Soundboard
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.
Fri, July 12, 2024
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.
Fri, May 10, 2024
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.
Sat, April 20, 2024
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.
Wed, July 19, 2023
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.
Thu, June 08, 2023
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.
Sat, April 01, 2023
Soundboard: Alexander Krichel
‘You Should Try To Look Forward’ Steinway Artist Alexander Krichel joins Soundboard to celebrate Sergei Rachmaninoff's 150th birthday.
Thu, November 24, 2022
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.
Tue, May 24, 2022
Soundboard: Gerardo Teissonnière
‘And Then Came Beethoven’ Steinway Artist Gerardo Teissonnière discusses the wonder of Beethoven's Last Sonatas.
Fri, April 08, 2022
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.
Fri, February 25, 2022
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.
Mon, January 24, 2022
Soundboard: Rufus Wainwright
‘A Strange Osmosis’ Steinway Artist Rufus Wainwright takes us behind his live album with Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
Fri, January 07, 2022
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.
Fri, September 24, 2021
Soundboard: Kristhyan Benitez
‘Music Is Infinite’ Steinway Artist Kristhyan Benitez discusses the rich diaspora of Latin American piano music.
Fri, August 20, 2021
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.
Fri, July 23, 2021
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.
Fri, July 09, 2021
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.
Fri, June 25, 2021
Soundboard: On Alfred Brendel
‘A Quiet Legend’ Composer Daniel Felsenfeld wonders at the brilliance of Steinway Artist Alfred Brendel.
Fri, June 04, 2021
Soundboard: On Van Cliburn
An Unforeseen Ambassador Steinway Immortal Van Cliburn and legacy of classical music in America
Sat, May 22, 2021
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.
Sat, May 08, 2021
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.
Fri, April 09, 2021
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.
Fri, March 26, 2021
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.’
Fri, March 12, 2021
Soundboard: Ray Angry
‘Music Should Be Fun’ Steinway Artist Ray Angry takes us on his journey from classical pianist to polymath producer.
Fri, February 19, 2021
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.
Fri, February 05, 2021
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.
Fri, January 22, 2021
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.
Fri, January 08, 2021
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.
Fri, December 04, 2020
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.
Wed, November 11, 2020
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.
Thu, October 29, 2020
Soundboard: Lauren Sclafani
‘Every Piano Is Different’ Piano Technician and Audio Engineer Lauren Sclafani discusses her craft.
Wed, October 21, 2020
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.
Thu, September 24, 2020
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.
Thu, September 10, 2020
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.
Thu, August 20, 2020
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.
Thu, July 09, 2020
Soundboard: Michael Gallant
‘Losing Myself in the Music’ The pianist Michael Gallant discusses how he creates solo-piano covers of rock classics.
Wed, July 01, 2020
Soundboard: Ahmad Jamal
‘I Like To Go Forward’ Steinway Artist Ahmad Jamal discusses his influences and approach to music.
Tue, June 16, 2020
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.
Tue, June 09, 2020
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.
Tue, June 02, 2020
Soundboard: Chad Lawson
"Quiet Instrumental Music" Composer and Steinway Artist Chad Lawson unpacks his philosophy behind his minimalist aesthetic.
Tue, May 26, 2020
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.
Tue, May 19, 2020
Soundboard: Anny Hwang
'You Have To Groove' Steinway Artist Anny Hwang talks about making classical music more flexible and getting her Gershwin to groove.
Tue, May 12, 2020
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.
Tue, May 05, 2020
Soundboard: Connie Han
Straight Ahead Steinway Artist Connie Han talks jazz influences and the importance of a jazz language we can all comprehend.
Tue, April 28, 2020
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.
Sat, February 15, 2020
Soundboard: Pascal Rogé
Debussy Pour Toujours Steinway Artist Pascal Rogé reveals why there is always more to say about Claude Debussy.
Mon, January 27, 2020
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.
Thu, January 09, 2020
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.
Fri, December 20, 2019
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.
Thu, December 05, 2019
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.
Thu, November 21, 2019
Soundboard: Mason Bates
The Psychology of Listening Grammy Award–winning composer Mason Bates speaks to the wedding of classical music and electronica.
Wed, November 06, 2019
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.
Mon, October 21, 2019
Soundboard: Ralph Alessi
Quieting the Mind Jazz trumpeter and composer Ralph Alessi talks about the practice of improvisation and the art of jazz.
Wed, October 02, 2019
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.
Wed, September 11, 2019
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.
Thu, July 25, 2019
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.
Sat, July 06, 2019
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.
Fri, June 21, 2019
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.
Thu, June 06, 2019
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.
Fri, May 24, 2019
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.
Fri, May 10, 2019
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.
Thu, April 25, 2019
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.
Fri, April 12, 2019
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.
Fri, March 29, 2019
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.
Thu, March 07, 2019
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.
Fri, February 22, 2019
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.
Thu, February 07, 2019
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 unlikely sources.
Thu, January 24, 2019
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.
Mon, January 14, 2019
Soundboard: Marc-André Hamelin
Intrepid Explorations Marc-André Hamelin discusses the music of Debussy, Feinberg, Haydn, Liszt, Ives and more.
Thu, December 27, 2018
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.
Thu, December 13, 2018
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.
Thu, November 29, 2018
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.
Mon, May 02, 2016
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.
Mon, May 02, 2016
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.
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