amateurs on how to improve.

In this podcast, Melanie Spanswick talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her various publications, including her latest releases for Schott Music, and what it’s like teaching – and writing for – adult amateur pianists. Melanie also talks about her popular ‘Adult Piano Returners’ Facebook group, championing repertoire by women composers, and she offers up advice for adult beginners and returners of all levels on how to improve their playing.To find more about Melanie Spanswick’s publications, visit schottmusiclondon.com/pianistmagazine