Episode 8: Impromptus & Improvisation

The Chopin Podcast

In Episode 8, pianist Garrick Ohlsson explores the wonders inside Chopin Four Impromptus; we welcome back Cambridge Professor of Music John Rink to introduce us to Chopin the improviser; and we’ll be joined by two classical-pianists and improvisers: 1995 International Chopin Competition bronze medalist and celebrated improviser Gabriela Montero, and Professor of Improvisation at the State University of Music & the Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Noam Sivan. Finally, music critic Jed Distler will recommend some very special recordings of Chopin’s Impromptus from the past century.

This podcast is produced in partnership with the Chopin Foundation of the United States, which presents the National Chopin Competition every 5 years. The Chopin Podcast comes on the eve of the 11th National Chopin Competition, to be held in Miami in January 2025. For more, visit chopin.org.

Reserve your seats for earlier rounds and purchase your tickets to the final round of the National Chopin Competition: https://www.chopin.org/2025-competition-schedule

Each episode in this series is dedicated to one of Chopin's major compositional genres, and features Garrick as well as special guests approaching the pieces within that genre from a number of different angles – analytically, historically, and pianistically. Follow us at chopinpodcast.com.

Created and hosted by Ben Laude.