The Pianist Podcast

Actor, broadcaster, writer and classical music critic Jeremy Nicholas talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new book, The Great Piano Makers. He also shares his passion for Liszt, as well as his fascination with the piano repertoire of the more unknown composers – particularly Charles-Valentin Alkan – and explains his own musical journey from learning by ear as a teenager to composing.

In this podcast, the Ukrainian-born pianist GéNIA talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her yoga-inspired piano method, which she says brings greater focus to one’s playing and helps small hands stretch further.

In this podcast, Chenyin Li talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her role as house pianist for each Pianist magazine album. She talks about the recording process from start to end, how she’s discovered so many fascinating gems of piano music during these past 15 years of recordings, and what she’s learned by being Pianist’s pianist.

In this podcast, Alexandra Dariescu speaks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her upcoming debut at the BBC Proms on 5 August. She also talks about her childhood in Romania, championing the piano music by women composers, and why we should always begin our practice sessions of a piece with the most difficult part first!

In this podcast, composer Will Bates speaks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his score for the film Tuner. He also talks about working with actors Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall, how he developed a unique sound using mallet-triggered MIDI devices attached to a ‘lobotomized’ piano, and why it’s important to understand the power of silence in film scoring.

In this podcast, Sir Stephen Hough talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his new release, Piano Postcards, out on the Hyperion label in July 2026. He also talks about a deep passion for the music of Chopin, managing a busy concert schedule, and why it’s so important for all pianists to write their fingerings onto the score.

In this podcast, Mark Viner talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his continued commitment to recording the complete piano music of Charles-Valentin Alkan. He also talks about the pros of being a later starter at the piano, the importance of teaching, and why an appreciation of harmony is essential for all pianists.

In this podcast, Isata Kanneh-Mason talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about her latest all-Prokofiev recording, which has just been released on the Decca label.

She also chats about her passion for bringing classical music to the young people of Antigua, growing up in a family of seven talented siblings, and why she’d love to have played for Chopin.

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.

As Chetham’s International Piano Summer School turns 25 this summer, founder Murray McLachlan talks to Erica Worth about his ongoing passion for creating a special place for all types of pianists. He also shares his thoughts on how to overcome technical hurdles, why we should all love every single note we play, and why we really need to listen… even to the silences.

With clients including Mitsuko Uchida, Paul Lewis and Sir András Schiff, ‘tuner to the stars’ Ulrich Gerhartz talks to Erica Worth about his role as Director, Concert and Artists Services, Steinway & Sons – a profession he’s been proudly enjoying for exactly 40 years.

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, Danny Driver talks to Pianist editor Erica Worth about his current Variation Series at London’s Wigmore Hall. He also discusses what it was like to have lessons with Maria Curcio, why he’s passionate about Ligeti, and how he’d have loved to play for Rachmaninov.

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, 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.