Soundboard

Soundboard

Steinway & Sons

Soundboard features conversations on artistry and craftsmanship between Ben Finane, Director of Content at Steinway & Sons, and distinguished pianists, musicians, artists, and creatives. Soundboard seeks out inspiration, hones in on the creative process, parses influences, and attempts to diagnose artistic greatness.

Soundboard: John Paul Jones

Soundboard: John Paul Jones

'Willingness To Do Different Things' Steinway Artist John Paul Jones, live from Big Ears Festival, talks about his influences, his sound, and his process.

Jul 12, 2024 • 33:02

Soundboard: Christian McBride

Soundboard: Christian McBride

'Jazz Gives The Thinking Person A Place To Go' Jazz bassist Christian McBride, live from Big Ears Festival, talks post-bop, remaining a bass-player-for-hire, bass-on-bass action, preparation, and jazz as democracy.

May 10, 2024 • 23:19

Soundboard: Jason Moran

Soundboard: Jason Moran

'The Magic Is The Dedication' Jazz pianist and Steinway Artist Jason Moran, live from Big Ears Festival, talks hip hop, the next generation, the algorithm, Monk & Duke, visual art, and creative approach.

Apr 20, 2024 • 31:54

Soundboard: Chessbrah

Soundboard: Chessbrah

‘There Are Different Ways of Getting Good’ Grandmasters Aman Hambleton and Eric Hansen, the principal hosts of Chessbrah, talk techno and chess and what makes Magnus Carlsen the GOAT.

Jul 19, 2023 • 35:02

Soundboard: Ádám György

Soundboard: Ádám György

‘Enjoy The Process of Getting Better’ Steinway Artist Ádám György will play his own transcription of the Union of European Football Associations Champions League Anthem at the UEFA Final Saturday June 10 in Istanbul. György joins Soundboard to discuss football and Franz Liszt.

Jun 8, 2023 • 21:24

Soundboard: Alexander Krichel

Soundboard: Alexander Krichel

‘You Should Try To Look Forward’ Steinway Artist Alexander Krichel joins Soundboard to celebrate Sergei Rachmaninoff's 150th birthday.

Apr 1, 2023 • 19:06

Soundboard: Anthony McGill

Soundboard: Anthony McGill

‘Music Can Tell That Story’ Anthony McGill takes us behind the scenes in his role as Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic and speaks to the wonders of chamber music.

Nov 24, 2022 • 29:17

Soundboard: Gerardo Teissonnière

Soundboard: Gerardo Teissonnière

‘And Then Came Beethoven’ Steinway Artist Gerardo Teissonnière discusses the wonder of Beethoven's Last Sonatas.

May 24, 2022 • 29:30

Soundboard: Andrew Rangell

Soundboard: Andrew Rangell

‘A Sophisticated Juggling Act’ Steinway Artist Andrew Rangell discusses the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach. His latest — of many — Bach releases is The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II on the Steinway & Sons label.

Apr 8, 2022 • 37:15

Soundboard: Karen Walwyn

Soundboard: Karen Walwyn

‘An Album of Beautiful Days’ Steinway Artist Dr. Karen Walwyn speaks to the legacy and vibrancy of African American composer Florence Price.

Feb 25, 2022 • 32:31

Soundboard: Rufus Wainwright

Soundboard: Rufus Wainwright

‘A Strange Osmosis’ Steinway Artist Rufus Wainwright takes us behind his live album with Amsterdam Sinfonietta.

Jan 24, 2022 • 21:53

Soundboard: Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Soundboard: Jean-Yves Thibaudet

‘To Make The Piano Sing’ Steinway Artist Jean-Yves Thibaudet discusses his latest album, CARTE BLANCHE, his ultimate goal of making the piano sing, and the utility of the sostenuto pedal.

Jan 7, 2022 • 42:49

Soundboard: Kristhyan Benitez

Soundboard: Kristhyan Benitez

‘Music Is Infinite’ Steinway Artist Kristhyan Benitez discusses the rich diaspora of Latin American piano music.

Sep 24, 2021 • 33:40

Soundboard: Branford Marsalis

Soundboard: Branford Marsalis

‘Always Look Them In The Eye’ Branford Marsalis joins Soundboard to discuss his Emmy®–nominated score for the History Channel documentary TULSA BURNING: THE 1921 RACE RIOT.

Aug 20, 2021 • 28:43

Soundboard: Tiffany Poon

Soundboard: Tiffany Poon

‘What If You Put Back The Human?’ Pianist Tiffany Poon discusses bringing humanism back to classical music via YouTube — and expresses her love for Robert and Clara Schumann.

Jul 23, 2021 • 26:22

Soundboard: Khatia Buniatishvili

Soundboard: Khatia Buniatishvili

‘There Is Some Kind of Rhythm Around Me’ The pianist Khatia Buniatishvili speaks to the intimacy of performance, finding her own rhythm, and her love for Schubert and Liszt.

Jul 9, 2021 • 38:29

Soundboard: On Alfred Brendel

Soundboard: On Alfred Brendel

‘A Quiet Legend’ Composer Daniel Felsenfeld wonders at the brilliance of Steinway Artist Alfred Brendel.

Jun 25, 2021 • 19:22

Soundboard: On Van Cliburn

Soundboard: On Van Cliburn

An Unforeseen Ambassador Steinway Immortal Van Cliburn and legacy of classical music in America

Jun 4, 2021 • 15:24

Soundboard: Kris Bowers

Soundboard: Kris Bowers

‘It's All Storytelling’ Steinway Artist and Emmy Award–winning composer Kris Bowers takes us inside penning the soundtracks to such projects as GREEN BOOK and BRIDGERTON.

May 22, 2021 • 30:57

Soundboard: Mahani Teave

Soundboard: Mahani Teave

‘I Feel I Have To Be Here’ Steinway Artist Mahani Teave hails from Rapa Nui, aka Easter Island. Teave is the first professional concert pianist from Rapa Nui. But after years spent concertizing all over the world, she returned to her island and founded a music school.

May 8, 2021 • 21:45

Soundboard: Ann Mincieli

Soundboard: Ann Mincieli

‘Using the Crayons in the Crayon Box’ Ann Mincieli is owner and operator of Jungle City Studios in New York City and longtime recording engineer for Alicia Keys. She takes us behind the scenes of a session in her studio.

Apr 9, 2021 • 25:54

Soundboard: Jeanne Golan

Soundboard: Jeanne Golan

‘Music Is Communication’ Steinway Artist Jeanne Golan takes us inside her latest release on the Steinway & Sons label, ‘It Takes One To Tango.’

Mar 26, 2021 • 23:05

Soundboard: Ray Angry

Soundboard: Ray Angry

‘Music Should Be Fun’ Steinway Artist Ray Angry takes us on his journey from classical pianist to polymath producer.

Mar 12, 2021 • 39:18

Soundboard: Sandy Jimenez

Soundboard: Sandy Jimenez

‘I Had Stories To Tell’ Comic book artist and writer Sandy Jimenez pens illustrated stories about the South Bronx. He joins Soundboard to discuss his craft.

Feb 19, 2021 • 34:45

Soundboard: John Corigliano

Soundboard: John Corigliano

‘Your Instinctual Moves’ Pulitzer Prize–winning composer and Steinway Artist John Corigliano talks about improvising at the keyboard, his compositional process, and a legacy of teaching.

Feb 5, 2021 • 32:34

Soundboard: Amir Siraj

Soundboard: Amir Siraj

Beethoven In The Lab Young Steinway Artist Amir Siraj is completing a dual degree in astrophysics and piano performance. His research has explored the moon, comets, asteroids, black holes, and, of course, Beethoven.

Jan 22, 2021 • 31:12

Soundboard: Anne-Sophie Mutter

Soundboard: Anne-Sophie Mutter

‘Wrestling With Scores’ The violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter speaks on arts advocacy, Beethoven, John Williams, and her process behind learning new music.

Jan 8, 2021 • 39:25

Soundboard: Isaac Mizrahi

Soundboard: Isaac Mizrahi

‘Owning A Life’ The fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi sees fashion as telling stories of women’s lives. He discusses the intersection of music and fashion, couture vs. QVC, his new concert series — and becoming himself.

Dec 4, 2020 • 33:25

Soundboard: Eric Whitacre

Soundboard: Eric Whitacre

‘Standing Still and Moving at the Speed of Light’ The Grammy Award–winning composer and conductor discusses how he writes choral music — as well as his influences and technological ventures.

Nov 11, 2020 • 32:38

Soundboard: Lauren Sclafani

Soundboard: Lauren Sclafani

‘Every Piano Is Different’ Piano Technician and Audio Engineer Lauren Sclafani discusses her craft.

Oct 29, 2020 • 32:10

Soundboard: Lenny Kravitz

Soundboard: Lenny Kravitz

‘It’s All Intertwined’ Singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist-rockstar-designer Lenny Kravitz talks inspiration for his music and for the Kravitz Grand Limited Edition from Steinway & Sons.

Oct 21, 2020 • 28:51

Soundboard: Kenneth Jones

Soundboard: Kenneth Jones

‘Building Muscle To Be A Dramatist’ New York City–based playwright Kenneth Jones discusses his craft — and the streaming premiere of his 2015 play ALABAMA STORY at Oak Ridge Playhouse.

Sep 24, 2020 • 39:03

Soundboard: Drew Magary

Soundboard: Drew Magary

Behind The Paywall Writer, novelist and columnist Drew Magary talks about the twenty-first-century shift in the media landscape and the launch of Defector, a new subscription-only sports blog and media company.

Sep 10, 2020 • 23:26

Soundboard: Christopher Tin

Soundboard: Christopher Tin

On Practical Composing The composer Christopher Tin, on the occasion of his latest release — To Shiver The Sky (Decca Gold) — speaks to keeping your music in listeners’ ears.

Aug 20, 2020 • 30:54

Soundboard: Michael Gallant

Soundboard: Michael Gallant

‘Losing Myself in the Music’ The pianist Michael Gallant discusses how he creates solo-piano covers of rock classics.

Jul 9, 2020 • 30:50

Soundboard: Ahmad Jamal

Soundboard: Ahmad Jamal

‘I Like To Go Forward’ Steinway Artist Ahmad Jamal discusses his influences and approach to music.

Jul 1, 2020 • 22:45

Soundboard: Vera Anselmo

Soundboard: Vera Anselmo

‘Feeling Happy, Just That’ Vera Anselmo, founder and artistic director of The Piano School of New York City, discusses music education for the underserved.

Jun 16, 2020 • 20:33

Soundboard: C. Brian Williams

Soundboard: C. Brian Williams

‘When The Drum Is Absent’ Step Afrika! founder and executive director C. Brian Williams holds forth on the tradition of stepping, a dance form that uses the body as an instrument.

Jun 9, 2020 • 25:37

Soundboard: Chad Lawson

Soundboard: Chad Lawson

"Quiet Instrumental Music" Composer and Steinway Artist Chad Lawson unpacks his philosophy behind his minimalist aesthetic.

Jun 2, 2020 • 37:45

Soundboard: Ramsey Lewis

Soundboard: Ramsey Lewis

‘I Almost Didn’t Do That Album!’ Steinway Artist and NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis reveals how he has benefited from remaining open to what could be.

May 26, 2020 • 23:13

Soundboard: Anny Hwang

Soundboard: Anny Hwang

'You Have To Groove' Steinway Artist Anny Hwang talks about making classical music more flexible and getting her Gershwin to groove.

May 19, 2020 • 20:25

Soundboard: Peter Bence

Soundboard: Peter Bence

Quality Over Quantity Pianist, composer, arranger, and producer Peter Bence discusses his approach to pop covers and composition — and how he built a YouTube following of millions.

May 12, 2020 • 25:29

Soundboard: Connie Han

Soundboard: Connie Han

Straight Ahead Steinway Artist Connie Han talks jazz influences and the importance of a jazz language we can all comprehend.

May 5, 2020 • 37:01

Soundboard: Matt Rollings

Soundboard: Matt Rollings

In Service of the Song Steinway Artist Matt Rollings discusses lessons learned from the many legends he has worked with over the course of his illustrious career as a pianist, composer, arranger and producer.

Apr 28, 2020 • 27:43

Soundboard: Pascal Rogé

Soundboard: Pascal Rogé

Debussy Pour Toujours Steinway Artist Pascal Rogé reveals why there is always more to say about Claude Debussy.

Feb 15, 2020 • 34:54

Soundboard: Vijay Iyer

Soundboard: Vijay Iyer

While We Barely Have This Moment Steinway Artist Vijay Iyer talks influence, responsibility, jazz, hip-hop, and the importance of right now.

Jan 27, 2020 • 43:49

Soundboard: Ric'key Pageot

Soundboard: Ric'key Pageot

On Tour with Madonna Steinway Artist Ric'key Pageot discusses performing with Madonna — and introduces us to speakeasy-soul / prohibition-funk.

Jan 9, 2020 • 23:59

Soundboard: Stephen Brown

Soundboard: Stephen Brown

A Scalable Christmas Stephen Brown is an avid crafter and crafty fellow who created Glitterville, which offers handcrafted ornaments for every occasion.

Dec 20, 2019 • 35:57

Soundboard: The 5 Browns

Soundboard: The 5 Browns

Making A Christmas Album Steinway Artists The 5 Browns are five sibling pianists who are also five Juilliard–trained pianists. They discuss playing together on their latest album, Christmas with The 5 Browns, available on the Steinway & Sons label.

Dec 5, 2019 • 22:03

Soundboard: Mason Bates

Soundboard: Mason Bates

The Psychology of Listening Grammy Award–winning composer Mason Bates speaks to the wedding of classical music and electronica.

Nov 21, 2019 • 32:31

Soundboard: Harry Connick, Jr.

Soundboard: Harry Connick, Jr.

Cole Porter Is the New Cole Porter Steinway Artist Harry Connick, Jr. takes us inside his new album — True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter — on which he plays piano, sings, orchestrates, arranges and conducts.

Nov 6, 2019 • 26:35

Soundboard: Ralph Alessi

Soundboard: Ralph Alessi

Quieting the Mind Jazz trumpeter and composer Ralph Alessi talks about the practice of improvisation and the art of jazz.

Oct 21, 2019 • 32:44

Soundboard: Robert Glasper (The Prequel)

Soundboard: Robert Glasper (The Prequel)

Radiohead Is The New Cole Porter Steinway Artist Robert Glasper launched the Soundboard podcast. In honor of the multi–Grammy winning jazz pianist's October takeover at Blue Note New York, we offer a prequel interview with Glasper, live from the Steinway Factory in New York City.

Oct 2, 2019 • 22:44

Soundboard: Jesse Carmichael

Soundboard: Jesse Carmichael

A Well-Balanced Meal Steinway Artist Jesse Carmichael took a year-and-a-half hiatus from the chart-topping pop-rock band Maroon Five to pursue studies in music and the healing arts. During this time, he started a musical side project called 1863. He speaks to Soundboard producer/host Ben Finane about his influences, and writing and performing music.

Sep 11, 2019 • 23:26

Soundboard: Stewart Copeland

Soundboard: Stewart Copeland

'Making Music Do What You Need It To Do' If you still think of Stewart Copeland as the progressive drummer for the seminal rock band The Police, that’s so “four operas ago.” His second act as a film composer and performing-arts collaborator has been unfolding for over thirty years. He speaks to Soundboard producer/host Ben Finane about his experiences in and lessons gleaned from orchestral music.

Jul 25, 2019 • 28:40

Soundboard: John O'Conor

Soundboard: John O'Conor

Don't Sleep On Haydn Steinway Artist John O'Conor discusses his love for Haydn Sonatas and John Field Nocturnes with Soundboard producer/host Ben Finane at New York City's Steinway Hall.

Jul 6, 2019 • 21:17

Soundboard: David Fung

Soundboard: David Fung

'Dad, Here's Where You're Wrong....' Steinway Artist David Fung discusses his forthcoming album of Mozart sonatas for the Steinway & Sons label with Soundboard producer/host Ben Finane in New York City.

Jun 21, 2019 • 31:14

Soundboard: Regina Spektor

Soundboard: Regina Spektor

Until the Jell-O Sets Steinway Artist Regina Spektor talks about her creative process in advance of her five-concert retrospective on Broadway. The Soviet–born American singer–songwriter spoke to Soundboard producer/host Ben Finane at New York City's Steinway Hall.

Jun 6, 2019 • 27:48

Soundboard: Olga Kern

Soundboard: Olga Kern

Oh, Sergei! Steinway Artist Olga Kern, who won the eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2001, speaks to Soundboard producer/host Ben Finane at New York City's Steinway Hall about her love for the music of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff.

May 24, 2019 • 31:39

Soundboard: Scott Price

Soundboard: Scott Price

My Show Will Go On Steinway Artist Scott Price is the musical director for Céline Dion, one of the best-selling artists of all time. Price takes us behind-the-scenes of working with the diva superstar.

May 10, 2019 • 23:21

Soundboard: Michael Idov

Soundboard: Michael Idov

Making The Most of Things Michael Idov's fortunes as a writer dramatically changed for the better following the publication in 2005 of “Bitter Brew”, an article he penned for Slate.com about his failed business venture to launch a café in New York City.

Apr 25, 2019 • 34:53

Soundboard: Sean Jones

Soundboard: Sean Jones

'What America Tries To Sweep Under The Rug' Sean Jones, trumpeter and bandleader for NYO Jazz (Carnegie Hall’s Jazz National Youth Orchestra), talks jazz, race, and music education.

Apr 12, 2019 • 28:49

Soundboard: Simon Mulligan

Soundboard: Simon Mulligan

Who Wants To Live Forever? Steinway Artist Simon Mulligan is the most recorded pianist for the Steinway & Sons Spirio, the world’s finest high resolution player piano. Mulligan discusses his arrangements for the instrument, including songs by Queen, with Soundboard producer and host Ben Finane.

Mar 29, 2019 • 35:23

Soundboard: Moira Lo Bianco

Soundboard: Moira Lo Bianco

Improvisation Without Borders Pianist/composer and Steinway Artist Moira Lo Bianco explores the imaginative possibilities of improvisation across musical genres and styles.

Mar 7, 2019 • 37:07

Soundboard: Tim Berne

Soundboard: Tim Berne

On Jazz & Improvisation Jazz alto saxophonist Tim Berne's latest release — along with guitarist David Torn and percussionist Ches Smith — is SUN OF GOLDFINGER on ECM records. Berne is also the frontman for the jazz quintet Tim Berne’s Snakeoil. He speaks with Soundboard producer and host Ben Finane on finding your groove in improvisation.

Feb 22, 2019 • 32:18

Soundboard: Reid & Sara Farrington

Soundboard: Reid & Sara Farrington

On experimental theater and Marlon Brando Reid and Sara Farrington are a husband-and-wife, director-and-playwright New York City theater team. Their current work in progress is BrandoCapote, based on Truman Capote’s 1957 New Yorker Magazine profile of Marlon Brando, “The Duke in His Domain.” The play is the Farringtons’ follow-up to the 2017 Drama Desk–nominated “CasablancaBox.” With host Ben Finane, the Farringtons discuss Marlon Brando, Truman Capote, and creating theater from unlikel

Feb 7, 2019 • 37:48

Soundboard: Natasha Paremski

Soundboard: Natasha Paremski

On performing Pictures at an Exhibition Natasha Paremski discusses tackling Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and premiering Fred Hersch's Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky — and speaks to the greatness of Sviatoslav Richter.

Jan 24, 2019 • 34:15

Soundboard: Marc-André Hamelin

Soundboard: Marc-André Hamelin

Intrepid Explorations Marc-André Hamelin discusses the music of Debussy, Feinberg, Haydn, Liszt, Ives and more.

Jan 14, 2019 • 23:11

Soundboard: Davell Crawford

Soundboard: Davell Crawford

Music from the Tribe Davell Crawford discusses the rich jazz tradition of New Orleans, the fall of New York, moving forward, and employing the multiple personalities that live within you.

Dec 27, 2018 • 34:08

Soundboard: Bill Murray

Soundboard: Bill Murray

Music In Words Bill Murray discusses American letters, Mark Twain, James Thurber, absurdity vs. ridiculousness, failure, getting to work, writing vs. acting, rhythm and flow, and improvisation.

Dec 13, 2018 • 16:37

Soundboard: Billy Joel

Soundboard: Billy Joel

Same Hits, Different Day Steinway Artist Billy Joel talks about the staying power of his music, the alchemy and process of songwriting, the origins of his aesthetic, Beethoven and The Beatles, and what he's trying to learn now.

Nov 29, 2018 • 20:02

Soundboard: Paul Lewis

Soundboard: Paul Lewis

A deep dive into Beethoven, Schubert and Mussorgsky On this episode of Soundboard, Ben Finane speaks with English pianist and Steinway Artist Paul Lewis on Beethoven, Schubert, their musical personalities, taking a deep dive, the trials of chamber music and the magic of Mussorgsky.

May 2, 2016 • 22:54

Soundboard: Robert Glasper

Soundboard: Robert Glasper

Crossing over and showing all your sides On this episode of Soundboard, Ben Finane speaks with jazzman and Steinway Artist Robert Glasper on crossing over, showing all your sides, Radiohead, jazz reference points, hip-hop and the ancient art of the loop, and Thelonious Monk.

May 2, 2016 • 27:17

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