The Piano Maven with Jed Distler

Andrei Gavrilov's Complete Warner Recordings

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about [https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about]), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven [https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven] The long awaited 21-CD box set “Andrei Gavrilov – The Complete Warner Classics Recordings” recently dropped, and Jed has been reconnecting with some of its contents, while discovering items that he missed when they first were released. Gavrilov could be both stunning and infuriating, and one never knew which side of his complex persona would turn up on each release. But to say that he was a virtuoso is like saying that Niagara Falls has water. Here are some audio excerpts from this collection: Rachmaninov: Prelude in B-flat Major Op. 23 No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSegyiHDr4w [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSegyiHDr4w] Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uaj-YlmG0k [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uaj-YlmG0k] Chopin Etudes & Ballades - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsCYJeh024&list=PLJULKzY28M2uQ6oKhoioP1gTOyeDp4PGd [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRsCYJeh024&list=PLJULKzY28M2uQ6oKhoioP1gTOyeDp4PGd]

Michael Kaykov's Lovely Liszt

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven Podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about [https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about]), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven [https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven] Volume 69 in Naxos’ slowly but surely growing complete Liszt piano works cycle introduces the fabulous Lisztian Michael Kaykov to the series with a collection of piano pieces based on choral works. Here's a link to the CD: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9862444--liszt-complete-piano-music-vol-69?srsltid=AfmBOoql6erDpTuGvoYEcfWOJWFvOq1HAO5wuUdgRmwIimE47bqxWhTU [https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9862444--liszt-complete-piano-music-vol-69?srsltid=AfmBOoql6erDpTuGvoYEcfWOJWFvOq1HAO5wuUdgRmwIimE47bqxWhTU] Here’s a link to Michael Kaykov’s 2023 all-Liszt recital at Klavierhaus in NYC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJLMFwG8CU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJLMFwG8CU]

Behzod Abduraimov's Towering "Inferno"

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about [https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about]), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven [https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven] Jed positively kvells over Behzod Abduraimov’s latest solo release “Inferno,” which features works by Czerny, Liszt, Debussy and Stravinsky. Here’s a link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EskcWGtjK6E&list=OLAK5uy_lCKv3FweBlfLaPEAXazkGsmtt9JCBlDXs&index=2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EskcWGtjK6E&list=OLAK5uy_lCKv3FweBlfLaPEAXazkGsmtt9JCBlDXs&index=2]

The 2025 Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition Four-CD set

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about [https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about]), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven [https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven] Jed listens to a four-CD release devoted to performances from the 2025 Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition featuring winners and laureates. (Order here: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9781374--queen-elisabeth-competition-piano-2025?srsltid=AfmBOor6c3a50lT0B5sBekufIIPg1PZCz81lmnUD9hdJtrjb58UbH8Cz [https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9781374--queen-elisabeth-competition-piano-2025?srsltid=AfmBOor6c3a50lT0B5sBekufIIPg1PZCz81lmnUD9hdJtrjb58UbH8Cz]) There’s a lot of good music making to savor….. Here are a few video links for performances included in this box: Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxsolOqudqI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxsolOqudqI] Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDi0ZdLYclI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDi0ZdLYclI] Mozart Piano Concerto No. 27 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I6e6v9mCMc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I6e6v9mCMc] Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmeTysqpgII [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmeTysqpgII] PLUS an alternate performance of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 not in the box that Jed prefers!!!! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q6DGZnRES4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q6DGZnRES4]

Backhaus' Beethoven Diabelli Variations Reconsidered

Consider taking out a paid subscription to The Piano Maven podcast via our Substack page (https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about [https://jeddistlermusic.substack.com/about]), which you also can access by clicking on the "Donate" button here: https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven [https://rss.com/podcasts/pianomaven] Reconnecting with Wilhelm Backhaus’ 1954 recording of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, Jed shares his recent thoughts about this vintage interpretation, for which we’ve provided a link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ud7EwbPaY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0ud7EwbPaY]