The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

In this episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Han Chen joins TPP for a deep conversation about virtuosity, vision, and what it means to build something meaningful in today’s classical music landscape.Han Chen is a GRAMMY Award–nominated pianist known for his fearless approach to some of the most demanding repertoire in the piano canon — from György Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études to Beethoven’s Hammerklavier. His recent recording of Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with conductor John Jeter and the Malmö Opera Orchestra has brought renewed attention to one of the most compelling American concertos of the 20th century.Beyond performance, Han is also a curator and creator. His large-scale project Infinite Staircase pairs all 18 Ligeti Études with 18 newly commissioned works by living composers, expanding the repertoire while rethinking what a piano program can be.This episode offers a rare look into the mind of a pianist who is not only performing at the highest level, but actively shaping the future of classical music.In This Episode, We Talk AboutFlorence Price and the legacy of her Piano ConcertoLigeti’s Complete Piano Études and technical/interpretive challengesInfinite Staircase — a 36-work project pairing Ligeti with new commissionsCreative programming as artistic identityCommissioning new music and working with living composersJuilliard training and mentorship under Yoheved KaplinskyExpanding the role of the pianist in today’s classical music worldLearn More About Han ChenWebsiteInstagramMeet Our Guest: Han Chen The Piano PodBecome a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive ContentSubscribe to the Season 6 Piano Playlist — a collection of every piano work mentioned throughout the episodes Join Our NewsletterWebsiteInstagramFacebook🔗 All Links

Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode with GRAMMY-nominated pianist Han Chen.From mastering Ligeti to building Infinite Staircase, this conversation goes beyond performance — into vision, risk, and creating something that lasts. 🎥 Premieres tonight at 8 PM ET: https://youtu.be/2JqDeHYSk58?si=QgFPTfWf0ch_7WBl 🎧 Audio: https://linktr.ee/thepianopodaudio Read Our Blog: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-han-chen-concert-pianist?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

Accents of Love: Vivian Fang Liu on Artistry, Belonging, and Music for the Next GenerationThe Piano Pod — Season 6, Episode 13In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, singer-songwriter, composer, educator, and music researcher Vivian Fang Liu joins host Yukimi Song for a powerful conversation about identity, creativity, and the role of music in shaping the next generation.Vivian Fang Liu is a classically trained pianist whose work spans classical performance, cross-genre songwriting, children’s music, and music education research. Her award-winning children’s album Accents of Love (2023) invites young listeners to celebrate their voices, languages, and identities through imaginative storytelling and vibrant musical production.Throughout the conversation, Vivian shares the inspiration behind her children’s music, her journey immigrating to the United States at age fifteen, and how themes of belonging, cultural identity, and resilience shape both her artistry and her educational work.This episode explores how music can empower children to embrace who they are while also building bridges across cultures and communities.Listen to Vivian Fang LiuChinese Pop OriginalChildren's MusicBelongI Is LoveTalk to the Fishes with Your Inner VoiceSilenceAll Accents Are ArtLearn More About Vivian Fang LiuWebsite Instagram SpotifyMeet Our Guest: Vivian Fang Liu https://substack.com/home/post/p-190096545The Piano Pod💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content 📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 Website

Here is the trailer for our upcoming episode of The Piano Pod.Concert pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer Vivian Fang Liu joins us for a powerful conversation about music, identity, and belonging.From her award-winning children’s albums to cross-genre artistry shaped by classical piano, Vivian shares how her work brings together performance, storytelling, and education to empower the next generation.🎥 Full episode premieres tonight, March 17, at 8 PM ET on YouTube.https://youtu.be/bH4YCXAZX5M🎧 The audio episode will be released simultaneously on all podcast platforms.We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring conversation.#ThePianoPod #VivianFangLiu #AccentsOfLove #PodcastPremiere #MusicAndIdentity

Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book. From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this episode explores what it means to create — and remain human — in a rapidly changing world. Performed by pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev, Sapiens translates big philosophical questions into sound, structure, and silence. This conversation moves from macro-history to the deeply personal — from Detroit and electric guitar to leading major recording labels — and ultimately asks: What allows music to endure? 📺 Watch the 2/1/24 premiere of A Brief History of Humankind at Klavierhaus, NYC (Vladimir Rumyantsev) HERE🎧 Listen to Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for Solo Piano 📺 Watch the Trailer for Recorder Concerto “A Pacifying Weapon” (Recorder: Michala Petri | Royal Danish Academy of Music Concert Band | Jean Thorel)📚 Read “Release Rationale, Why and Why Now” From Harari’s sweeping vision of human history to the realities of AI in today’s music industry, this episode centers on one enduring question: How do we remain authentic — and human — in the age of acceleration? If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share to support independent classical media. [SEAN HICKEY - Composer and Record Label Executive] 🌐 Website: https://seanhickey.com 📝 Read our blog about Sean[THE PIANO POD] 💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content https://thepianopod.substack.com 📫 Join Our Newsletter https://thepianopod.substack.com/subscribe/ 🌐 Website https://thepianopod.com 📱 Follow The Piano Pod https://linktr.ee/thepianopod Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.

🎥 Here is the trailer for our new eps featuring Sean Hickey, Composer/Record Label Executive Composer Sean Hickey joins The Piano Pod to discuss Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind for the Piano — his monumental piano cycle inspired by Yuval Noah Harari’s bestselling book.From imagined orders and human cooperation to empire, biology, AI, and the future of artistic sustainability, this conversation explores what it means to create — and remain human — in a rapidly accelerating world.Performed by pianist Vladimir Rumyantsev, Sapiens translates sweeping philosophical questions into sound, structure, and silence.This episode moves from macro-history to the deeply personal — from Detroit and electric guitar to leading major international record labels — and ultimately asks:What allows music to endure?📆 Join the premiere tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24, at 8:00 PM ET. 📺 Set a reminder and join us live via YouTube: https://youtu.be/sx0nR48wNYg🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platforms: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudio📖 Read our blog review on Substack: https://thepianopod.substack.com/p/meet-our-guest-sean-hickey-composer

This surprise bonus episode was created in collaboration with Mannes School of Music at The New School.In this conversation, I sit down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — to explore what it truly means to build artists in today’s musical and cultural moment.We discuss serious piano study, long-term mentorship, artistic identity, and the role institutions play in shaping the next generation of musicians.Toward the end of the episode, you will also hear from Jiwon Yang, current Mannes graduate student and First Prize winner of the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, sharing her experience studying in downtown Manhattan and participating in the festival.🎹 Mannes International Piano Festival📝 Festival Application🏫 Mannes School of Music at The New School📝 Meet Our Guest — Pavlina Dokovska: ABOUT THE PIANO POD💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content📫 Join Our Newsletter🌐 TPP Website📱 Follow The Piano Pod🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, mentorship, and the future of classical music.

🚨 Bonus Episode Drops TonightHere’s the trailer.Building Artists Through Music & Mentorship with Pavlina DokovskaWhat does it really take to build an artist?In this special collaboration, The Piano Pod sits down with Pavlina Dokovska — internationally active concert pianist, Chair of the Piano Department at Mannes School of Music, and Artistic Director of the Mannes International Piano Festival — for a candid conversation on serious piano study, mentorship, and artistic formation.We discuss:• Why long-term training still matters • Balancing rigor and humanity in teaching • How community shapes resilient musicians • The vision behind the Mannes International Piano FestivalYou’ll also hear from Jiwon Yang, a Mannes graduate student and First Prize winner of the George and Elizabeth Gregory Concerto Competition, on what it feels like to train in an environment defined by intensity and support.🎧 Premiering tonight at 8:00 PM ET 📺 YouTube: https://youtu.be/pMt6Jb-zOD4 🎙 Audio platforms: https://linktr.ee/ThePianoPodAudioA conversation about leadership, responsibility, and how artists are formed.